Lesson 5b: Prophetic Books – Minor Prophets Part 2
Lesson 5b:Prophetic Books – Minor Prophets Part 2
Books:Nahum to Malachi
Specific Objectives:
By the end of this session, the student will be able to:
- Know the fourth division of the bible (Prophetic Books – Minor Prophets)
- Tell how many books the Minor Prophets consists of
- Name the first six (6) and the last six books of the Minor prophets
- To equip the student with the proper understanding of the messages of the Minor Prophets
- Recite the memory verse
Bible Reference
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Words to Remember
Prophecy – a message inspired by God, a divine revelation; it involves a process in which one or more messages are communicated to a prophet by God then communicated to other people
Prophet – a person who speaks God’s truth to others. It comes from the Greek word prophetes, which can mean “one who speaks forth” or “advocate.”
Minor Prophets – also known as Twelve Prophets or Book of the Twelve; it is a collection of writings in the Old Testament from 12 different men inspired by God.
The term “Minor” relates to the length of each book (ranging from a single chapter to fourteen)
Pre-Session Activity
Greet the children as they arrive. Make certain that you know their names. As they arrive, have each child joins in a circle or around a table. Play a game, sing a song or give them activity to introduce the new lesson.
Beginners : Coloring activity or review
Primary : Word hunt
Look for the names of the prophets
Intermediate: Word hunt
Look for the names of the prophets
LESSON PROPER
- PREPARATION and MOTIVATION
Teacher, review what we have learned so far about the Bible.
(Make sure that all students will be able to answer all the questions correctly)- What are the two primary divisions of the Bible? (Old & New Testament)
- How many books the Bible consists of? (66 books)
- How many books the Old Testament consists of? (39 books)
- How many books the New Testament consists of? (27 books)
- What is the first division of the Old Testament? (Books of Law)
- What is the collective name for the first five books of the Bible? (Pentateuch)
- What are the first five books of the bible? (G-E-Le-N-D)
- What is the second division of the Old Testament? (Books of History)
- Name the twelve books of history. (J-J-R-SS-KK-CC-E-N-E)
- What is the third division of the Old Testament? (Books of Poetry)
- Name the five books of Poetry. (J-P-P-E-S)
- What is the fourth division of the Old Testament? (Prophetic Books)
- What is the first part of the Prophetic Books? (Major Prophets)
- Name the five books of the Major Prophets. (Is-Jer-Lam-Ez-Da)
- Name the first six books of the Minor prophets (H-J-A-O-J-M)
Teacher: Last week we learned about the first six books of the Minor Prophets. Today we will learn about the last six books of the Prophetic Books called the Minor Prophets. This division consists of 12 books in it and each book reveals that God called the prophets to deliver His messages to His people. But for this week, we will be talking about the last six (6) books.
2. INTRODUCTION
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
When we speak of The Minor Prophets we refer to twelve (12) books namely Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Though their messages were shorter, they were no less powerful nor less needed. They should not be shunned simply because they are labelled minor and not major.
The Bible’s Minor Prophets were simple ordinary people like you and I. However, each one was called by God to deliver His messages. Their individual works were meaningful not only to specific peoples of the Northern or Southern Kingdoms of Israel at that time, but are also significant throughout the centuries including today. These servants are called Minor Prophets not because of the importance of their prophecies, but due to of the length of their messages compared to the Major Prophets. These books provide messages containing promises, assurances, and warnings for disobedience to God.
And for today’s lesson we will be discussing the continuation of the books of the Minor Prophets. We will be talking about the last six books of the Minor Prophets
3. LESSON
- NAHUM – God’s judgement against Nineveh
Nahum – “comforter”Nahum preached to the city of Nineveh 100 years after Jonah had preached to the city. The LORD had harsh words for Nineveh, who had again become disobedient to Him, but this time Nineveh would not escape destruction. The city was destroyed in 612 BC. Nahum’s name means “Comforter”, but Nahum is not trying to comfort the people. He is trying to stir them up to repent from their serving of false gods and idols. Nineveh would have no more peace. God was against them, and why? Because they were full of wickedness. Nahum tells us more of God’s nature. He says that God is good, yet He is jealous.Note: You can review on Jonah’s warning to Nineveh and how they repented after hearing about God’s judgement.
