The Sunday School Lesson Outlinne

July 12

Lesson 6

NO TOLERANCE FOR CORRUPT OFFICIALS

DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 7:15–20

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Micah 3

MICAH 3:5–12

5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

KEY VERSE

Truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

—Micah 3:8

GOD’S PROPHETS DEMAND JUSTICE

Unit 2: Micah Calls for Justice Among Unjust People

LESSONS 5–8

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. List descriptions of the false prophets and of Micah’s prophetic office.

2. Explain how greed can influence someone to use a position of power to exploit people.

3. Plan a worship service in which leaders in the church and/or community are honored and in which prayers are offered on their behalf.

LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction
      A.      Before You Lead Others …
      B.      Lesson Background
          I.      Corrupt Messengers (MICAH 3:5–7)
      A.      Selfish Motives (v. 5)
      Prophesying for … What?
      B.      Sure Doom (vv. 6, 7)
          II.      Courageous Messenger (MICAH 3:8–12)
      A.      Empowered by God (v. 8)
      You, on Retainer
      B.      Exposing Sinful Acts (vv. 9–11)
      C.      Expecting Judgment (v. 12)
Conclusion
      A.      Leaders in Society
      B.      Leaders in the Church
      C.      Prayer
      D.      Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Amos

Ay-mus.

Babylon

Bab-uh-lun.

Deuteronomy

Due-ter-ahn-uh-me.

Isaiah

Eye-zay-uh.

Jehoiakim

Jeh-hoy-uh-kim.

Jeremiah

Jair-uh-my-uh.

Micah

My-kuh.

Morasthite

Mo-rass-thite

Redford, Douglas et al. “No Tolerance for Corrupt Officials.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 386–387. Print.