January 27, 2013

We are back to Amos this week as we focus on Amos 5:1-6:14. The focus is on arrogance that leads to empty worship, ungodly attitudes, and disrespect for others. It is easy to nationalize this message for the United States but remember the message is for God's people--in our context, that is His church. There is certainly applications and parallels we can draw to our nation but we are the salt and light in this nation as believers.

Use any of the suggestions below to supplement your Discover Guide plans or Leader Guide teaching plans.

The Target

Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding, and doing.

The target can best be summarized this week by leading adults to answer the question, "I'm not a hypocrite, am I?" The goal is to help adults identify ways they substitute selfish living for God-pleasing conduct at home,work, church and to determine ways God wants them to demonstrate justice and righteousness.

Look Up

Use "Soft Methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are visiting and gathering for Bible study.

Option One: Display a Sunday paper on a table or chair in the front of the room. As adults settle in,  call attention to the paper and ask: "Why is the Sunday paper so much bigger than weekday editions?" Ask them to consider if it is because publishers view Sunday as the one day of the week when readers have the most free time. Do you agree with this statement: "The Sabbath has become a day when believers have many choices. We can stay home and read the paper, watch the NFL playoffs, go shopping, take a nap, or participate in a myriad of other work and leisure activities. Oh yes, attending worship is an option for Sundays, too!"

Ask: How might the work "selfish" be used to describe our Sunday behavior? Transition to the introduction of the lesson.

(based on QuickSource, p43)

Option Two: Place a football in a chair in the center of the room. As adults settle in, give the football to someone and ask them if they plan on playing in the Superbowl next Sunday? Carry on a dialogue trying to convince them that they could play because they are holding a football. Offer to get them a uniform so they would look better. Explain how you can't substitute external appearances for inner reality. Explain the people of Israel had a religious appearance but that did not make them qualified for what God expected from them. Transition to the introduction of the lesson.

(based on ETB Leader Guide, p102)

Look In

Ideas for communicating and studying the Word

Context
I suggest you review the context of Amos again so you can be reminded of the conditions Amos was living in. You can do a quick review with this link:  Amos Introduction.

Chapters 5-6 focuses on the Israelites' arrogance in two major areas:

1. They thought their status as God's people and their religious observances made them immune to God's wrath.
2. Those with political connections used their positions for self-enrichment and self-indulgence.

"The fact that the people had enjoyed a period of success and prosperity under Jeroboam II fostered such arrogance. The people had come to think of God's blessing in the form of wealth as their birthright.

Amos warned that they were soon to hear God's verdict. Their wealth, their nation, and their pride would lie in ruins."

(ETB Commentary, p91)

Amos starts off in chapter 5 stating that he is singing a "lament." Verses 5-17 is basically a dirge, or a death-song, warning the nation of the Lord's displeasure. In Amos 5:18 he transitions to a "woe" form which is used to condemn specific actions and to announce coming doom.

Amos 5:4-6 (God or Idols?)

Discussion Options:

• How do we allow a passion for God to grow cold? How can we avoid letting worship become ritual? (Discovery Study Guide, p63)
• What does a true worshiper look like? Among the folks you know, who fits that description? (DSG, p63)
• Would those who know you best say your life is marked by empty worship or genuine faith? Why? (DSG, p63)
• What is the difference, if any, between seeking God and going to church? Explain (ETB Leader, p97)
• What does seeking God really look like? How do you know you are seeking God?

Emphasize: The word "seek" carries with it a heightened degree of deliberateness--to "seek carefully." (see ETB Leader, p97).

Explain: Use your study of the ETB Leader, the Discovery Study Guide, or your own commentaries to explain how the new sanctuaries violated God's clear instruction in the law (Deut. 12:1-7). The Lord had designated the temple in Jerusalem as the one authorized worship center for His covenant people (2 Chron. 7:16). After the nation divided, the ruler of the Northern Kingdom established new sanctuaries to discourage his people from traveling to Jerusalem. He promoted worship at a number of pilgrimage shrines rather than at the Jerusalem temple. This practice had continued. See the following link for further information: Amos 5:5 Info

Optional Teaching Video: Use to review the meaning of these passages or to present to the group: Amos 5:4-6

Transitional Information: In verses 7-17, Amos describes the corruption of the courts and the government and how this led to the mistreatment of people.

