Bible Study Questions on The Book of Amos PDF

Bible Study Questions on The Book of Amos by David E. Pratte A workbook suitable for Bible classes, family studies, or personal Bible study Available in print at www.gospelway.com/sales  Bible Study Questions on the Book of Amos:...

Bible Study Questions on The Book of Amos by David E. Pratte A workbook suitable for Bible classes, family studies, or personal Bible study Available in print at www.gospelway.com/sales  Bible Study Questions on the Book of Amos: A workbook suitable for Bible classes, family studies, or personal Bible study © Copyright David E. Pratte, 2019 All rights reserved ISBN- Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at www.gospelway.com/sales Free Bible study articles online at www.gospelway.com Free Bible courses online at www.biblestudylessons.com Free class books at www.biblestudylessons.com/classbooks Free commentaries on Bible books at www.biblestudylessons.com/commentary Contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 1:31 Front Page Photo Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved. Workbook on Amos Page #2  Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible? (evidences) The God of the Bible (study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism? Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign? Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation Commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Gospel of John Joshua and Ruth Acts Judges Romans 1 Samuel Ephesians 2 Samuel Philippians and Colossians Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Hebrews Job James and Jude Proverbs 1 & 2 Peter Gospel of Mark Bible Question Class Books Genesis Gospel of Luke Joshua and Ruth Gospel of John Judges Acts 1 Samuel Romans 2 Samuel 1 Corinthians Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther 2 Corinthians and Galatians Job Ephesians and Philippians Proverbs Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians Ecclesiastes 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Isaiah Hebrews Gospel of Matthew General Epistles (James - Jude) Gospel of Mark Revelation Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord: Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible The Family Reading Booklist Visit our website at www.gospelway.com/sales to see a current list of books in print. Page #3 Workbook on Amos  Bible Study Questions on the Book of Amos Introduction: This workbook was designed for Bible class study, family study, or personal study. The class book is suitable for teens and up. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand Scripture. Enough questions are included for teachers to assign as many questions as they want for each study session. Studies may proceed at whatever speed and depth will best accomplish the needs of the students. Questions labeled "think" are intended to encourage students to apply what they have learned. When questions refer to a map, students should consult maps in a Bible dictionary or similar reference work or in the back of their Bibles. (Note: My abbreviation "b/c/v" means "book, chapter, and verse.") For class instruction, I urge teachers to assign the questions as homework so students come to class prepared. Then let class time consist of discussion that focuses on the Scriptures themselves. Let the teacher use other Scriptures, questions, applications, and comments to promote productive discussion, not just reading the questions to see whether they were answered “correctly.” Please, do not let the class period consist primarily of the following: "Joe, will you answer number 1?” “Sue, what about number 2?" Etc. I also urge students to emphasize the Bible teaching. Please, do not become bogged down over "What did the author mean by question #5?" My meaning is relatively unimportant. The issue is what the Bible says. Concentrate on the meaning and applications of Scripture. If a question helps promote Bible understanding, stay with it. If it becomes unproductive, move on. The questions are not intended just to help students understand the Scriptures. They are also designed to help students learn good principles of Bible study. Good Bible study requires defining the meaning of keywords, studying parallel passages, explaining the meaning of the text clearly, making applications, and defending the truth as well as exposing religious error. I have included questions to encourage students to practice all these study principles. Finally, I encourage plain applications of the principles studied. God's word is written so souls may please God and have eternal life. Please study it with the respect and devotion it deserves! For whatever good this material achieves, to God be the glory. Bible study commentary and notes to accompany this and other of our workbooks are available at www.gospelway.com/sales © David E. Pratte, January 15, 2021 Workbooks, commentaries, and topical studies for sale in print at www.gospelway.com/sales To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Workbook on Amos Page #4  Assignments on Amos 1 Read Amos 1, then answer the following questions. If you need help, consult a Bible dictionary or similar reference work. 1. Who was the inspired author of the book – 1:1? What is told about his background? 