March 1
Lesson 1 (KJV)
A Call to Accountability
Devotional Reading: Psalm 97
Background Scripture: Amos 5
Amos 5:18–24
18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.
19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness [like] a mighty stream.
Key Verse
Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.—Amos 5:24
Justice and the PROPHETS
Unit 1: God Requires Justice
Lessons 1–5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the misconceptions concerning the day of the Lord.
2. Explain why the Lord detested the people’s worship rituals.
3. Recruit an accountability partner to implement one lifestyle change to improve his or her obedience to the imperative of the key verse.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Red-Letter Day?
B. Lesson Context
I. Dismal Day (Amos 5:18–20)
A. Of Delusion (v. 18)
It Seemed Like a Good Idea
B. Of Danger (v. 19)
C. Of Darkness (v. 20)
II. Disappointed God (Amos 5:21–24)
A. Not Religious Ritual (vv. 21–23)
Flood
B. Meaningful Worship (v. 24)
Conclusion
A. The Misuse of Worship
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Amos
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Ay-mus.
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Habakkuk
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Huh-back-kuk.
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Jeroboam
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Jair-uh-boe-um.
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Uzziah
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Uh-zye-uh.
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What Do You Think?
Which three modern thoughts and/or behaviors of what we might call “interim darkness” do you think God will condemn most harshly on the day of ultimate darkness? Why?
Digging Deeper
Which one of those three is most challenging to Christians generally? Why?
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What Do You Think?
When you have one of [those bad-to-worse kinds] of days, what encouragement from Scripture gets you back on track most quickly?
Digging Deeper
Under what circumstances would you not use that particular Scripture to help someone else through such a day? Why?
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What Do You Think?
What common but wrong assumptions do Christians have about Christ’s return that may end up leading to the darkness of Amos 5:20 rather than the light of Titus 2:13?
Digging Deeper
What guardrails will you erect to protect yourself against these wrong assumptions?
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What Do You Think?
How would we recognize whether the Lord has grown to “hate” a particular practice of our church?
Digging Deeper
Would a good way avoid the problem be to automatically cancel all programs every year so that discussion is required to reinstate them? Why, or why not?
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What Do You Think?
Where is the most pressing need for justice in the community in which your church is located? Why do you say that?
Digging Deeper
What guardrails can your church erect to ensure that its work for earthly justice does not eclipse the primary task of evangelism for eternal life? Or is that even a danger?
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Prayer
Father, may judgment and righteousness be more than mere words to us; may they be part of our daily conduct. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thought to Remember
We worship God through the offerings of our daily lives.
Redford, Douglas, Jim Eichenberger, and Matt Lockhart. “A Call to Accountability.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2019–2020. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson et al. Vol. 67. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2020. 235. Print.
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