Summer Bible Study: The Minor Prophets Description for the Connect and Pastoral Teams- Tucked away at the end of the Old Testament is an often neglected section of books called the Minor Prophets or The Twelve Prophets. We believe that all of God s Word is profitable and do not want to neglect any instruction God has for His people. Therefore, our goal during the summer of 2017 is for everyone who calls the Chapel their church home to gain a working understanding of 11 of these books (we covered Jonah in both our Gospel in Relationships and our Movement of God s People series) and to begin or continue to apply their teaching to every aspect of our discipleship journey. We will do this in four ways: 1. Create a one sentence statement that encapsulates the essence of the book. 2. Look behind the text- examine the biblical and historical context in which and to which the book was written (8 th century B.C. Assyrian period, Babylonian period, or Persian/Restoration period). 3. Look at the text- present a working outline of the book, so the congregation knows where to slot the passage you have chosen and exegete one passage of choice from the book (the outline of the text would fit well between the end of the look behind the text and the start of the look at the text). 4. Look in front of the text- explain what the chosen text or book as a whole has to say to us as individuals or collectively as a church community (application section). As we engage the look in front of the text section of the sermon, keep in mind that we want to continue to get our congregation in a movement mindset and help people see their role in the Gospel movement. As we preach, keep in mind a good portion of congregants will have interacted with the text using the reading plan developed by the Chapel s pastoral team. Let s make sure we review the plan and questions each week as part of our sermon preparation. Scripture Reading- We will use our SM and CM Summer Interns to read scripture each week. Description for the Chapel Family- God s people have always needed truth tellers. God s people have always needed stern calls to repentance. God s people have always needed reminders of God s faithfulness to the very end of the age. In the Old Testament God provided prophets to meet these needs. Prophets ensured truth was spoken to the powerful, repentance was held up as the only viable option in the face of sin, and God s promises were proclaimed in days of greatest distress. One could summarize the work of prophets in three words: reality, grief, and hope. This summer we will study a small section of the Old Testament known as the Minor Prophets, also known as the Twelve Prophets. Despite beginning as separate books, traditionally they were sewn together into one scroll. The unity of the scroll from which ancient rabbis taught these books points to their unified message of God s steadfast faithfulness and unyielding
determination to rescue His people from the utter destruction that lies in wait inside and outside their community. Today we see their unity also points us to God s ultimate rescue plan, the incarnation of God Himself in Jesus Christ the Messiah about whom The Twelve so clearly speak. This summer we invite everyone who calls the Chapel their church home to go on a journey exploring the reality, grief, and hope about which the Twelve Prophets speak. Our prayer is that our journey together will lead us to our ultimate hope: God, made known in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Please consider participating in our Summer Reading Challenge to deepen your engagement with God s Word. You may download a reading plan or sign up for alerts at wcchapel.org/summerreadingchallenge. Note: If you are interested in deepening your understanding of the book of Jonah, you may listen to two of our series, The Gospel in Relationships from the winter of 2016 and/or The Movement of God s People from the fall of 2016. Series Name- Summer Bible Study: Minor Prophets Scriptural Basis- Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi Unifying Element- Summer Reading Challenge: Typically, a pastor and a congregant will walk through their experience with the reading plan that week. Each Summer Reading Challenge will end with one participant sharing one verse from the reading plan that challenged his/her relationship with Jesus. When possible, the two people who engaged in the dialogue on the platform will head to the foyer to host Summer Reading Check-In following each service to continue the dialogue with congregants who also have questions. If needed or desired other pastors/staff could be assigned to the Summer Reading Check-In table. Resources- Summer Reading Guide- The Minor Prophets
Key Dates- 5/15-8/7 Travis on Sabbatical 6/4-9/3 Summer attire (sport coats/blazer with no ties) 6/11 Trinity Sunday and Chapel Family Update 4 6/13-8/30 Planning for 2017-2018 Annual Focus 7/2, 7/30, 9/3 Communion by intinction 7/24-28 VBS 8/6 SM Missions Experience and Baptismal service 4 8/10-11 GLS 8/30 August All Staff Meeting Dates- 6/11-9/3 (13 weeks with a series break on7/30 and 8/6)
I. June 11 (Trinity Sunday) Preacher- Rich Sermon Title- The Call of the Prophets Scripture Reading- Isaiah 7:1-17 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Isaiah 6:1-13, Isaiah 8-12 (really 1-12 is a great picture of the whole range of prophetic function. The reading plan will be based on Isaiah 1-12). Connection to series resource- Isaiah 1-12 reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Hunter and congregant i. Intro series ii. The role of prophets for God s people iii. The call of prophets iv. The prophetic tasks of Reality, Grief and Hope Note: Chapel Family Update at 6:30 II. June 18 Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Amos Scripture Reading- Amos 1:1-2:8 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Amos 1-9 Connection to series resource- Amos reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Hunter and congregant i. First prophet we study from the 8 th century B.C. ii. Cracks in the foundation of the faith community during times of prosperity iii. Caring for the poor iv. Consequences of disobedience v. Reality, grief, hope Note: pray for Nicaragua mission team that leaves on 6/20 III. June 25 Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Hosea Scripture Reading- Hosea 1:1-11 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Hosea 1-14 Connection to series resource- Hosea reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Rich and congregant