2. Where are the writings of Amos mentioned outside his own book? What can we learn from this? 3. When did Amos prophesy? (Think: What other prophets wrote during this period?) 4. Special Assignment: Where does the Bible record the reign of these kings? 5. Special Assignment: Describe what you can learn about the Jeroboam mentioned in verse 1 (note that this is Jeroboam son of Joash). 6. Skim the book of Amos and summarize its theme. 7. How did the author claim inspiration – 1:2? How is God’s message described? (Think: What can you learn about Carmel?) 8. Describe in a sentence or two the contents of chapters 1 and 2. 9. About whom did Amos prophesy in 1:3-5? What was Damascus (see a map)? Page #5 Workbook on Amos  10. Who were Hazael and Ben-Hadad? Give b/c/v. 11. What reason did God give for punishing this nation? Where is Gilead (see a map)? 12. How is the punishment described? 13. About whom did Amos prophesy in 1:6-8? What are Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron (see a map)? 14. What reason did God give for punishing this nation? What is Edom (see a map)? 15. Where else are these people mentioned in prophecy? 16. How is the punishment described? 17. About whom did Amos prophesy in 1:9,10 (see a map)? 18. What reason did God give for punishing them (see a map)? Workbook on Amos Page #6  19. Where else are these people mentioned in prophecy? 20. How is the punishment described? 21. About whom did Amos prophesy in 1:11,12? What are Teman and Bozrah (see map)? 22. What reason did God give for punishing them? 23. Where else are these people mentioned in prophecy? 24. How is the punishment described? 25. About whom did Amos prophesy in 1:13-15? What was Rabbah (see a map)? 26. What reason did God give for punishing them? 27. Where else are these people mentioned in prophecy? 28. How is the punishment described? Page #7 Workbook on Amos  Assignments on Amos 2 Read Amos 2, then answer the following questions. 1. About whom did Amos prophesy in 2:1-3? What was Kerioth? 2. What reason did God give for punishing them? 3. Where else are these people mentioned in prophecy? 4. How is their punishment described? 5. About whom did Amos prophesy in 2:4.5? 6. What reason did God give for punishing them? 7. How is their punishment described? (Think: Why might Israel have begun at this point to be concerned about the prophecy?) 8. About whom did Amos prophesy in 2:6-8? 9. Special Assignment: List and explain least four reasons God gave for punishing them. Workbook on Amos Page #8  10. List other passages about proper treatment of the poor. 11. List other passages about a man and his father having the same woman. 12. List other passages about the rules for a garment taken as a pledge. 13. What had God done for Israel according to 2:9? Give b/c/v. 14. What had God done for Israel according to 2:10? Give b/c/v. 15. Special Assignment: Explain the point of verses 9,10. 16. What had God raised some Israelites to do – 2:11? 17. List other passages about Nazarites. Explain what this involved. 18. What had the people done to the prophets and Nazarites – 2:12? Page #9 Workbook on Amos  19. List other passages about opposition to prophets and teachers from God. 20. Application: Explain the problem God is describing. How are people today similarly guilty? 21. How did God react to the people’s sins – 2:13? Explain. 22. What seeming advantages are listed in 2:14? 23. What seeming advantages are listed in 2:15,16? 24. Special Assignment: Explain the message of 2:14-16. 25. Application: What are some ways people today sometimes seem to think they can avoid punishment for their sins? 26. List passages showing that all men will be judged for their lives. Workbook on Amos Page #10  Assignments on Amos 3 Read Amos 3, then answer the following questions. 1. What does God say He had done for Israel – 3:1,2? 2. Why would this give God special reason to punish them for their sins? 3. Application: What blessings do we have that give us great responsibility? 4. Special Assignment: Verses 3-8 list a series of rhetorical questions that lead up to an intended conclusion. As you study, consider what lesson is being taught. 5. Explain the significance of 3:3. What application is made in the context? 6. Application: What lessons can we learn from the concept in this verse? 