The Prophets' Problems: Devotional Guide

This summer we are exploring a sermon series called The Prophets’ Problems. Each week we will discover the main theme of one of the 12 minor prophets (starting in Hosea and ending in Malachi). 


To help you engage with this series, we’ve put together a supplementary devotional guide. Each week consists of 5 days of devotional practices, which include scripture reading, watching videos, listening to music, journaling, spiritual exercises, and prayer. These devotional practices are designed to be completed anytime during the week leading up to the sermon.  

Hosea

Introduction: This week is about knowing God–not about knowing about God or being able to do the right things on Sunday. It’s about knowing and experiencing God in relationship throughout the whole week. At the same time, it is an opportunity to examine our unfaithfulness to God and God’s restoration in spite of our unfaithfulness.  

  • Read (5 min): Skim the Book of Hosea

    • Choose your favorite version, but preferably one that has paragraphs and headings.
    • Locate the Book of Hosea in your Bible of Bible app (or use this version online). 
    • Do not read the text.  
    • Read the headings (or first few words of a section) and move quickly through the lines of text but don’t read every word.  
    • Don’t take more than 5 minutes.  

    Look for certain things: 

    • How does the book flow?  
    • Where are the section breaks? 
    • Where does it switch from prose to poetry? 
    • What things stand out in the structure of the book? 
    • What repeated words of phrases stand out to you?  


    Watch (8 min): Book of Hosea Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the story of the book and the overall themes of the sections.  


    Pray (2 min): Spend a few minutes speaking to God in your own words.  

    • Ask for God to guide and direct your time together this week.  
    • Ask for knowledge of God, not knowledge about God but the experience of a relationship with God.  


  • Listen (3 min): Hosea (Come Back To Me) 

    • As you listen, ask the question: How does this song reflect the character and heart of God?  


    Read (5 min): Hosea Chapters 1-3

    • Read through these chapters quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Look for the big themes of covenant, unfaithfulness, and restoration.  


    Reflect and Pray (6 min): Take some time to think through these questions in prayer. Ask God to guide and direct your thoughts and pay attention to the places your mind goes.  

    1. Do any of these chapters trigger anything in you? This chapter speaks very candidly about adultery, sexuality, prostitution, children born from adultery, and slavery. Hosea is not addressing adultery or sexuality. These chapters are using this provocative imagery to describe the relationship between Israel and God. But before going further, ask God this question: Do these images bring up specific situations from my story, especially those that are painful or overwhelming?  
    • If so, acknowledge that part of your story to God and ask God to help you set it aside for now.  
    • If you are not about to set it aside, then stop here. Instead, read Psalm 116. Let it be a reflection of your story and your prayer to God.  
    1. What is stirring in your mind and your heart? These chapters are meant to be an allegory that describes Israel’s unfaithfulness with God. Gomer symbolizes God’s people, both men and women. And we, like ancient Israel, have also broken God’s covenant. What stirs in you when you are confronted with your own unfaithfulness to God? What excuses do you make?  
    2. Take a moment to be uncomfortable. Ask God to reveal to you the specific ways that you are unfaithful and the specific things that draw your love away from God. Think of the things you rely on for security. Think of the things you seek for pleasure.  
    3. Ask God to remove the things that draw your love away from God.  


    Read (1 min): Hosea 2:21-23

    • Ask God to help you know that you are loved and you are one of his people.  

  • Read (7 min): Hosea Chapters 4-11

    • Read through these chapters quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Look for the big themes of Israel's unfaithfulness, the consequences of unfaithfulness, and the hope of Gods’ love.  


    Listen (3 min): Hosea

    • Think back to the ways you have been unfaithful to God.  
    • As you listen to this song, ask God to heal and restore you, to respond and to give you life.  


    Journal (5 min): Knowledge of God

    • In prayer, think back through your life and ask the question: Where has God responded or arrived?    
    • Look for times and places where you have experienced God, whether in big ways or in small ways.  
    • As you think of times and places, write them in a list.   

  • Read (5 min): Hosea Chapters 12-14

    • Read through these chapters quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Look for the big themes of Israel's history, repentance, and Gods’ promise.  


    Exercise (10 min): Repentance

    • On a scrap piece of paper, make a list of the things (other than God) that offer you security, protection, safety, and the good life. Especially think of the things that you turn to when you are anxious or afraid. (Examples: money, food, news, politics, relationships, family, jobs, retirement funds, etc.) 
    • Read this prayer (from Hosea 14:2-3) aloud, replacing the blank with the first item from your list. Repeat this for every item on your list.  

    Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

    _______________ cannot save us; we will not trust in _________________.

    We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.

    • Read Hosea 14:4 aloud three times as God’s response.  

  • Read (5 min): Hosea 4:1-9

    • Read these verses slowly.  
    • As you read, think about the theme of Israel’s unfaithfulness throughout the whole book of Hosea.  


