JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN, BUT REPENTANCE BRINGS RESTORATION. 

SCRIPTURE | Micah 3:9-12; 5:1-4; 7:18-20 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

As believers—as God’s people—we simply can’t claim ignorance. God dwells within us in a very real way through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We have the gift of God’s written Word to us! We can’t sin and claim ignorance. It’s simply rebellion against God’s commands. 

KEY QUESTION 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IGNORANCE AND REBELLION? COULD ISRAEL CLAIM IGNORANCE? CAN WE? 

KEEP IN MIND 

This generation can spot a fake. Here’s the truth: Many of us pose as something we’re not—even as leaders. We put on a good face to hide what’s in our hearts. And our students can often sense it. Israel’s leaders did this too; they looked the part, but they didn’t look anything like the God they were supposed to be imitating. God had given them the Ten Commandments (and the rest of the law), which is basically split between two ideas—love God and love people. The law showed them (and us) how to do that. But the evidence revealed that the leaders in Israel weren’t loving God or people. God calls us to authenticity. He calls us to really follow Him, to really love Him, to really love others. He calls us and equips us for so much more than simply pretending and posing. Our students desperately need to see what authentic faith and real devotion look like. They need to know it’s possible for them to live authentically too. 

APPLICATION 

MICAH’S MESSAGE WAS WILDLY UNPOPULAR. HOW CAN WE BE COURAGEOUS WHEN GOD CALLS US TO TAKE AN UNPOPULAR STAND? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Believers are equipped with God’s Spirit—the same Spirit who equipped the prophets and the same power which raised Jesus from the grave. This is the Spirit who lives within our students, empowering them to stand even when it’s difficult! 

FOR THE LEADER: When God asks us to share difficult truths, we must balance them with love and hope. Students need to hear the truth about God’s judgment, but they must also hear the gospel message of hope that permeates even the most difficult passages in God’s Word: We have a Savior!