Amos: A Country Bumpkin vs. The Cows of Bashan Texts: The Book of Amos, 1 Kings 11 &12. Get To Know Amos Redneck prophet: shepherd and fig farmer. God sent Amos north to warn Israel about God’s coming judgement. Setting The Stage Jeroboam II was king. (1 Kings 11 &12) Israel was thriving but full of idolatry and sin. God’s Story In Amos Israel is in God’s Crosshairs. (Amos 2) Israel’s hypocrisy. (Amos 5:21-23) Amos reminds Israel that God chose Israel to be his family from all the nations of the world. Amos was a true prophet because his prophecy came true. Amos Speaks Today Israel had relationship issues. Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Righteousness refers to right relationships between people, no matter their social differences. Justice refers to CONCRETE ACTION that you take to correct injustices and create righteousness. Justice and righteousness are to FLOW OUT of God’s people, through their actions and their relationships. Israel had religion Issues. Amos calls out the idol worship because they did not uphold the same call to righteousness and justice that God did. (Amos 5:4, 5:14) Israel picked idols that focused on three things in particular: Sex (pleasure), fertility (wealth) and war (fame & power). Does that sound familiar? The Western church is beginning to look and act like Israel. Our religion – our relationship with God – is not just about rituals and piety. Our religion should transform our human relationships. Amos hits the nail on the head – God is our only salvation and He calls his people to righteousness and justice. Discussion Questions -Share about a time you went somewhere where you DID NOT fit in. -How do you think Israel got so off track with idolatry and forgot their origins as destitute slaves, and their purpose as God’s family? (Hint: 1 Sam. 8, Deut. 6) – Israel picked idols that focused on three things in particular: Sex (pleasure), fertility (wealth) and war (fame & power). How do those idols trip us up today? (1 Jn 15-17) -How has God been speaking to you about practising righteousness and justice? What would those things look like for your life/relationships/ministry?