This Week's Focus Zephaniah 1:1-7

2 The Prophet Zephaniah 1:1-7

This Week’s Focus Tornado alley is the term some people give to states in the central region of the United States because of the cross-wind patterns that frequently develop when cold and warm fronts collide in this part of our nation. Violently rotating cones of wind can be spun to life in minutes when a tornado hits. Houses can be flattened and lives can be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Zephaniah warned all who would listen of a spiritual truth that is eerily similar to the truth about tornadoes; when the conditions are right, the devastating forces of God’s judgment will be unleashed on human society.

© LifeWay 2014 10 Explore the Bible | Students Begin by reading through the Zephaniah 1:1-7 passage two times. 1 The word of the L ord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah a son of Amon king of Judah: 2 “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the L sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the ord. 3 “I will sky and the fish in the sea—and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” “When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,” declares the L ord, 4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the L 6 those who turn back from followingord the and L who also swear by Molek, Lord nor inquire of him.” 7 Be silent beforeord the andSovereign neither L seek the the day of the L ord is near. The L ord consecrated those he has invited. ord has prepared a sacrifice; he, forhas

Do you see any sense of hope in this passage of Scripture?

How would you respond if you heard this message at your church?

© LifeWay 2014 Session 2 11 “Day of the L his- Texpression isord used” more in this prophecy of Zephaniah than in any other book of the he - Day T of the Lord “visited” the earth to save was Hisany people time He or punish Bible. His enemies. he - final T and ultimate Day of the Lord come in the end times. HCSB Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible will

publishers), 1555.

Verse 1 What was the lineage of Zephaniah?

Why is the lineage significant and important to look at?

Verses 2-3 Who survives the coming destruction?

How is this different from the destruction of Noah’s day?

How were God’s people being disloyal to Him?

Verse 7 What is significant about the “Day of the L ord”?

Why was a sacrifice needed?

Now What? How do you usually respond to bad news?

List a time when you felt like you were in a desperate situation.

What was your initial reaction? Where or to whom did you turn?

There is a day of reckoning coming. How can you be prepared for the day He re t u r n s?

Dwell: Evil is prevalent in the world today. It is not challenging to look around and find something that is in direct rebellion against God. Despite the trials we face in this life, we can still have hope because there is a day coming when God will rectify all that is wrong. Evil will be dealt with and God will reign supreme. While we wait, it is our job to shine the light of Christ to those who need Him.

Memorize: Zephaniah 2:3

Pray: Ask Jesus to give you strength and endurance to press on even in the midst of difficulties you may face. Thank Him for the day to come when He will make everything right. Until that day comes, pray for Him to help you to be a witness who points others to Jesus and to the sacrifice that was provided for their sins.

Keep on Digging For further study on the Day of the Lord, read the following verses: • Isaiah 13:6,9 • Joel 1:15; 2:1,11; 3:4; 4:14 • Obadiah 15 • Amos 5:18,20 • Zephaniah 1:7, 14 • Malachi 3:23