Our friends from the Bible Project introduce the book of Amos this way::
Amos was a shepherd and fig tree who lived right near the border between northern Israel and southern Judah. The north had seized its independence about 150 years earlier and was currently being ruled by Jeroboam II, a successful military leader. He won battles and new territory for Israel, which generated lots of new wealth. But in the eyes of the prophets, he was one of the worst kings ever. His wealth had led to social apathy, and he had allowed idol worship of the Canaanite gods, all of which led to injustice and neglect of the poor.
It got to the point where Amos couldn’t take it anymore. He sensed God’s call to trek up north to Bethel, an important city with a large temple, to start announcing God’s word to the people. This book is a collection of his sermons, poems, and visions uttered over the years. They were later compiled to give God’s people a sense of his divine message to the northern kingdom—a message we still need to hear today.
For context, click on the link to the Bible Project video and then read the book of Amos. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/amos/
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 the person of Amos as described in Amos 7.14-15 and answer the following questions:
5. Amos says, “I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet…” God chooses an ordinary shepherd, tree farmer to send His message to Israel. How does this encourage you to remember that it’s not only the paid staff, or elders whom God chooses to share the Good News, but all of us, including you?
6. What is your greatest hesitation in sharing the Good News with those closest to you?
Read and reflect on the words of Joel in chapter 4-5 and answer the following questions:
7. Where do you see God addressing the sin of injustice and self-righteousness? How do you see God at work today in addressing these same sins?
8. God and His people are called to advocate for the “The quartet of the vulnerable.” Where in Scripture do you see Jesus advocating for widows, orphans, foreigners and the poor?
9. How might Jesus be inviting you to partner with Him in working for justice for the vulnerable in your world? Describe a time when you were vulnerable, and God came to you through His people? Where might you sense vulnerability in your own story? How might God’s people “seek justice” on your behalf?
10. The people of Israel had lost their love of God, and their worship became a ritual. What happens to the fabric of a neighborhood when the local church loses its first love?
Read and reflect on the words of Amos 7.1-6 and answer the following questions:
11. Amos is standing in God’s presence on behalf of the people of Israel. What is the outcome of his intercession? How does this encounter encourage you?
12. For whom are you travailing, suffering with, suffering for “until Christ is formed in you.” Who is travailing for you?
Read and reflect on, “The Servant’s Song” in Isaiah 53 and the truth that God takes sin seriously. Answer the questions that follow:
13. How seriously does God take sin? How does His seriousness in regard to sin call for your obedience and worship?
14. How do you see the cross as the greatest example of justice ever enacted on earth?
15. How do you sense God inviting you to “come back to me?”