7. List the illustrations in 3:4,5. What do these illustrations have in common? 8. Special Assignment: Explain the application of these illustrations to the message that God gave Amos to speak to Israel. 9. What would be the purpose of blowing a trumpet in a city – 3:6? What effect should it have on the people? 10. What role would prophets fill that was similar to the blowing of a trumpet – 3:7? Compare Ezekiel 33:1-5. Page #11 Workbook on Amos  11. Special Assignment: What illustration is used in 3:8? Explain how this serves as a conclusion for verses 3-8. 12. What does this teach about the work of prophets? List other passages. 13. What message is proclaimed according to 3:9, and where should it be proclaimed? 14. What was Ashdod, and what is the significance here of Ashdod and Egypt? 15. What reasons are given for the punishments of Samaria in 3:10? 16. What warning of punishment is given to Israel in 3:11? 17. What illustration does 3:12 use for the punishment of Israel? Explain it. 18. What message should be testified against Jacob in 3:13,14? 19. Special Assignment: Explain the significance of the altars of Bethel and why this deserved punishment. Give b/c/v. 20. What else would be destroyed according to 3:15? Why mention these things? Workbook on Amos Page #12  Assignments on Amos 4 Read Amos 4, then answer the following questions. 1. To whom does God speak according to 4:1? For what was Bashan known (Deuteronomy 32:14,15; Psalm 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18; see a map). 2. Who were the cows of Bashan, and for what did God rebuke them? 3. List other passages about the danger of over emphasizing luxury and pleasure. 4. List other passages about proper treatment of the poor. 5. How is their punishment described in 4:2,3? 6. Explain the illustration of the fishhooks. 7. Where did God say the people would transgress – 4:4,5? (Think: What sins were common at these places? See cross-references. See a map.) 8. Special Assignment: List some of the sins that God says they would commit. What is the significance of offering a sacrifice with leaven? 9. For each of the following verses, describe the punishment that God brought on the people for their sins. For each one list another passage that relates to it. Verse 6 – Verses 7,8 – Page #13 Workbook on Amos  Verse 9 – Verse 10 – Verse 11 – 10 What effect did these punishments have on the people? 11. Special Assignment: What lesson is God teaching the people in these verses? 12. What did God say Israel should expect as a result – 4:12? Explain the significance of the expression. 13. List the qualities or works that characterize God according to 4:13. Find other passages that describe these things in relationship to God. 14. Application: What lesson did God intend Israel to learn? And what lessons should we learn? 15. List other passages showing God will judge people for their conduct. Workbook on Amos Page #14  Assignments on Amos 5 Read Amos 5, then answer the following questions. 1. How does Amos describe his message against Israel in 5:1? Define “lamentation.” 2. What does 5:2 say would happen to Israel? (Think: In what sense was Israel a virgin?) 3. How is her destruction described in 5:3? Explain the meaning. 4. According to 5:4-6, whom should Israel not seek? What was significant about these places (check cross-references; see a map)? Whom should Israel seek instead? 5. Why should they seek the Lord – 5:6? What would happen if they refused? 6. Special Assignment: Explain the lessons taught in verses 4-6. 7. What sins did Israel commit according to 5:7? 8. List other passages about the importance of justice. Explain the symbols. 9. Make a list of things God has the power to do according to 5:8,9? 10. What are Pleiades and Orion? List other passages where they are mentioned. Page #15 Workbook on Amos  11. Explain the significance of verses 8,9. (Think: Why does God emphasize that the Lord or Jehovah is the name of the one who does these things?) 12. For what conduct does God rebuke the people in 5:10? 13. Application: List other passages about this sin. Give examples of how people today are sometimes guilty. 14. For what conduct does God rebuke the people in 5:11? What would be the consequences of their conduct? 15. How does God describe this sin in 5:12? 16. How do prudent people respond to such a situation – 5:13? (Think: Consider whether this is an appropriate response.) 17. Instead of the way the people were acting, what should they do according to 5:14,15? 18. What reason is given why the people should make such a change? 19. Application: List other passages about hating evil. What application does this have in a society such as ours that criticizes anyone who speaks out against evil? 20. What consequences are predicted in 5:16,17? Workbook on Amos Page #16  21. What would some people desire – 5:18-20? (Think: Why might they desire this?) 22. List other passages about the day of the Lord. 23. List and explain the illustrations of what this would be like to the people. 