Lesson 9 (May 25-31), The Day of the Lord (Micah)

Is standing by, doing nothing when evil is committed, any better than doing the wicked things?  Why or why not? How much should I get involved against evil around me, and what is not my business?

A Day of Darkness

1. Is there any judging when Jesus comes back to earth or is that all finished by then?
2. Why is light considered good and darkness bad?
3. In what way is the second coming a day of light?

The Humble of the Land

1. When is the final deadline for salvation?  Why does God not announce when the deadline is so that more people can come to His side?
2. Why is humility pleasing to God, and what makes pride so detestable? How can one know if one is excessively proud?

A Corrupt City

1. Is there more corruption among God's people than in the world?
2. Is it possible to root out corruption? Was Israel and Judah successful in doing so?  Is the church today doing enough to address corruption inside?  What more can be done?

God's Greatest Delight

1. How can a God who knows everything from beginning to end feel sadness and joy?
2. What do we mean by the "enemy within"? Why is the enemy within deadly?
3. Is there any greater relief than the defeat of one's enemy?

God's Answer to Injustice

1. Does God's mercy go against justice? Why or why not?
2. Why didn't God destroy Nineveh in Jonah's time and prevent all the coming cruelty?
3. Why does God not act to prevent injustice rather than wait till it is committed against the innocent?

Lesson 8 (May 18-24) Trusting God's Goodness (Habakkuk)

Is it possible to worship God when we have doubts about His justice?

Perplexed Prophet

1. Why did God not give each of us ability to see into the future so we could live without suspense?
2. How much does a prophet know about the future?
3. When you consider world events how much in control does God seem to be?

Living by Faith

1. Are there degrees of goodness and badness for individuals and nations? 
2. What is the difference in the two statements: "The just shall live by faith;" "The just shall live by faithfulness?" What is meant by "the just?"

For the Earth Shall be Filled

1. What does "Let all the earth keep silence before Him" mean? Is it speaking about reverence or submission to His will?  Are the two related? Can one question God reverently?
2. Why is it better to share complaints with God rather than other humans

Remembering God's Fame

1. How meaningful is it to sing a song composed by someone else? How much of the words are we alert to when we sing in church? 
2. Why should we today sing about the exodus from Egypt?
3. Which is more valuable, to look backward or to look forward?

God is Our Strength

1. How long should I expect to wait for God to answer my questions, complaints and frustrations? What if His answer is just "Trust Me?"
2. What is the purpose of faith? Why does God want us to trust Him blindly?

Lesson 7, God’s Special People (Micah)

Is it ever wrong to show mercy?

Agony of the Prophet’s Heart

1. Which is more difficult and why, to prophesy the final end of your nation or your religious organization?
2. Would knowledge of your full future make you happy or sad?

Those Who Devise Iniquity

1. Who was more to blame for Israel’s moral decline, the priests, the kings or the rich people?
2. How true is it that our church is the final remnant and that it will survive to the very end?  Is it possible that an offshoot might become the true remnant?

A New Ruler from Bethlehem

1. Why would God reveal that the Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem seven centuries before it was to take place?
2. Would Jesus have had greater chance of acceptance if he was born to a noble family in Jerusalem?

What is Good

1. Which is easier, to have correct doctrines or to give generous offerings?
2. Which is harder, to give generous offerings or to love people?
3. Which is harder, to act justly or to show mercy? What is the difference between showing mercy and loving mercy?
4. What does it mean “to walk humbly with God?”

Into the Depths of the Sea

1. In the end, if we don’t make it to heaven will we be punished only for unforgiven sins or will even forgiven ones be called up?
2. If you had to hide something anywhere on this earth, where would you hide it?
3. In the final analysis, is God just or merciful?

Lesson 6, Easy to Forgive (Jonah)

The Disobedient Prophet (Jonah 1)

1. Why didn't God allow Jonah the freedom to disobey Him?
2. Why did Jonah head for Tarshish instead of just staying home?
3. Why didn't Jonah discuss the matter with God when he was first commissioned to go to Nineveh, seeing that he talked quite freely wfith God?

Reluctant Witness

1. Did Jonah convert the sailors?
2. Does God reveal His will through such things as casting lots today? Why or why not?
3. Could Jonah have worked for God in Tarshish?  How can I know if I am where God wants me to be?

Jonah's Psalm

1. Why would Jonah thank God for saving his life while he was still in the belly of the whale?
2. Why are animals more obedient to God than humans?
3. Would you rather drown at sea or be swallowed by a whale?

A Successful Mission

1. How can you account for Jonah's success in Nineveh?  Why do you think the Ninevites responded so readily?t
2. When their city was not destroyed, would the Ninevites have thought Jonah to be a false prophet?  What about the Israelites?
3. What would be the equivalent of tearing our clothes and putting ashes on our head to demonstrate sorrow?

Forgiven Yet Unforgiving?

1. When we forgive others does it do more for us or for them? When God forgives us does it do anything for Him? 
2. What is the difference between God forgiving and humans forgiving?
3. Did Jonah end a success or a failure?