For Sunday, May 31, 2009

Reading Selections and Questions for Sunday, May 31st, 2009.

1) Micah 7:1-6
What made Micah sad about the culture in which he lived?
What kinds of sins does he describe?
Psalm 12
How does David’s description of the culture of his time compare to Micah’s description?
How do these descriptions compare to our culture today?
Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by wickedness? That “the godly have been swept from the land?”

2) Micah 7:1-7
After describing his misery, Micah explains his solution in verse 7. What is it?
What does it mean to “wait for God?”
Psalm 130; Psalm 4
What do these two Psalms teach us about waiting for the Lord? Which verses of these two Psalms encourage you the most?

3) Micah 7:18-20
What do these verses teach us about God’s character?
Which one of these character traits are most important to you today?
What image comes to your mind when you read that God will “tread our sins underfoot?”
Do you ever struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness? In what ways?
Isaiah 43:25; Psalm 103:8-13
What do these passages teach us about God’s forgiveness and compassion?

4) John 15:18; John 17:15-16
When faced with living among wickedness, how do these words of Jesus effect your perspective?
Romans 12:1-2
Make a plan of action for living in a world filled with sin based on these verses. What steps can you, will you, take to remain faithful?
Lamentations 3:22-23
Meditate on these verses as you take the challenge of Romans 12:1-2.

For Sunday, May 24, 2009

Reading Selections and Questions for Sunday, May 24th, 2009.

1) Micah 4:1-4
What time period does this prophecy pertain to? What will be different about then than now?
Psalm 86:9; Jeremiah 3:27; Zechariah 8:3; Philippians 2:9-11
How are the end times described in these verses? In your opinion, what would be the best part of the experience of these times?

2) Micah 5:1-5a
Chapter 4 was a message of hope about future peace. Then, Micah reminds them they have to face judgment first.
What information does this passage give about the coming Messiah?
Would their judgment last forever?
How could verse 3 apply to the post-exile time for the Jews? How could verse 3 apply to Jesus’ end times return?

3) Micah 4:3-4; 5:4-5
These verses prophecy about 2 qualities of Jesus.
A) As the Bringer of peace.
“To sit under one’s own vine” was a proverbial saying that meant a state of peace, security and contentment. Are you experiencing your life in Christ sitting under your own vine?
Isaiah 9:6
Where do you turn for peace in your life? Are you allowing the Prince of Peace to rule?
B) Shepherd
Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 11:15; John 10:11-18
How has Jesus been the Shepherd for you?

4) Micah 6:6-8
What was the problem described by Micah in verses 6-7?
In what ways do people try to come to God on their own terms (or by earning it) today?
What is the irony in us offering our own first born to be made right with God?
According to this passage, what does God require? How well does you life measure up to these requirements today?

For Sunday, May 17, 2009

Reading Selections and Questions for Sunday, May 17th, 2009.

1) Micah 3
How does Micah describe the leaders and prophets of his day? What is their motivation? How is the content of their messages decided?
Is there any areas of your life you are misusing or abusing your power? (work, friendships, family life, etc.)

2) Micah 3:4-6, 12
What are the judgments awaiting them?
Deuteronomy 31:14-22
What warning did God give Moses for the people? What would the consequences be?
1 John 3:21-24
What are the blessings of obedience listed here?
Have you ever felt God became silent with you? If so, what did you do in response?

3) Ezra 7:10, 25
Ezra was an example from the time period after the exile of how a priest/leader should act. Skim Micah 3 once again. How did Israel’s and Judah’s leaders/priests match Ezra’s example?
Matthew 7:15-23 How does Jesus’ teaching about false prophets help us identify them? Why is it important to identify false prophets?

4) Micah 3
Pray for our leaders, that they would seek the Lord, seek justice and speak the truth, no matter the cost. Pray for leaders at every level of your life: church, work, home, city, state, federal government, world.

For Sunday, May 10, 2009

Reading Selections and Questions for Sunday, May 10th, 2009.

1) Micah 1:1-2
Who is this message to? Who is it from? When was it given? (Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah.) Who is it about?
Is the Lord for them or against them?
Micah 1:8-9
How did Micah feel about delivering this message? What can we learn about him through his description of this experience of being a prophet?

2) Micah 1:1-7
What are the geological and environmental results of God walking on earth in judgment? Why was He judging them?
What was God’s opinion of their religious sites (Jerusalem and Samaria)?
When faced with sin, where do we lay the blame?
What would be the end results of the judgment?

3) Micah 2:1-5
What was the Lord’s plan in judgment?
Who was He targeting? (Note: These evil plotters had the power to carry out their plans.)
What was their sin?
Psalm 36
What does this Psalm teach us about those who choose a lifestyle of sinfulness and wickedness?
What does it teach us about the character of God?
What is the difference between how God uses His power and how people use theirs?

4) Micah 2:6-11
What kind of prophet did the people want?
2 Timothy 4:1-5
How does this description fit with Micah’s prophecy?
How does it fit today?
What are we to do in these situations?
Micah 2:12-13
What was promised? Would there be any hope for them?