Jessica Godfrey

Our friends from the Bible Project introduce the book of Nahum this way: 

The destruction of the Assyrian empire is an image of how God will confront and bring down all violent human empires. This is about God’s commitment to justice, which is as true today as it was in the time of Nahum. While God will defeat human evil, he does not forget the innocent. He promises to provide a refuge on the day of judgment for anyone who humbles themselves before God.

The book of Nahum is a collection of poems announcing the downfall of some of Israel’s worst oppressors. Referencing Daniel, Exodus, and Isaiah, Nahum shows us that the destruction of Nineveh and Assyria are examples of how God works in history in every age.

For context, click on the link to the Bible Project video and then read the book of Nahum.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/nahum/

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? 

Nahum is a follow up to the book of Jonah. Jonah tells the story of Nineveh’s repentance. In Nahum we find the Ninevites have fallen back into sin and darkness and are now facing God’s judgement. How do you reconcile the belief and behavior of the Ninevites, and God’s response? 

Read and reflect on the words of Nahum in chapter 1.2-6, 2.1-7, 3.1-4, and answer the following questions: 

5. One of the central themes of this little book is that God grieves over death, but His goodness and justice compel Him to orchestrate the downfall of oppressive, destructive nations. How do you find this story as another opportunity to humble yourself before God? 

6. What specific sin is called out in these chapters?

7. Why does God take sin so seriously?   

Read and reflect on the words of Nahum 1.7, and answer the following questions: 

8. How are you currently experiencing God’s care? 

9. Describe how God is good to you? 

10. How has He been refuge in times of trouble? Be specific. 

11. How has God used you as His ambassador of care to those around you? How might He desire to use you to be a comfort and refuge to someone in trouble? 

Read and reflect on the words of Nahum 1.15, and answer the following questions: 

12. How does this passage encourage you? How does it engender love of the God of peace? 

13. Consider Isaiah 52.7, and Romans 10.12-15. How do these three passages of Scripture tell the same story? What is the heart of these combined truths? 

14. How is Jesus the fulfillment of these prophecies? 

15. Jesus “preached good news.” In a world of bad news, how might you be a purveyor of good news? What role does God’s judgement play in the good news? 

The message on Sunday closed with Paul’s word to the church at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 1.3-7. Spend some time reflecting on God’s comfort, His character, and His promise. 

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?” 

The message on Sunday closed with the last words of Micah 7. Spend some time reflecting on God’s character, and on His promise. 

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?”

The message on Sunday closed with the last words of Amos 9. Spend some time giving God praise for His promise to make all tings new. 

This new sermon series is entitled “Come Back to Me – The Minor Prophets.” In this study we’ll unpack the Gospel message in a collection of books you’ve probably always skipped right over—the minor prophets. We often think of the minor prophets as books of judgment. But they also paint a picture of a God whose scandalous love never stops pursuing the very people who broke his heart. We begin this series by diving in to the book of Joel. 

For context, click on the link to the Bible Project video and then read the short book of Joel. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joel/ 

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 words of Joel in chapter 1 and answer the questions that follow: 

5. Where do you see God trying to get the attention of the people of Israel? 

6. In these last days, how have you sensed God trying to get your attention? 

7. Why does He desire that He has your full attention? What do you believe He desires for you? 

Read and reflect on the words of Joel in chapter 2 and answer the questions that follow: 

8. We are not told the specific sin of Israel, yet God speaks through the prophet Joel of declaring a holy fast, and “crying out to God.” For what are the people of Israel repenting? 

9. In your own words describe the meaning of this call,  “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to your God.” Describe a time when you lived into this call. What was the outcome of your repentance? What belief or behavior changed?

10. What’s your deepest cry of the heart for your family? What’s your cry for our Faith Family?

Read and reflect on the words of Acts 2, and the words of Joel 2, and answer the questions that follow: 

11. How does this fulfillment of prophecy encourage you? 

12. What part of this prophecy most resonates with you? 

13. Where do you see God’s Spirit being poured out in our church and in our neighborhood? 

14. Where do long to see God’s Spirit move?

Chapter 3 includes pictures of God making all things new.

15. How do you hold fast to the hope of His imminent return? 

The message on Sunday closed with the familiar words of Psalm 139. Spend some moments allowing God to search, to test, to know, and to lead you in this day. Give Him praise. 

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting

Spend a few moments listening again for His voice. Allow your voice to proclaim praise for His goodness and grace.