This message will be an introduction to the Minor Prophets, including chronological and geographical background, overview of the message, and how they fit into our faith as Christians today.
Sermon OutlinE
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Who Are the Minor Prophets?
- Nabi—“Prophet” (literally = “to bubble up”)
- “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son,” (Hebrews 1:1-2a)
- “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)
- Background
- Northern Kingdom—Israel scattered by Assyria in 722 BC
- Southern Kingdom—Judah taken into exile by Babylon in 586 BC
- Remnant—Returned to Jerusalem by Persia in 538 BC
- The Minor Prophets—Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Why Study the Minor Prophets?
- They are part of the whole counsel of God (Romans 15:4)
- They teach us about justice from God’s perspective (Amos 5:24)
- They help us to balance God’s love with His holy wrath against sin (Jeremiah 6:13b-14, 2 Peter 3:9)
- They point to the hope and salvation found in Jesus (Micah 7:18-19)
- Chesed—steadfast lovingkindness, the patient mercy God shows humanity
How to Maximize this Series in Your Life
- Pray
- Read the Book of the Week
- Memorize One Key Verse
- Share What You Learn
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Open Up:
- How familiar are you with the minor prophets? If you had to share one thing about them, what would you say?
- Think about these words of Paul to Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). As you study God’s Word of Truth in the Minor Prophets, the Lord calls you to be a “worker.” It takes work—concentration and perseverance—to fully appro- priate God’s blessings for us in these books. Start your time together with a prayer express- ing your commitment before God to work diligently in this study of the Minor Prophets.
Dig In:
- What is one thing you are nervous about or one hesitation you have as we begin this study on the minor prophets?
- One technique you will see the minor prophets use in their preaching could be called “Action Sermons” (such as Hosea marrying a prostitute). Why do you think God would often have them “act out” His messages to the people?
- For getting the most from all these books of the Minor Prophets, one of the best guide- lines is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, words Paul wrote with the Old Testament first in view. He said that all Scripture is of great benefit to (a) teach us, (b) rebuke us, (c) correct us, and (d) train us in righteousness. Paul added that these Scriptures completely equip the person of God “for every good work.” As you think seriously about those guidelines, in which of these areas do you especially want to experience the usefulness of the books?
- Which one of the reasons Jim gave for studying the minor prophets are you most interested in? Is there another reason why you would want to study them further?