June 21
Lesson 3
GOD ABHORS SELFISHNESS
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 119:31–38
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Amos 6
AMOS 6:4–8, 11–14
4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;
5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
Graphic: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
8 The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.
11 For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
13 Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?
14 But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness.
KEY VERSE
Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock.
—Amos 6:12
GOD’S PROPHETS DEMAND JUSTICE
Unit 1: Amos Rails Against Injustice
LESSONS 1–4
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe ways that the people of Israel abused their privileges and blessings.
2. Explain why selfishness, greed, and pride are antithetical to a godly lifestyle.
3. Identify one area of selfishness, greed, or pride in his or her life and make a plan to correct it.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. A Little Rebellious
B. Lesson Background
I. Excesses Described (AMOS 6:4–6)
A. Indulgent Dining (v. 4)
The Pet Spa
B. Drunken Revelry (vv. 5, 6a)
C. Selfish Indifference (v. 6b)
II. Exile Determined (AMOS 6:7, 8)
A. Captivity for the Calloused (v. 7)
Heart Condition
B. Confirmed by an Oath (v. 8)
III. Extent of Destruction (AMOS 6:11–14)
A. Houses Demolished (v. 11)
B. Arrogance Confronted (vv. 12, 13)
C. Oppressor Promised (v. 14)
Conclusion
A. What About Selfishness?
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Amos
Ay-mus.
Azariah
Az-uh-rye-uh.
Ephraim
Ee-fray-im.
Hemath
Hay-math.
Jeroboam
Jair-uh-boe-um.
Karnaim
Car-nay-im.
Lodebar
Low-dee-bar.
Manasseh
Muh-nass-uh.
Nebat
Nee-bat.
Samaria
Suh-mare-ee-uh.
Sargon
Sar-gon.
Shalmaneser
Shal-mun-ee-zer.
Tiglath-pileser
Tig-lath-pih-lee-zer.
Uzziah
Uh-zye-uh.
Zion
Zi-un.
Pelfrey, Lloyd M. et al. “God Abhors Selfishness.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 363. Print.
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