Micah’s book begins with a description of judgments, but it ends with words of hope. There are people who try to explain away or deny the reality of God’s judgments. To do so is to fall into the trap that Micah’s contemporaries did, those who believed that God never would send judgments on the chosen … Continue reading –>
In the beginning of Micah 6, God dialogues with His people, listing all the things that He has done on their behalf. In response, the worshiper who comes into the temple asks what he might do to please God. What is it that constitutes an acceptable offering: year-old calves, a multitude of rams, rivers of oil, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Micah could see evil and violence creeping into Judah and preached against dishonesty, injustice, bribery, and mistrust; but also offered encouraging words of hope. [Teaching plan for God’s Special People May 13, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Micah 6:8 A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main … Continue reading –>
In Micah’s book the mood often drastically changes from gloom to sublime hope. This hope is seen in one of the most famous of all the Messianic prophecies. Read Micah 5:2. Who is being spoken about here and what does this teach us about Him? See also John 1:1-3, 8:58, Col. 1:16-17. Out of a little Judean town would … Continue reading –>
Read Micah 2:1-11 and Micah 3. What are the sins that threaten to bring judgment upon these people? “The accession of Ahaz to the throne brought Isaiah and his associates face to face with conditions more appalling than any that had hitherto existed in the realm of Judah. Many who had formerly withstood the seductive influence of idolatrous … Continue reading –>
In Micah 1:1-9, the prophet invites the whole earth to witness God’s judgment against sinful people. The capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem are singled out because their leaders failed to be role models of what it means to follow God with undivided hearts. These two cities would be the first to suffer destruction. The thought … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Mic. 1:1-9, 2 Cor. 11:23-27, Mic. 2:1-11, 5:2, 6:1-8, 7:18-20. Memory Text: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). Key Thought: Even amid the worst apostasy, the Lord was willing to forgive … Continue reading –>
Read the following quotations and discuss how they help us to understand the messages from the book of Jonah more clearly. “Whenever they are in need the children of God have the precious privilege of appealing to Him for help. It matters not how unsuitable the place may be, God’s ear of mercy is open … Continue reading –>
“‘But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord’” (Jonah 2:9, NIV). [Thought questions for Eager to Forgive May 8, 2013] 1. The poetry of Jonah. Is the entire book of Jonah or just the song he writes from the belly … Continue reading –>
Read Jonah 4 . What important lessons did Jonah need to learn? How is his own hypocrisy revealed here? Jonah 4 reveals some startling things about the prophet. He seems to prefer to die rather than to witness about God’s grace and forgiveness. Whereas before Jonah had rejoiced in his deliverance from death (Jon. 2:7-9), now that Nineveh … Continue reading –>
