© LifeWay 2014

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10 Explore the Bible | Students

The Prophet

This Week’s Focus

Tornado alley is the term some people give to states in the central region of the United States because of the cross-wind patterns that frequently develop when cold and warm fronts collide in this part of our nation. Violently rotating cones of wind can be spun to life in minutes when a tornado hits. Houses can be flattened and lives can be destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Zephaniah warned all who would listen of a spiritual truth that is eerily similar to the truth about tornadoes; when the conditions are right, the devastating forces of God’s judgment will be unleashed on human society.

Zephaniah 1:1-7

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Do you see any sense of hope in this passage of Scripture?

How would you respond if you heard this message at your church?

Begin by reading through the passage two times.Zephaniah 1:1-71 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the

son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah a son of Amon king of Judah: 2 “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. 3 “I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea—and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” “When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,” declares the Lord, 4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molek, 6 those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.” 7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

© LifeWay 201412 Explore the Bible | Students

“Day of the Lord” - This expression is used more in this prophecy of

Zephaniah than in any other book of the Bible.

- The Day of the Lord was any time He

“visited” the earth to save His people or punish

His enemies. - The final and ultimate Day of the Lord will

come in the end times.HCSB Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible publishers), 1555.

Verse 1What was the lineage of Zephaniah?

Why is the lineage significant and important to look at?

Verses 2-3Who survives the coming destruction?

How is this different from the destruction of Noah’s day?

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Verses 4-6In verse 4, what groups of people were facing destruction?

How were God’s people being disloyal to Him?

Verse 7What is significant about the “Day of the Lord”?

Why was a sacrifice needed?

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Central TruthJudgment is coming against evil, but there is a sacrifice for those who call on His name.

Now What?How do you us

ually respond to bad news?

List a time when you felt li

ke you were in a desperate s

ituation.

What was your initial reaction

? Where or to whom did you turn

?

There is a day of reckoning c

oming. How can you be prepa

red for the day

He returns?

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Personal Challenge

Dwell: Evil is prevalent in the world today. It is not challenging to look around

and find something that is in direct rebellion against God. Despite the trials we

face in this life, we can still have hope because there is a day coming when God

will rectify all that is wrong. Evil will be dealt with and God will reign supreme.

While we wait, it is our job to shine the light of Christ to those who need Him.

Memorize: Zephaniah 2:3

Pray: Ask Jesus to give you strength and

endurance to press on even in the midst

of difficulties you may face. Thank Him

for the day to come when He will make

everything right. Until that day comes,

pray for Him to help you to be a witness

who points others to Jesus and to the

sacrifice that was provided for their sins.

Keep on DiggingFor further study on the Day of the Lord, read the following verses:• Isaiah 13:6,9

• Joel 1:15; 2:1,11; 3:4; 4:14• Amos 5:18,20

• Obadiah 15 • Zephaniah 1:7, 14• Malachi 3:23