Session 2 Amos 4:1-13
identify a key word or phrase that stands out.
12 Therefore, Israel, that is what I will do to you, and since I will do that to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God! 13 He is here: the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, the one who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. The LORD, the God of Armies, is his name.
Invite volunteers to share the key word or phrase they chose.
Write their responses on the board or a large sheet of paper.
As a group, answer the question,
“What kind of God could Israel expect to meet?”
The Israelites failed to recognize God’s loving discipline and the verdict of guilty was confirmed.
As we examine our lives, we must recognize the sovereignty of God.
He will hold all believers accountable for their actions.
It may be easy to be critical of the Israelites without examining our own lives
against the same charges.
Lead the group to silently respond to the question set under Apply the Text (p. 27):
Evaluate your attitudes toward people with need,
toward the oppressed, and toward worship.
How does your attitude in these areas compare with the attitudes Amos addressed?
What adjustments do you need to make in these areas to align more with God’s desires?
Encourage them to reflect on their responses this week.
Read aloud Amos 4:12, highlighting that this is the memory verse for the session.
Distribute Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark)
to anyone in the group who didn’t receive a copy during the last session.
What are some ways we can remind each other of our accountability to God?
Call on a pre-enlisted person
to close the group time in prayer,
thanking God for holding us accountable for our attitudes and actions
and for being a God of mercy and grace when we come to Him with repentant hearts.
Reinforce the study by creating an online prayer community for the group to use during the study. Encourage the group to participate regularly by both praying for others and sharing personal requests on the site.