Discussion Questions
Discuss the story in small groups using the following questions. {10–15 minutes}
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How did God’s people get out of slavery in Egypt? How did God teach them how he wanted them to live? If we truly love God with our whole heart, who else will we love?
Takeaway
After God saved his people from slavery, he taught them to love God and love others.
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The northern kingdom acted like they loved God by singing to him and making sacrifices, but how did God know they were just acting? What did Amos say was coming because God’s people didn’t love others the way God had commanded?
Takeaway
Because the northern kingdom only pretended to love God, and did not love others, God judged them with a famine.
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What things happened when God judged his people? What was the worst thing God promised to do? What would it be like to never hear from God again? What good news did Amos give about the future?
Takeaway
Amos warned that God would stop speaking to his people because of their sin, but he also promised that one day God would bless his people again and send a feast.
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How did Amos describe the sky when he talked about God’s judgment? What was the sky like when Jesus died on the cross? What do you think God was trying to show us? How can we escape God’s judgment for our sin and receive his promised blessings?
Takeaway
God punished Jesus on the cross for all our sins so that we could escape his judgment and receive all the promised blessings.
