Key Thought: Amos was called to prophesy against a privileged, religious people who oppressed the poor through dishonesty and bribery.

[Teaching plan for Lord of All Nations April 22, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 58:1-7

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is there a place for fasting today? What was wrong with the fasting the Israelites were going through?
C. Personal Application: What is our attitude toward the poor and unfortunate? Do we feel like they put themselves in their situation by bad living and choices? Even if true, should we help them anyway? How can we improve our attitude toward the unfortunate? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “The Jews were self-righteous and smug in their religious life and needed a wakeup call. But this prophecy doesn’t apply to us today. The SDA church is aware and working to help those in need and in oppression. We aren’t in the same condition as Israel was.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 12:47,48.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does the Lord hold those who have had great blessings more accountable than those who haven’t? Doesn’t knowing God automatically bring more blessings than those who don’t know Him or don’t want to know Him?
C. Personal Application: Are we aware of the responsibilities that come with the privileges we have? How can we stop from becoming complacent? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Is this beating with stripes a symbol of the punishment of hellfire – that some will burn and suffer longer than others? Why would God punish those who knew Him longer than those who didn’t seem to care and try to know Him? Doesn’t trying count for more than not caring or listening?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Obadiah 15-17.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How are deliverance, inheritance, and holiness connected in this passage?
C. Personal Application: Should we rejoice when other Christian churches are ridiculed by the world and have fallen leaders? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Adventists shouldn’t rebuke sin and the sinful ways of the world overtly, because it will cause others to want us to fall and bring unwelcome attention to ourselves. We should be good, quiet Christians and mind our own business and stay out of the way.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Amos 4:11,12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is a firebrand plucked out of the burning? Is that your experience, or will it be our experience in the future?
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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