Icebreaker
Share a time you witnessed an act of kindness in public.
Background
At the time of Amon, how was Israel doing on the outside?
Israel appeared free and prosperous, but God found their actions offensive. Can you think of modern examples where outward success might mask spiritual problems?
Dig In
Andy presented Amos in two parts: oppressive relationships and offensive worship.
God found them offensive because their relationships were oppressive.
How do we see this in the following verses?
- Amos 2:6-8
- Amos 3:9
- Amos 4:1
- Amos 5:12
Where do you see these things today?
God found them offensive because their worship was repulsive.
How do we see this in the following verses?
- Amos 3:14
- Amos 4:4-5
- Amos 5:21-23
Where do you see these things today?
Discussion
What stuck out to you most from Amos? Why?
Andy said, “In Christ, we have the responsibility to lift burdens.”
Read Matthew 23:3-4 with your group.
What does “oppressive” truly mean? “To bind up or make difficult”?
How is this word overused or abused today?
Read Matthew 11:28-30 with your group.
How do these verses go against what the Pharisees were doing?
What are some practical ways we can take Jesus at His Word in this passage?
Andy said, “Worship that honors God is a life surrendered to God.”
Who should be in the center of worship?
How did Andy say we put ourselves in the center of worship?
In what ways might we be evaluating worship based on our preferences rather than God’s perspective? How can we shift our focus to what truly matters in worship?
Read Romans 12:1 with your group.
According to this verse, what is true worship?
What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”?
How does understanding the ‘gravity of sin’ and the ‘gravity of grace’ impact our motivation for obedience and worship? Why is keeping both in view important?
Questions for Personal
Reflection
These questions are intended to be read aloud to the group, but not necessarily for group discussion.
- Am I doing anything that is putting an unnecessary burden on others?
- How can I help others see that Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden is light?
- How can I live like Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden is light?
- Where is an area that I’m resisting God’s leadership in my life? How can I surrender those areas of my life to God as an act of worship?