1:1-9 (Study 4)

Big idea: The Holy Lord God will punish sinful , and will be next…

Opening Question: Before we jump into this book, does anyone know anything about the they could share with the group?

Read Micah 1:1-9

Setting the Scene:

1. What are your first reactions / impressions to this passage?

• How would you describe overall tone and mood?

2. What information can we learn about this book from verse 1?

• Can anyone share what is significant about the two cities mentioned – Samaria and Jerusalem? (perhaps share map from GG leaders website?)

GG Leader’s Blurb: “Verses 2-9 make up a poem, and in the original language there are 2 stanzas: Verses 2-5, and 6-9. Let’s look at each stanza separately.”

Verses 2-5

3. What is the structure (or movement) of verses 2-5?

4. What do we learn about God from these verses?

• What’s going on in verses 3-4?

• Why is God bringing such disaster to the earth?

5. How would you describe God as portrayed by here Micah?

6. Think about how most Aussies think of God. How is their understanding similar or different to how He’s described here?

7. How does this passage help you see God more clearly?

Verses 6-9

8. What is the structure (or movement) of this section?

9. What was God’s plan for Samaria?

“In 722BC God fulfilled Micah’s prophecy against Samaria. Let’s see it happen…”

Read 2 Kings 17:1-8

10. How were God’s actions against Samaria righteous and just?

“Come back to Micah now…”

11. Imagine you were a resident of Jerusalem. You heard Micah speak this prophecy against Samaria, and later heard of it actually taking place. What effect should this have had on you?

• What effect did it have on Micah himself? (verse 8)

• Why was Micah so devastated?

Wrapping Up…

12. What particularly about God’s character has struck you today?

13. While we are forgiven of all our sins in Jesus, God still cares that we flee from sin. Are there times you’re tempted to take sin too lightly?

14. If there was a prophecy in the about God judging the Central Coast for it’s sin, how would that shape your life?

• How would it shape your day tomorrow?

Prayer

• Spend time praying about the specific things people mentioned from Questions 12-14 (God’s character; our attitude to sin; how our lives may need to change.) • Pray for friends who are not yet forgiven by God • Pray for our Mission Partners