i. God s faithfulness in the face of His peoples unfaithfulness Note: Stephen Ministry Commissioning: Claude officiates/pray for Nicaragua mission team that returns on 6/25 IV. July 2 Preacher- Claude Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Micah Scripture Reading- Micah 1:1-9 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Micah 1-7 Connection to series resource- Micah reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Wes and congregant i. Conviction in God s courtroom ii. Vindication by God s messiah Notes: Independence Day weekend/pray for North Carolina mission team that leaves today/communion by intinction Sunday Rich celebrating V. July 9 Preacher- Claude Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Habakkuk Scripture Reading- Habakkuk 1:1-17 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Habakkuk 1-3 Connection to series resource- Habakkuk reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Rich and congregant i. First prophet we study from the Babylonian period ii. Trusting God s plan in the midst of uncertainty iii. Praising God in the midst of suffering iv. Waiting on God Note: pray for Nashville mission team that leaves today VI. July 16 Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Zephaniah Scripture Reading- Zephaniah 1:1-18 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Zephaniah 1-3
Connection to series resource- Zephaniah reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Rich and congregant i. The coming day of the LORD ii. God preparing people for the message of salvation iii. Repentance Note: pray for Norfolk mission team that leaves on 7/20 VII. July 23 Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Obadiah and Nahum Scripture Reading- Obadiah 1:1-4 and Nahum 1:1-11 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Obadiah 1-21, Nahum 1-3 Connection to series resource- Obadiah and Nahum reading plan Summer Reading Challenge- Wes and child i. God punishment of Israel s enemies Note: pray for VBS and the SM Senior Retreat which will begin the following day VIII. July 30 (series break and Chapel Family Worship VBS) Preacher- Rich Sermon Title- God Made You (Maker Fun Factory VBS Curriculum Day 1) Scripture Reading- Genesis 1:26-30 Connection to series resource- Summer Reading Challenge catch up week i. Created by God, built for a purpose ii. Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth iii. Connecting the original creation and commands back to movement Notes: Series Break/Chapel Family Worship VBS/Communion by intinction Luke celebrating
IX. August 6 (series break and Chapel Family Worship SM Missions Experience and baptismal service 4) Preacher- Luke Sermon Title- The Beautiful Struggle (SM missions training theme) Scripture Reading- Acts 9:1-9 Connection to series resource- Summer Reading Challenge catch up week i. Paul s encounter with Jesus as a paradigm for how students might process their encounters with Jesus on the SM missions trips ii. Pictures of life transformation through baptism Note: Communion for August took place on July 30/Travis returns from Sabbatical on 8/8 X. August 13 Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Zechariah Scripture Reading- Zechariah 1:1-17 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Zechariah 1-14 Connection to series resource- Zechariah reading guide Summer Reading Challenge- Travis and Hunter i. Encouragement for Judah s future ii. Unpacking how God speaks in vivid word pictures iii. Completing the temple iv. The coming Messiah Note: Travis is back in service from Sabbatical/thank staff and congregation XI. August 20 Preacher- Travis Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Haggai Scripture Reading- Haggai 1:1-15 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Haggai 1-2 Connection to series resource- Haggai reading guide Summer Reading Challenge- Wes and congregant i. First prophet we study from the restoration period ii. Answering God s calling iii. Restoration after traumatic loss iv. Finding satisfaction in God alone
XII. August 27 Preacher- Travis Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Joel Scripture Reading- Joel 1:1-20 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Joel 1-3 Connection to series resource- Joel reading guide Summer Reading Challenge- Rich and Travis i. The Day of the LORD ii. Repentance iii. Trusting God for Salvation iv. Note: dating Joel is difficult. Will be spending more time in front of the text using Joel to apply themes from the Minor Prophets as a whole XIII. September 3 Preacher- Rich Sermon Title- The Minor Prophets: Malachi Scripture Reading- Malachi 1:1-14 i. Addl. Context for Scripture Reading- Malachi 1-4 Connection to series resource- Titus reading guide Summer Reading Challenge- Hunter and congregant i. Blemished sacrifices ii. Looking ahead to the coming Messiah iii. The interesting ending to the Old Testament iv. Closing out the series Note: Communion by intinction Travis celebrating Moving toward the fall - Opening fall series begins: 9/10 or 9/17-3 rd Quarter Chapel Family Update: 9/17 - Small Group Launch: 9/24 (if we want a two-week launch, Travis recommends 9/17 and 9/24) - Commitment Sunday 11/5-4 th Quarter Chapel Family Update: 11/19 - Service of Baptism (1) and Thanksgiving: 11/26-1 st Sunday of Advent: 12/3