KJV Commentary Outline, the International Sunday School Lesson

July 30

Lesson 9 (KJV)

Amos

Devotional Reading: Psalm 119:1–8

Background Scripture: Amos 7

Amos 7:10–17

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

11 For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.

12 Also, Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.

14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

16 Now, therefore, hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.

17 Therefore thus saith the Lord; Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line, and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

Photo: Dawn Hudson / Hemera / Thinkstock

Key Verses

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

—Amos 7:14, 15

God’s Urgent Call

Unit 2: Calling of Prophets

Lessons 5–9

Lesson Aims

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

1. Summarize the nature of the resistance to Amos’s message and his response to that resistance.

2. Compare and contrast that resistance with modern resistance to the gospel.

3. Write a short “letter to the editor” that contrasts a biblical view of a current controversy with the prevailing secular view.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. What’s My Profession?

B. Lesson Background: Israel in General

C. Lesson Background: Bethel in Particular

I. Professional Priest (Amos 7:10–13)

A. Report to the King (vv. 10, 11)

B. Rebuke for the Prophet (vv. 12, 13)

Outsiders

II. Professing Prophet (Amos 7:14–17)

A. Source of Authority (vv. 14–16)

Credentials

B. Essence of the Message (v. 17)

Conclusion

A. True to the Call

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Ahab	Ay-hab.
Amaziah	Am-uh-zye-uh.
Azariah	Az-uh-rye-uh.
Amos	Ay-mus.
Assyrians	Uh-sear-e-unz.
Bethel	Beth-ul.
Elijah	Ee-lye-juh.
Elisha	Ee-lye-shuh.
Ezekiel	Ee-zeek-ee-ul or Ee-zeek-yul.
Jeroboam	Jair-uh-boe-um.
Mosaic	Mo-zay-ik.
Rehoboam	Ree-huh-boe-um.
Samaria	Suh-mare-ee-uh.
Uzziah	Uh-zye-uh.
Zion Zi-un. What Do You Think? How do we know when our message should primarily be one of dire warning? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Regarding nations and their policies ■ Regarding other religions ■ Regarding individual people What Do You Think? How should we react when others try to restrict our message? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ When access to an audience is restricted ■ When topics of which we may speak are restricted ■ When threats are expressed or implied Visual for Lesson 9. Point to this visual as you ask, “How do you relate the calls of Jesus’ disciples in Mark 1:16, 17 and of Amos to your own life?” What Do You Think? What are some deciding factors when considering a change in vocation? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ If changing from secular to ministerial ■ If changing from ministerial to secular What Do You Think? What are some steps to take when our message is rejected? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ When our motives are misrepresented ■ When our words are misquoted ■ When our character is questioned ■ Other What Do You Think? What are some ways to respond if a necessarily harsh message is rejected as “unloving”? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering the agenda of those voicing objection ■ Considering validity of the objection