June 12
Lesson 2
THAT DAY IS COMING
DEVOTIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 8:11–18
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Zephaniah 3:1–8
ZEPHANIAH 3:1–8
1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
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KEY VERSE
Therefore, wait, ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey.
—Zephaniah 3:8
TOWARD An NEW CREATION
Unit 1: Judgment and Salvation
LESSONS 1–3
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the objects of the Lord’s condemnation and the reasons for it.
2. Explain why the topic of God’s judgment is as relevant today as it was to Zephaniah’s audience.
3. Tell specifically how the theme of God’s judgment will influence his or her daily living and message to an unsaved world.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. A Special Date
B. Lesson Background
I. Rebellious City (ZEPHANIAH 3:1, 2)
A. Defiled (v. 1)
What Happens in Vegas …
B. Defiant (v. 2)
II. Ruthless Leaders (ZEPHANIAH 3:3, 4)
A. Civic (v. 3)
No Moral Compass
B. Spiritual (v. 4)
III. Righteous God (ZEPHANIAH 3:5–8)
A. Every Day (v. 5)
B. Every Nation (v. 6)
C. Evil City (v. 7)
D. Extensive Judgment (v. 8)
Conclusion
A. Preparing for Finals
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Ammon Am-mun.
Assyria Uh-sear-ee-uh.
Blagojevich Blah-goi-yuh-vich.
Ethiopians E-thee-o-pee-unz (th as in thin).
Judah Joo-duh.
Lamentations Lam-en-tay-shunz.
Nineveh Nin-uh-vuh.
Pentecost Pent-ih-kost.
Philistines Fuh-liss-teenz or Fill-us-teenz.
Reuben Roo-ben.
Zephaniah Zef-uh-nye-uh.
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What Do You Think?
What are some ways to address the tragic spiritual condition of modern cities? What will be your part in this?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding involvement with existing ministries
■ Regarding creation of new ministries
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How can we discern and accept the Lord’s correction in various circumstances?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In times of personal struggle
■ In times of family crisis
■ In response to seemingly unanswered prayer
■ When asked by others during their struggles
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
In addition to praying, what can we do when leaders fail to carry out their responsibilities?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding the local church
■ Regarding church leaders on the national stage
■ Within the home
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What Do You Think?
How can shame be used to honor God today?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In witnessing
■ In disciplining children
■ In preaching and teaching
■ In holding a fellow believer accountable
■ In standing up for a specific moral issue
■ Other
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Visual for Lessons 1 & 2. As you discuss the lesson’s Introduction, point to this visual and ask, “In what senses can we and can we not ‘save the date’?”
But no—if anything, they are as determined as ever to refuse to listen. So eager are they to pursue wrongdoing that they rise early to do so. Of course, this will not escape the attention of the Lord, who “every morning” carries out His judgment (v. 5, above).
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What Do You Think?
What place should fear of God have in our daily walk with Him? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding times when we seek His will
■ Regarding times when we carry out His will
■ Considering “do fear” passages (1 Peter 2:17; Philippians 2:12; Revelation 14:7; etc.) in relation to “no fear” passages (Luke 12:32; 1 John 4:18; Revelation 1:17; etc.)
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Redford, Douglas et al. “That Day Is Coming.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 358. Print.
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