Key Thought: Amos shows us that there are only two choices; life and death, and the stark difference between the two.

[Teaching plan for Seek the Lord and Live April 29, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Amos 5:14,15

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we discern the difference between what is good and what is evil? How could we define the two concepts?
C. Personal Application: What things in your culture or society that once were considered taboo or bad, are now accepted or not considered wrong anymore? How does it affect your thinking as culture changes? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How could anyone call evil good and good evil? Is there any evidence of that in today’s society?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Amos 8:11,12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. When the plagues fall, people will come to us asking for help; but what can we say except that it’s too late? How does this thought affect your willingness and urgency to share God’s Word now?
C. Personal Application: In what ways could God be silent and not listen to us or to our prayers? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “My pastor says that in the future nobody will be able to have a Bible. The authorities will take them away from us, and when people want to know why bad things are happening, they will search for Bibles, but won’t be able to find one.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Amos 7:10-13.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why wouldn’t the leaders of a nation, led and guided by prophets throughout their history, not listen to a prophet when he speaks to them? Do you think there were a lot of prophets speaking God’s word then?
C. Personal Application: Who are the false prophets today saying they speak for God but are only in it for the money, power, or prestige? Are there false prophets who are sincere, but sincerely wrong? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Do you think Christians will be accused of being against the government and unpatriotic because they refuse to follow the governmental laws that conflict with the laws of God?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Amos 5:23,24.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we make religious songs and rituals meaningful and not mere repetition?
C. Personal Application: As we see the natural disasters increasing in number and intensity, how does that make you feel about the closeness of the Lord’s return and the time of trouble that comes first? Are you ready for the storm? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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