1. What is the structure of your Biblical text?
How should that structure shape the emphasis of your teaching outline?
I
would probably have chosen the whole chapter so that I could have 4.1 to give
context of sins God was judging.
I. The Judgments on Israel (vv
6-11)
A.
Famine (v 6) De. 28.39-40
B.
Drought (vv 7-8) De. 28.23-24
C.
Blight, mildew, & locust (v 9) De. 28.22, 28
D. Plague (v 10) De. 28.21-22, 27-28
E.
Overthrown (v 11) De. 28.25-26
II. The Judge of Israel (vv
12-13)
A.
His purpose (v 12)
B.
His characteristics (v 12-13)
C.
His name (v 13 b)
This passage outlines
examples of how He has acted against Israel, and warns them to prepare
for a larger judgment to come, an army from the north (5.27), likely the
Assyrians.
2. What is the broader context of your
text? How does it inform the meaning of your specific text?
Chapter four is the second
of five sermons (3, 4, 5.1-17, 518-27, 6 though 5 & 6 could all be
considered one) that warn Israel
of coming judgment.
(3.1-2) The coming
judgment of Israel.
3.12-15 Warning of the coming judgment
4.1-5 Highlights their
oppression of poor, coming judgment, and empty religious rites
5.5-7 Exhortation to
seek the Lord.
3. What is the main theme (or melodic line) of
the book in which your text is found? How does the main theme (or
melodic line of the entire book inform the meaning of your specific text?
God will judge His people
for their corrupt religion / Godless conduct.
This passage describes His recent discipline
as a harbinger of a more encounter with God to come.
5. The theme of the text?
“Prepare to meet your
God” (v. 4.12c)
God brought five phases of
judgment on you, by implication with no response, so the Lord of Hosts is
an awesome God who will judge your sins.
6. What is the primary aim of your text?
Amos seeks to impress the
reality that the LORD does judge (and has been judging) sin and the
reality of His awesome majesty. The desired response would be to prepare
for the Day of Judgment by repenting and forsaking the sins that had offended
God.
7. What is your theme and aim for your people
as you prepare to teach?
·
To consider
what God is trying to accomplish in your life thru the events.
·
To be
thoughtful of the day when we will be called to account for our actions as we
make decisions about material things, our desires, and how we treat
people.
·
To give a
sense of awe by reflecting on God's
greatness.
----> “Prepare to meet
your God”
