What Do You See?

Amos 7:7-17

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal)

Gathering and Opening (10 minutes). In groups of two or three, have each participant complete the following sentence, “Whom do you know who might be considered a prophet?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read: Amos 7:7-17.

• What role does a plumb line serve in construction? Particularly, as it relates to the construction of walls? [A crooked wall will not be stable and will likely crumble instead of being supportive.]
• What might it mean for God to establish a “plumb line” in Israel? [God is making known the standards that provide for stability and the people of Israel, especially. Their leaders are crooked, unstable, and will not endure.]
• Why do you think the priest, Amaziah, reacts so sharply and unkindly to the prophecy of Amos? [His livelihood and way of life are at risk.]
• Why might Amos have rejected the title “prophet”? [He was not out for any personal gain by his role.] Are there those you know who have played the role of a prophet, even when they wouldn’t have considered themselves a prophet? Might we play the role of a prophet from time to time, unknowingly?
• Why might prophets best come from a place without traditional power or influence? How can we hear and heed their voice? How might we see what they see?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of Righteousness, you have given us the plumb line of holiness. We give you thanks that this is not achieved on our own striving, but by heeding your work within us and through us. May we obediently follow your call wherever it might lead. Amen.