09: The Day of the Lord – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : Zephaniah’s message shows the nearness of a universal judgment including God’s own people, and a promise that the saved from all nations will enjoy God’s blessings..
[Teaching plan for The Day of the Lord May 27, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Zephaniah 2:1-3.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does a person seek righteousness and meekness?
C. Personal Application: What kind of situations have you or could you face where all the money of the world couldn’t save you?.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Is it worse to be doing bad things to people, or to see these things and do nothing about them? Why are so many people indifferent to others sinful and criminal behavior?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Zephaniah 3:1-5.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Who is being condemned here and why are they condemned? Share.
C. Personal Application: How can God’s people, even religious leaders, who have given so much truth and insight, end up so corrupt and evil? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “This is not talking about individuals; it’s speaking of a city or community. Does that mean everyone in the community is held guilty, or does God save individuals in the community, even though it is evil? God didn’t bring many out of Sodom, nor did He save many in the flood.” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Zephaniah 3:9-13.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is this assuring that there will not be ignorantly loud, argumentative, bossy, stubborn, and aggressive people in heaven? Aren’t most people like that? Doesn’t society feed and encourage that type of behavior?
C. Personal Application: What character traits do you need the Lord’s help in overcoming in your life? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Do you think we will all speak the same language in heaven – like it was before the tower of Babel? Will it be Hebrew or something else?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Nahum 1:7-11.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does Nahum say that affliction shall not rise up a second time? Is this an assurance that once Satan and all who did not trust in Jesus are burned up, sin and rebellion will never happen again?
C. Personal Application: Is verse 11 speaking about Satan or a wicked leader in Assyria here? 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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