Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Sermon Transcript: “Walking Humbly with God” by Charles Spurgeon
• Sermon Transcript: “Sin Subdued” by Charles Spurgeon
• Sermon: “Who You Gonna Call” by Bartholomew Orr
• Sermon: “The God Who Forgives and Restores” by Colin Smith

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of the Gospel Project for Adults. Today we are in Unit 15, Session 2, God’s Prophets Warned; with the core passage of Micah 5:1-5; 6:6-8; 7:8-9,18-20—and with the key concept of: Though there is a future judgment, there is also a future hope.

Last week, we learned about two of the kings of the southern kingdom of Judah who were righteous, doing what was right in the Lord’s eyes, Hezekiah and Josiah.  Today, we’ll take a look at one of God’s prophets who prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah. He actually prophesied through the reign of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He spoke of judgment  coming on God’s people but we will see he also had a message of hope.

Micah starts off with accusations and warnings for the people of Israel. Judgment is coming because the people have practiced injustice, seizing land from the poor for example, and rejecting God’s Word. Even the prophets of the time were wicked; they were false prophets wanting monetary gain for a good word. So God’s people were in misery and judgment. They were “under attack,” either in reference to the current Assyrians who were attacking them or the coming of the Babylonians. So Israel was grieving—they “slash [themselves] in grief.” Enemies were on their way to attack and besiege them.  But on the horizon will be a hero. From “Bethlehem,” though “small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me.” Micah’s prophecy points to a Messiah, a Savior, being born in Bethlehem. “His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.” This could have two different meanings of being a Messiah that originated from the line of David of old or eternally existing as part of the Godhead. Either way, we see Jesus being able to fulfill both meanings here.

We then see a “Therefore” in verse 3. Because judgment was coming for God’s people but then a Savior would come, in the meantime, “Israel will be abandoned,” left by themselves,  “until the time when she who is in labor has given birth,” referring to either Mary, Bethlehem, or Zion, which is Jerusalem, as cross-referenced back in 4:10. With any of those interpretations we see that a Savior was coming. “Then the rest of the ruler’s brothers,” the people of God who were exiled, “will return to the people of Israel” as a complete covenant nation again. And this Messiah, as we know is Jesus, “will stand and shepherd” the people “in the strength of the Lord.” Jesus later described Himself as a good shepherd in John 10:14, one who lays down His life for the sheep and who will bring His sheep together into “one flock” (John 10:16). Micah further stated that they will live securely, unlike their present circumstances under constant war, and “He will be their peace,” one that brings everlasting peace through His presence.

How has Jesus, the Messiah, brought peace into your life? Whether peace from spiritual turmoil or peace in difficult financial circumstances or peace in marriage or parenting, or peace in simply spiritual rest, your group will have varying answers.

Then Micah spoke of how the people will conquer their enemies. Assyria and the land of Nimrod, Babylon, represent their enemies and how eventually, the Messiah would rescue them. The rest of chapter 5 speak of how the people of Israel will be a blessing to the nations, a strong force to be reckoned with as God purifies the nation.

Micah 6 then transitions with the Lord making His case against Judah, leading to verses 6-8. He reminded the people through Micah that sacrificial offerings, superficial religious acts are not what He desires. What the Lord requires is that His people “act justly, … love faithfulness, and … walk humbly with [their] God.”

What might it look like for you to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with God? In Micah’s time, the rich and the powerful had the upper hand. The poor struggled and God consistently had compassion for them and reminded His people to care for them. He never looked at how they were poor in the first place. God’s character cares for those who are low in society, and He lifts them up. In the same way, our hearts need to grieve for those in poverty, those who have little, those who are treated unjustly. There are many ways we can devote of our resources, time, energy, or money, to lift up the poor and lowly in society. But even beyond the acts themselves, our hearts need to be tender; we need compassion and mercy in our hearts for the downtrodden.

In Micah’s final chapter, Micah 7 starts with lamenting Israel’s moral decline. But starting in verse 8, it ends with hope. The faithful realize that their enemies will think that they’ve won, having taken them into captivity, but speaking for Judah, Micah stated, “Do not rejoice over me,” in my downfall, in my judgment. For “though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Judah knows they deserve judgment so they will endure it when it comes. But when it ends, they will be able to see the Lord’s salvation. For God’s character, one of grace and mercy, will prevail. “Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to this anger forever.” Why? Because he delights in faithful love. God forgives because He wants His people to come back to Him in faithful love. Verse 19 and 20: “He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as you swore to our ancestors from days long ago.” And this is accomplished through that Bethlehem-born Messiah, Jesus. He will vanquish our iniquities. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. For God is loyal to His people and to His promises, to Abraham and Jacob and all those who He promised their family line would be a blessing to the nations. There is true hope found in Jesus because of this.

How have you experienced God’s promise of restoration for His people? Some in your group may talk of marriages being restored or restoration from different types of addiction. Some may simply have experienced the restoration of a sinful life or a life of unrest. Trusting and following Jesus restores our soul and gives us peace.

