Our friends from the Bible Project introduce the book of Micah this way:
Israel has exploited the poor and twisted the laws of the Torah, and God’s justice means that he will deal with them severely. But Micah’s prophecies are not without hope. The God of Israel is also faithful and full of mercy. God promises to preserve a faithful remnant, from which he will create a new Jerusalem on the other side of sin and exile.
The book of Micah paints a picture of a just yet merciful God. Like a shepherd, God will one day gather and restore a faithful remnant to the land. He will rebuild Jerusalem, defeat evil forever, and send a messianic King to rule over the people and bless all the nations.
For context, click on the link to the Bible Project video and then read the book of Micah. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/micah/
1. After watching the video, and reading the text what do you learn about God’s character?
2. What does it tell you of the nature of God?
3. How do you see God’s love prevailing?
4. How does the text speak most personally to you?
Read and reflect on Micah 6.6-8 and answer the following questions:
5. What is it that God really wants from His people?
6. What is His true desire?
7. What would this world, this neighborhood, your family look like if we re-oriented our lives around this simple call from God?
Read and reflect on the words of Micah in chapter 1.2-5, 2.1-5, 3.9-12 and answer the following questions:
8. What is the specific reason for God’s judgement on the people of Israel?
9.Why does God take sin so seriously?
Read and reflect on the words of Micah 4.1-4 (Isaiah 2.2-4), 5.2-6 and answer the following questions:
10. With each prophecy of judgement comes a prophecy of hope. How do you reconcile both of these dynamics in God’s world?
11. Consider the people of Israel. Time and time again they are hearing these searing prophecies of judgement, and then are in fact are experiencing the pains of oppression, persecution and exile. How might this message of hope be heard by His people?
12. In the midst of your own struggles, challenges, persecution, oppression, how do you hold fast to hope?
13. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Describe a time when this was part of your story?
14. How did you hold onto hope during that season?
15. How did that season change you, shape you, transform you?
Read and reflect on Psalm 33.20-22 and answer the questions that follow:
16. In your own words define hope.
17. What are you ultimately waiting for?
18. How are you currently experiencing His unfailing love?
19. How do you sense God inviting you to “come back to me?”