Amos 5:18-20 (Rescue or Revenge?)
Discussion Options:

• Imagine looking forward to the day your house was going to burn to the ground. Or the day your car would be stolen. Or a war would erupt in your hometown. Sounds crazy but this is what Amos said about the "Day of the Lord."
• When you think about Jesus coming back what do you envision? How does that shape the way you live?
•  If a "Day of the Lord" such as the Northern Kingdom experienced too place in our lifetime, would it bring prosperity or judgement on the church? On our nation? Explain. (see ETB Leader, p98)
• What is the danger in focusing on the sins of others instead of dealing with our own sin? (DSG, p64)

Explain: Use notes and your own personal study to explain the term, "Day of the Lord." The Israelites' assumed they were exempt from any judgement. They felt the day of the Lord was a day of vengeance for their enemies and there would not be an accounting for their sin.

"Because their relationship with God had become self-centered, they had convinced themselves that the day would include God's vengeance on their behalf. Their big God would come and teach everybody else a lesson." (DSG, 64)

Amos 5:21-24 (Rituals or Right Living?)
Discussion Options:

• What was the problem with the Israelites' sacrifices? (The worshipers' impure, insincere hearts.)
• Wasn't faithfulness to observe all the offerings and rituals enough? Why not?
• What are some worship practices or rituals we observe? How do you view them? How does it change the way you treat others? God?
• What does God desire from His people the most? What does that kind of life look like in our society?

Explanations:

• Solemn assemblies - convocations, or communal gatherings, held on the final day of the Feat of Booths (see Lev. 23:36; Neh. 8:18).
• Burnt offerings - designed to indicate the worshiper's complete devotion to the Lord.
• Grain offerings - consisted of the first portion of a farmer's harvest and expressed one's giving priority to God in all things.
• Fellowship offerings - were an expression of gratitude to God for blessings received.
• God would have no regard for a hypocritical show of religion which is what these offerings had become.
• Justice and righteousness (v24) - this is what God wants and it required a change of heart and a change of lifestyle. They were to live differently, and treat God and people differently.

 Amos 6:1-7 (Ourselves or Others?)
Discussion Options:

• What signs of wealth and prosperity are described in these verse? What are signs of wealth we might recognize today? (DSG, p65)
• What kind of lifestyle is described in these passages?
• What were their attitudes about their wealth?
• Why would they be the first to go into exile?
• What was the result of their self-centered lifestyle? (They didn't grieve over the ruin of Joseph - another name for Israel. Spiritual decay had led to moral decay and they didn't even notice or care.)
• In what ways do you see lifestyles of ease and spiritual complacency manifested in today's culture? How can Christians best respond? (ETB Leaders Guide, p103)
• What cautions can we take from this passage to apply to our lives today? (DSG, p65)
• What material possession means the most to you? How might that (or any) possibly be drawing you away from God? (DSG, p65)

Look Out
Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.

Ideas for application:

• Ask the group to write down their response in their study guide to the following questions: What types of selfish living has been revealed in your life today - at home, work, church? What changes will it require in your life to focus back on living for God?
• Plan to sacrifice some "me time" this week and use that time in some act of kindness for someone else in the name of Christ. (QuickSource, p42)
• On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being "low" and 10 "high"), how would you rate the level of hypocrisy in your life? How does that affect your ability to live a genuine faith each day? What actions do you need to take to correct this?
• If you are using the Discovery Study Guide I suggest you ask the group to complete one or two of the actions on the Intentional Living page (p66).

Operation Reclamation Reminders and Hints

We begin our focus this Sunday on reconnecting with those who are not as connected to Northside. I pray God will use your group to reach or offer hope and encouragement to those who need it.

As you talk with your group Sunday here are some helpful tips:

1. Distribute the individual names to members of your group. Don't try to contact everyone yourself. 
2. Use this emphasis to teach your group how to make contacts. This is part of "teaching people how to study and live the Bible" we discussed Sunday.
3. You know your group better than anyone else. If you already have a strong system of contacting and the people on the list are already contacted there might not be a need to change. But consider using this as an alternative way to involve the rest of your group in a concerted effort.
4. If you know personal situations in which a contact isn't appropriate please feel free not give out that person(s) information.
5. Let us know any changes. If someone is attending another church or has moved away let us know by writing the information on the sheet and putting it in the slot with your attendance sheet on Sunday.
6. This is about rebuilding relationships. I pray God will use this to help you lead your class to think about those who are in need of a contact, prayer, or an encouraging word.

Contact Actions for  the week of: January 27-February 2