Lesson 5 Seek The Lord and Live (Amos)

Hate Evil, Love Good

1. Which is worse to pay a bribe or to accept one? 
2. Which would you rather be, the oppressor or the oppressed?
3. Why is God not concerned when the rich are cheated?
4. How can we know if one is unjustly oppressed or if the treatment is justified?

Religion as Usual

1. How can I know if my worship is genuine or fake?
2. What makes worship fake?
3. Is fake prayer and praise worse than no prayer and praise? Why or why not?

Called to be Prophet 

1. Why is society reluctant to accept a live person as a prophet?
2. Why are some prophets reluctant to claim to be a prophet? Why did Amos say he was not a prophet when he was one?  Why did Ellen White say "I do not claim to be a prophet?"
3. How easy is it to rebuke someone?  Why did Nathan start condemning David with a parable about a sheep?

The Worst Type of Famine

1. Does God really withhold himself from a people or is it just that they close themselves to Him?
2. If a person is sincerely seeking God, won't God be happy to make Himself known?
3. Is it possible to reverse the unpardonable sin: the grieving away of the Holy Spirit?

Judah's Ruins Restored

1. Has Israel as a nation been rejected forever? Can they be God's chosen nation again?
2. When a prophecy is not fulfilled how may one know that it was conditional and not a false prophecy?
3. On what basis can one say that it was fulfilled but in a different way, maybe again and again?  On what basis can one say "yes, this is what the prophet was talking about?"

Lesson 4, Lord of All Nations (Amos)

Crimes Against Humanity

1. How can I know when disciplining those under me whether I am treating them fairly or unjustly?
2. Why was it okay sometimes for nations to fight and punish other nations and sometimes wrong? How would they know when it was OK?

Justice for the Oppressed

1. Why doesn't God protect the helpless and innocent instead of punishing the guilty after the injustice is committed?
2. Is it wrong for one to live in super luxury if one can afford it?  Why or why not?

The Peril of Privilege

1. Is it fair for God to have a chosen nation? 
2. Should favourite children get punished more than their siblings when they do wrong?
3. Would you like to be privileged and held more responsible and accountable?

Israel's Rendezvous with God.

1. Why did prophets speak with sarcasm so often? Is it impolite to speak sarcastically? 
2. How can I know if drought, famine, and other disasters are happenings in nature or God's attempts to bring a nation back to Him?  If there is a shortage of water does it mean a city has abandoned God?

The Pride that Leads to a Fall

1. Do proud people fall more than humble people?
2. Why are brother countries such as Israel and Edom the bitterest enemies?
3. Why is it important for us to pay heed to what a prophet spoke hundreds of years ago in a different context?
4. Why do the wealthy ignore the plight of the oppressed?

A Holy and Just God (Joel)

A National Disaster

1. Which is worse for a nation, a natural disaster or an invasion? What did King David prefer when given a choice by the prophet Nathan as punishment from God for counting his soldiers? Why did he choose what he did?
2. Are some natural disasters freaks, or are all sent by either God or the devil?

Blow the Trumpet

1. Is there any connection between the spirituality and the prosperity of an individual? What about a nation in Bible times?  What about a nation today? Is there any difference?  Why?
2. Does revival and reformation bring restoration of fortunes?

The Gift of God's Spirit

1. Why is rain an appropriate symbol for the Holy Spirit?
2. Are there seasons of the rain of the Holy Spirit such as "early rain" and "latter rain," or does the outpouring reflect times when our hearts are open and receptive?

Proclaiming God's Name

1. Was what happened in the skies in the 1800's the only fulfillment of Joel's prophecies of the sun and moon darkening, or one of several? Can we expect another fulfillment in the future?
2. Is there any inherent power in uttering the name of Jesus by those who are sick, or demon possessed, or does it have to go with faith to have positive results?

The Refuge in Times of Trouble

1. Why does trouble drive some people away from God and at the same time bring others running to Him? What makes the difference?
2. Are we really in the end-time or is this a gimmick of the church to frighten people through the ages?
3. How can I know if my relationship with God is genuine or superficial? 

Love and Judgement: God's Dilemma

Easily  Deceived and Senseless

1. Which is better to have, a wonderful land that everyone is fighting for, or a quiet place that nobody else fights over? How does a country choose allies?
2. Why does a strong human / political ally seem preferable to trusting in God?

A Trained Heifer

1. How easy is it to do what God wants?
2. What does Jesus mean when He says, "My yoke is easy?"  Why use the word 'yoke?'

A Toddling Son

1. Why does a toddler run away from a parent?  What brings the toddler running back? What about a teenager?  How do parents feel about the going and returning of a child?
2. Why do we run away from God? (Good times or bad times). What brings us back?  How does God feel about our going and coming?

Compassion Stronger than Anger

1. Did a person born into Israel receive more compassion and opportunities from God than one born in Sodom? Why or why not?
2. Shouldn't a nation such as Israel which had been given more knowledge and opportunities be held more accountable and be punished more harshly than a places like Sodom and Gomorrah?
3. On what basis are individuals and nations granted mercy?
4. Do parents seem to love one child more than another? What is the basis for this?  Is it fair?

Healed, Loved and Nurtured

1. Why does the God of the New Testament seem gentler and more merciful than the God of the Old Testament?
2. What holds a rebel child at home better, strict surveillance and locked doors or freedom and love?
3. How do you hold on to a person that does not love you any more?