How should you address your struggles with sin in light of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness? We should confess sin and ask for forgiveness knowing God is faithful to forgive. We should daily examine our hearts that God will show us if our hearts are not tender, not compassionate to others, the poor, our enemies, those unlike us. A lack of compassion leads to a hardened heart. We should often ask the Spirit to reveal to us the condition of our heart.

Onto the Group Experience, prepare beforehand to bring in a book or movie or a photo of it that you’ve watched multiple times. Follow the instructions on page 124 of the Leader Guide and engage your group asking what book or movie do they read or see over and over again. Movies we like to see over and over tend to be stories of hope even in the midst of trial. Go through the Transition portion into the Context, pointing to the end of the two kingdoms and how God sent prophets to warn the people and tell them of judgment and hope.

Recap, studying through the passage, asking: What key words would you use to summarize Micah’s messages to Israel and Judah? How did these passages challenge you? How were you reminded of hope and mercy? Which verse(s) stood out specifically to you?

Transition into the Group Activity. Have the chart recreated on a board and point your group to page 100 of the Personal Study Guide.  Call out the Setting and consider breaking into 2 smaller groups to give one group Micah 5:1-6 and Micah 6:6-8 and the other group Micah 7:8-9 and 18-20 on the chart. Of course, you can do it all as a big group as well. If you break up into smaller groups, let each group read their passages and fill out the corresponding chart, making notes about God’s judgment and God’s loving compassion. Then going through each passage, first have someone read Micah 5:1-6 and 6:6-8. Ask, “What do we observe about this redeemer in Micah 5:2?” The answer is that He is from Bethlehem and comes to be ruler over Israel for God, His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.” Then ask the group what were notes about God’s holy judgment from Micah 5:1-6. Answers include that they were “under attack” and were in “grief.” They stroke “the judge of Israel with a rod,” they would be “abandoned, and they would be invaded by Assyria or enemies. In Micah 5:1-6, God’s loving compassion is seen in the fact that a ruler will eventually come over Israel, and God’s people will be reunited when the remnant returns. This new ruler will shepherd the people in the strength of the Lord. Then ask: “Who were the words in Micah 6:8 directed to?” To all believers, those who call themselves God’s people. “How do these requirements from God relate to God’s judgment and God’s compassion?” If we simply go through the motions of sacrificial acts or religious activity without obeying God’s command to act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with God, we will be judged. But because God’s compassion compels Him to be our example in acting justly, loving faithfulness, and walking humbly, we must do the same as well.

Then have someone read Micah 7:8-9 and18-20. Follow the instructions in Engage. Answers under God’s judgment can include: Judah’s enemies rejoicing over their demise, Judah having “fallen” and sitting in darkness, and the Lord’s fury coming upon them. And His compassion includes God giving them the ability to stand up, the Lord being their light, the Lord eventually championing their cause and establishing justice for His people, bringing them into the light, and God bringing salvation. Also, God forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion, God not holding on to his anger forever and God delighting in faithful love. God will have compassion on them and vanquish their iniquities and cast their sins into the depths of the sea. And He will show loyalty to them.

Then have the group read through Exodus 34:6-7 to see similarities between God’s words to Moses and His words to the people through Micah.

Debrief with: If these were the only Scriptures you had about God, what could you observe about Him? That God was holy and loving, that He judges but judges righteously, with love and grace. He is forgiving and compassionate even through the consequences of disobedience.

Why is it important for our sharing of the gospel to speak the truth about God, that He is both the righteous judge and the giver of mercy? Because that is the complete truth that helps us be more like Him, striving for righteousness but knowing that when we fail, God is merciful. God wants a relationship with us and He wants us to have the good life which results from obeying Him. We must know that disobedience leads to bad consequences naturally, as well as through God’s judgment.

Display Pack Item 12: Who is Like You? Poster as a reminder of God’s compassion that we see through the love of Christ and His sacrificial work.

Summarize and head into the Head Heart Hands section, focusing on the Hands section if time is limited. How can you use opportunities to forgive to share the gospel and point others to Jesus Christ? Knowing we are forgiven, we should be the first to forgive others. Whether it’s a personal grievance from a friend or family member or whether it’s a stranger who cuts you off in traffic or gives you bad customer service, or whether is a general group of people you harbor ill-will toward because you think they have taken advantage of the system, forgiveness starts in our hearts and as followers of Christ, we should be willing and able to take that first step to forgive first in our hearts and then to the person if needed. Sharing why we forgive can lead to gospel conversations.

Suggest the bullet points in Next Steps and move to prayer requests and praises, ending with praying through Psalm 73:21-28 if time allows. I would just focus on verses 25-26: “25 Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” There is no one like God and His compassion compels us and empowers us to be compassionate toward others that we may act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with our God.

Hey, thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast. Reach out at [email protected] and hope you have a great group time!