Key verse/s: Nahum 1:2-3
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. - HABAKKUK – God embracing Judah
Habakkuk – “embrace”Habakkuk wrote his small, three-chapter book right before God’s people went into Babylonian captivity. Instead of writing in the unusual style of ‘prophet speaking to the people’ , the book of Habakkuk is written with God and Habakkuk speaking to each other. Habakkuk would ask a question or wonder out loud at something and God would answer. He felt comfortable speaking to the LORD God and asking questions. Habakkuk didn’t understand why wickedness consumed God’s people. God responded and said something that would be happening : He was going to raise up Babylonians to punish Judah. Habakkuk trembled and was afraid of the things that God said would happen to His people because of their wickedness and disobedience, but Habakkuk also believed and trusted in God. He said that the LORD was his strength.Key verse/s: Habakkuk 1:2-3
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
- ZEPHANIAH – God’s anger , Remnant of God’s people
Zephaniah means “Jehovah hides”.Zepahaniah was King Hezekiah’s great-great-grandson. Zephaniah was preaching at the same time as Jeremiah in the days of Josiah, a few years before Nineveh fell. God spoke to Zephaniah many things concerning Judah, telling them the many terrible things that would happen if they continued to worship false gods. The people did not listen to God’s prophets and they suffered the consequences of being disobedient. God was a jealous God and He wanted His people to serve Him only, but they continued to look to their surrounding neighboring nations and copied them. God would allow the people to go into Babylonian Captivity. Zephaniah said there would still be a remnant or a few people who would worship God with their whole hearts and God would listen to them and take care of them. God would save the remnant and would be with them. The remnant was the good people who served God.Key verse/s: Zephaniah 3:20
At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes[e] before your very eyes,” says the Lord - HAGGAI – God as the first priority
Haggai’s name means “Festival” or “Joyous One.”He preached at the same time Zechariah preached. After the Babylonians had taken God’s people to Babylon and held them captive because of their disobedience to God and serving idols, a small amount of people, or a remnant, was finally allowed to return to Jerusalem. Haggai was among the first group to return to Jerusalem led by Zerubbabel, who was the governor of Judah. When the people returned to Jerusalem, they were more concerned with building their own homes and getting their own affairs in order and had not rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. God was displeased about this and spoke to Haggai who in turn spoke to the leaders of God’s people and reminded them to get busy and build the temple.Haggai scolded the people for not being busy with the LORD’s work. Haggai told them to build the house of the LORD. He told them to put God first!There are five messages in Haggai’s four sermons. They are:
- “Thus says the LORD of Hosts.” “Build the temple!” “Consider your ways!” “Sin is contagious and pollutes.” “There is a better day ahead!”
Key verse/s: Haggai 1:8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.
- ZECHARIAH – Building of the temple and coming of God’s kingdom
Zechariah’s name means “Whom Jehovah Remembers”He was preaching and prophesying at the same time Haggai was preaching to God’s people. Zechariah had a series of eight visions from God. Some of the visions were concerning the temple and how God wanted the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. While one of Haggai’s messages to God’s people was, “Build the temple!,” Zechariah was also saying the same thing at the same time. Many of Zechariah’s visions were concerning the coming Messiah which was Christ and concerning the church. Zechariah’s visions from God looked to a future kingdom which was the church with a future king who was Christ.
Key verse/s:
Zechariah 1:3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. - MALACHI – The messenger to come
Malachi means “My Messenger.”Malachi is the last Old Testament prophet until John the Baptist. In fact, Malachi foretold the coming of John in his book. The book of Malachi is written in a “teaching conversation” style where God has a conversation with Israel. It begins with Israel questioning God if He loves them. By the time Malachi wrote his book, the people were even more disobedient. One huge problem was the priests. In Malachi’s time, the priests were not doing their jobs. The priests were a stumbling block to the people. The people of Judah were robbing God by withholding their money. They were not giving their best for the Lord. Malachi said that God would bring judgment on those that practiced sorcery and witchcraft, those who were unfaithful to their wives, those who told lies, those who were unkind to the widows and orphans, and those who did not honor Him. But, God would spare the remnant, the people who still loved God and obeyed Him. He would take care of them as long as they obeyed Him. He will do the same for us today. After Malachi was written, there were no prophets of God until John the Baptist.Key verse/s:
Malachi 3:10“ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”Malachi 3:1″I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.”
Memory Verse
2 Tim 3:16
Beginners : “All Scripture is breathed out by God,”
Primary : “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
Intermediate : “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
Questions to Ponder
-
- What is the second part of the Prophetic Books? (Minor Prophets)
- What does the book of Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi means?
- Why were God’s people being punished? (They were disobeying Him)
- What is the consequence of sin? (Punishment-death, separation from God)
- What is the main message of Prophet Nahum? (Repentance)
- Who is the prophet that told the people that they should build the temple of God first? (Haggai)
- Name the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament.
Life Application
The message of the Minor Prophets even though they are not that long should not be disregarded. They tell us of the Lord’s love to us but still, He is a just God. He doesn’t tolerate evil things and is jealous. He wants us to put Him first in everything that we do. We are always being loved by the Lord. Just like how there are still remnants of Israel after the bad things have happened to them, God still shows His love to us even if we make mistakes. We should always continue to seek Him in everything we do. As kids, we should know how to glorify the Lord in everywhere we go, in school, at home, at church and even if we are alone.
Activity
- Beginners : (Craft) – to create the first six books of Minor Prophets
Materials –printed cut-out letters, pictures, coloring - Primary : (Craft) – to create the first six books of Minor Prophets
Materials –printed cut-out letters, pictures, coloring - Intermediate : (Craft) – to create a picture Bible “pop-up”
Close in Prayer
Father, again, we thank You for our Bibles. They are truly remarkable and special books. I pray that You would in still in our hearts a love for Your word and a desire to read and understand all that You have made sure was written down for us. You’ve given us Your word so that we might have all that we need for life and godliness. And for that we are truly grateful. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.
