The Minors – Hosea (February 2, 2025)

Icebreaker

To end today’s message, Andy told a story about leaving his computer on the roof of his car. Have you ever driven with something on the roof of your car? What was it?

Background

In this message, we looked at how God modeled His character attributes of mercy and forgiveness through the life of Hosea.

The prophet Hosea lived in the northern kingdom of Israel in the middle to late eighth century BC, around 755–715 BC.  This was during the time of the divided kingdom, where the 10 tribes of the north were known as Israel, and the two tribes of the south were known as Judah.

Andy reminded us that in the books of Kings and Chronicles, that every king in the northern kingdom did evil insight of the Lord.  Not one of the northern kings did right in God’s eyes.

Dig In

There were three parts to Hosea’s story: a covenant made, a covenant broken, and a covenant redeemed.

A Covenant Made

  1. Read Hosea 1:2.
    1. What stands out about God’s request of Hosea?
    2. What reason did God give for this request?
  2. Read Hosea 1:3-5.
    1. What was Hosea’s response to God’s request?
    2. What would society think of Hosea’s action?
    3. What did God command the son’s name be?
    4. Why was he named that?
  3. Read Hosea 1:6-7.
    1. What did God ask for this second child to be named?
    2. Why was that name requested?
    3. What is different between Israel and Judah?
  4. Read Hosea 1:8-11.
    1. What did God ask this third child to be named?
    2. What does that name mean?
    3. What does this foreshadow?

A Covenant Broken

  1. Read Hosea 2:1-13.
    1. How is the relationship between Hosea and Gomer reflected?
  2. Read Hosea 2:14-23.
    1. How does God promise to deal with the nation?

A Covenant Restored

  1. Read Hosea 3:1-3.
    1. What did God ask Hosea to do?
    2. What price was paid?
    3. Do we know any other price paid in that amount?
  2. Read Hosea 3:4-5.
    1. What does God say will happen when they return?

Discussion

  1. What stood out most to you from today’s message?
  2. What was the idea of “lesser loves” from the sermon? What are some “lesser loves” that people commonly chase after today?
  3. How can we practically “keep stoking the fire” in our relationship with God?
  4. The sermon emphasized being “in awe” of God’s faithfulness. Share a time when you were in awe of God’s faithfulness in your life.
  5. What does it mean for God’s grace to be “greater than our sin”, and how should this impact our daily lives?
  6. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, embody God’s redeeming love to those who feel unworthy or far from God?

Questions for Personal Reflection

These questions are intended to be read aloud to the group, but not necessarily for group discussion.

  1. What is a “lesser love” in my life and how can I focus back onto God this week?
  2. What can I do to “stoke the fire” in my relationship with God?
  3. What is an area where I’m “busy doing God’s work” as an excuse to genuinely building my relationship with Him?