24. Application: What reasons are given why the people should not desire this? What lessons should we learn? 25. How did God view the worship the people offered – 5:21-23? What did He say they should do with their worship? (Think: Why would God reject their worship?) 26. List other passages about God’s attitude toward worship from those who disobey Him. 27. Application: What lessons should we learn about our worship and service to God? 28. What must the people do to solve their problem – 5:24? How would this help? 29. What does God ask in 5:25? What is the correct answer, and what is the point? 30. What had the people done according to 5:26? Where is this quoted in the New Testament? (Think: What is the lesson to be learned?) 31. What consequence does God say would come upon the people – 5:27? Page #17 Workbook on Amos  Assignments on Amos 6 Read Amos 6, then answer the following questions. 1. Upon whom is a woe pronounced in 6:1? Who would these people be? 2. Whom else should they observe – 6:2 (see a map)? 3. What lessons should be learned from observing these other places? 4. What did they do to deserve a woe – 6:3? Explain the significance. 5. List the luxurious pleasures in which they indulged according to 6:4-6. 6. What did the people not think was important – 6:6? Explain. 7. List other passages about the danger of over emphasis on materialism and possessions. 8. List other passages about the problem of over emphasizing pleasure and entertainment. 9. Application: What lessons should people today learn from this example? 10. Special Assignment: Did David sin by inventing instruments of music? Give b/c/v. Is the Old Testament authority for our worship today? Hebrews 10:1-10; 7:11-14; 8:6-13; 9:1-4; Galatians 3:24,25; 5:1-6; Colossians 2:13-17 Workbook on Amos Page #18  11. What kind of music is used in worship in the New Testament (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; etc.)? 12. What would happen to the people as a result – 6:7? 13. How did God view the people – 6:8? Explain the significance. 14. What will happen to those in a house – 6:9,10? How thorough would the destruction be? (Think: What is the significance of not mentioning the name of God?) 15. What command would God give regarding the houses – 6:11? 16. What rhetorical questions are asked in 6:12? What is the significance of them? 17. What had the people done (verse 12)? Explain the illustrations? How does this relate to the rhetorical questions? 18. In what did the people rejoice – 6:13? What is the meaning of Lo Debar and Karnaim? 19. Application: Had the people really accomplished great things by their own strength? What lessons should we learn? 20. What punishment would come on the people – 6:14? Explain the significance of Hamath the valley of the Arabah (see a map). Page #19 Workbook on Amos  Assignments on Amos 7 Read Amos 7, then answer the following questions. 1. Describe what Amos saw in his first vision – 7:1. 2. How did Amos respond to the vision – 7:2? 3. What troubled Amos about this, and what request did he make? 4. What conclusion did God reach – 7:3? 5. Describe what Amos saw in the next vision – 7:4. 6. How did Amos respond to this vision, and what request did he make – 7:5? 7. What conclusion did God reach – 7:6? 8. Application: What can we learn from the requests of Amos about the power of prayer? Give other similar examples elsewhere. Workbook on Amos Page #20  9. What did Amos see in the next vision – 7:7,8? 10. What is a plumb line, and what did God intend to do with it? 11. What would the result be – 7:9? 12. Explain the illustration and give other similar examples in Scripture. 13. Application: What do the Scriptures teach about the importance of following God’s standard or pattern. List other passages. 14. Who made an accusation against Amos, and what accusation did he make – 7:10? 15. What did he accuse Amos of having said – 7:11? Was this an accurate accusation? 16. What did he tell Amos to do – 7:12,13? Page #21 Workbook on Amos  17. List other passages in which people oppose those who teach the truth. 18. Application: Give examples in which people today sometimes do similar things. 19. What answer did Amos give to Amaziah – 7:14,15? 20. Explain how the response Amos gave would answer the accusations of Amaziah. 21. Application: What lessons should we learn from the response Amos gave? 22. What consequences did Amos say would come upon Amaziah – 7:16,17? 23. Explain how this was an appropriate response to the accusation Amaziah had made. 24. Application: What lessons should we learn from the stand that Amos took? Workbook on Amos Page #22  Assignments on Amos 8 Read Amos 8, then answer the following questions. 