MESSAGE NOTES AND INDIVIDUAL/GROUP REFLECTION QUESTIONS, 7/21/24
Seek God by seeking good. This is the command the book of Amos begs to understand. Uniquely among the minor prophets, Amos zeros in on Israel’s injustice towards the poor. He indicts them for their failure to be generous as God had been generous to them.
As we journey together, we want to identify what injustices are occurring in the world around us. Then, our hope is to determine what is the justice God wants to bring forth through us.
This week, we conclude our series with a focus on Amos chapters 7-9.
- As we end the Amos series, how has God given you greater awareness of issues of justice in the world around you? What is good and or challenging about your fresh perspective? How does it make you feel?
- Read Amos 7:1-6. In both the visions of locusts and fire, Amos intercedes, and God shows mercy. How does this encourage you in your own prayer life, particularly when interceding for others or for your community? What does this say about Amos and God? And how is this confusing?
- Read Amos 7:7-9. The plumb line symbolizes God’s standard of righteousness. What is God’s plumb line for justice in this world? What hinders us and those in our society from living up to this standard?
- Read Amos 7:10-17. Amos faced opposition from Amaziah when he spoke out against corruption and injustice. Have you ever experienced resistance when standing up for what is right? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Read Amos 8:11-12. speaks of a famine of hearing God’s words. Why do you think God would go to this extreme in His judgment? Where else in the Bible is this similar?
- Read Amos 9. Despite the severe judgments, Amos concludes with a promise of restoration and hope. How does it make you feel about God? Does this seem fair? How did you expect Amos to end?
- Based on your journey in Amos, what are 1-3 takeaways you have gained about God and justice? What next steps do you need to take to make forward progress in your journey of being not just a person of compassion, but of justice.
Resources
- Amos Reading Plan Bookmark
- Video Overview of Amos
- LMDJ Organizations to support or participate in
Opportunities
- Amos Discussion Group, Wednesday nights, June 12-July 24, 6:30-8 p.m. in Sustad Chapel
- The Enneagram and the Pursuit of Justice, Saturday, August 17, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Triangle Room. Exploration of how your unique personality is made to engage in justice.