1. Describe what Amos saw in the vision in 8:1-3. 2. What did the Lord say would be the meaning of the vision? 3. Special Assignment: Explain the connection between the vision and the application God made. (What would happen to a basket of summer fruit after it was harvested?) 4. List the accusations the Lord made against the people in 8:4-6. 5. Explain the meaning of the small ephah and the large shekel. 6. List other passages about dishonest business practices. 7. Application: What lessons should we learn from these accusations against Israel? 8. Explain the significance of their desire for the New Moon and the Sabbath to be past. 9. Application: Do people today ever wish to do something other than worship God? Explain. 10. What did God swear in 8:7? List other similar passages. Page #23 Workbook on Amos  11. Application: What should we learn from God’s promise to remember Israel’s sins? 12. What consequence did God describe in 8:8? Explain the meaning of swelling, heaving, and subsiding like a river. 13. Explain the symbolism of 8:9. Where else are such symbols used in prophecy? 14. What would the consequence be to the people – 8:10? Explain the significance of sackcloth and baldness. 15. What punishment did God predict in 8:11,12? 16. List other similar passages. 17. Application: Explain why a lack of prophetic revelation would constitute a punishment. What should we learn? 18. What would happen to the virgins and the strong young men – 8:13? (Think: If so, what would happen to those who are elderly and feeble?) 19. What error did the people commit according to 8:14? (Think: What is the significance of Samaria, Dan, and Beersheeba?) 20. What happened to the people as a result? Workbook on Amos Page #24  Assignments on Amos 9 Read Amos 9, then answer the following questions. 1. Describe the vision that Amos saw in 9:1. What punishment would God bring? 2. In 9:2-4 God describes various places people might attempt to go to escape from Him. List these places and tell in each case what would happen to the people. 3. List other passages showing that people cannot hide from God or escape the consequences of their sins. 4. How does 9:5 describe God’s ability to bring calamities on the earth? (Think: What is the significance of the earth swelling and subsiding like a river?) 5. What does God do according to 9:6? Explain. 6. Why does God emphasize His name in this connection? (What significance does this have as compared to idolatry?) 7. To what nations does God compare Israel in 9:7 (see a map)? What does God claim He did for them? 8. Special Assignment: What lessons is God teaching Israel by this comparison? Page #25 Workbook on Amos  9. How does God describe the kingdom in 9:8, and what does He say He will do to it? How complete would the ruin be? 10. List other passages about the remnant of Israel or Judah. 11. According to 9:9, what will God do to the people? Explain the illustration. 12. Application: In what way would 9:9 be reassuring to the remnant? What benefit can this lesson be to us? 13. What would happen to those who thought no calamity would overtake them – 9:10? 14. Case Study: What application can this context have to the doctrine of once saved always saved? 15. What will happen to the tabernacle of David according to 9:11,12? 16. Where is this quoted in the New Testament, and what use is made of it? Workbook on Amos Page #26  17. Special Assignment: In what sense has David’s tabernacle now been rebuilt, and what is the consequence to the doctrine that the reign of Christ over His kingdom must be fulfilled in a future millennium? 18. List other passages that show whether Jesus now reigns as King over His kingdom. 19. What does 9:13 predict would happen? 20. Explain the meaning of 9:13, remembering that the context is describing the work of the Messiah. 21. What does 9:14 say would happen to the captives of God’s people? 22. Explain the meaning of verse 14, again remembering the context is Messianic. 23. What blessing is finally predicted in 9:15? Once again, explain remembering the application to the coming of Jesus. (Hint: What is the New Testament significance of entering the promised land?) 24. Application: Summarize the sins Israel committed according to Amos, which we should also avoid. Page #27 Workbook on Amos  Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at www.gospelway.com/sales Free Bible study articles online at www.gospelway.com Free Bible courses online at www.biblestudylessons.com Free class books at www.biblestudylessons.com/classbooks Free commentaries on Bible books at www.biblestudylessons.com/commentary Contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Free e-mail Bible study newsletter at www.gospelway.com/update_subscribe.htm Workbook on Amos Page #28