    Read (5 min): Hosea 6:1-3

    • Read these verses slowly.  
    • As you read, think about the theme of God’s healing and restoration throughout the whole book of Hosea.  


    Exercise (5 min): Knowing God throughout the day

    • Set five alarms on your phone.
    • Choose random times throughout the day (something like 8:18, 10:10, 12:34, 3:33, and 7:07).  
    • When an alarm goes off, quickly pray through these two questions:
    1. What am I doing right now? 
    2. How can I know or experience God while doing this thing?  

  • Song: Hosea & Gomer by Bre'Ana Whiting (feat. Tned)


    Video: The Hosea Love Story (A modern day telling of the book of Hosea)

Joel

Introduction: This week invites us into the whole history of God’s people and calls us to join them to repentance.  We call on God to pour out his Spirit, transform our hearts, and restore Eden on earth.  

  • Listen (16 min): The Book of Joel

    • Listen to the entire book of Joel.  
    • As you listen, try to imagine the impact of these words to the people of Israel as they first heard Joel speak: a people sitting in the midst of devastation with danger still threatening, a people turning to God while acknowledging their own guilt, and a people yearning for a future where God restores their joy.  


    Pray (1 min): Respond to God

    • Talk to God and express whatever is on your heart of mind in response to hearing these words.  

  • Watch (7 min): Book of Joel Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the way that the message of Joel fits into the whole story of the Scripture.  


    Listen (5 min): Hear This

    • As you listen, reflect on the story of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) and your connection to that story.  


    Reflect (3 min): The story of Scripture

    • Take a few minutes and think through the stories of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament).
    • Reflect on the stories where humans have chosen evil and brought destruction.  
    • (If you need help, flip through Genesis, Judges, or Kings.)
    • End by acknowledging that even in the devastation, God is still present.  

  • Exercise (15-30 mins): Fasting

    • Fasting is the practice of going without food for a period of time for a specific reason.  
    • The time that is normally spent eating is replaced with prayer.  
    • For this exercise, consider going without lunch and working through the rest of these exercises during your normal lunch time.  
    • If you are unable to go without food, consider delaying a meal slightly and going through these exercises right before you eat.  


    Read: Joel 1:13-15

    • As you read these words, remember the stories of deviation that you reflected on yesterday.  


    Prayer: Work through the following prompts and questions in prayer with God.  

    1. Self check: How are you feeling? Pay attention to your body. What is your body communicating to you?  
    2. Center your time: Express your desire to meet with God. Ask God to give you a desire for his presence that is greater than your desire for food.  
    3. Personal Repentance: Examine yourself with God. If you become aware of sin in your life, confess it to God. For the purpose of this time, keep your personal repentance brief.  
    4. Corporate Repentance: Spend an extended time reflecting on the sins of the church and confessing these to God. Don’t think about the sins of our culture, but think specifically at the sins that are committed by Christains. Don’t think of your personal failures, but think of the ways that all Christians fall short of God’s call to be perfect. The goal of this exercise is to see yourself as part of the church (the assembly) and to join in the confession of the whole church. 

  • Read (3 min): Joel 2:12-14

    • As you read these verses, remember the time of corporate confession from yesterday.  
    • As you come to descriptions of God’s character, connect them to all the stories of God’s faithfulness and restoration in Scripture.  


    Listen (5 min): Remember and Proclaim

    • As you listen to this song, think about the words of the chorus.
    • Remember: remember who God is and the things that are true of his character. 
    • Proclaim: think of the ways that God has shown his grace and mercy to you.


    Journal (7 min): Remember

    • Take some time to write down your experiences based on these three prompts:  
    1. List times in your life when you experienced God’s grace, compassion, and abounding love. 
    2. List times in your life when you experienced God as being slow to anger and relents from punishment.  
    3. Which is easier to identify? Why?  

  • Read (3 min): Joel 2:28-32

    • As you read these words, remember that Peter quoted them as a description of the church.  
    • Remember that what Joel longed to see is happening today and that you are part of it.  


    Listen (5 min): Holy Visitation (Between Porch and Altar) 

    • As you listen, think about the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church throughout history and today.  


    Prayer (7 min): Asking for God’s Spirit

    • Open a news website (like this one) and look through the headlines. 
    • Do not read the stories.  
    • Instead, for each (and every) headline, ask these two things:
    1. God, pour out his spirit on men and women who are already involved in this situation.  
    2. God, restore the blessing of Eden (abundance, fruitfulness, peace) to this situation. 

  • Album: We Will Remember: Songs Inspired by the Book of Joel by Christopher Williams


    Song: Joel 2 by Sarah & Andrew Ross


Amos

Introduction: This week is an exploration of God’s justice, especially for those who are experiencing poverty and oppression.  The invitation this week is to see that our worship is inseparably connected to the way we love our neighbors. 

  • Watch (7 min): Book of Amos Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the role of geography and the connection between Amos’s visions and his historical circumstances.  


    Read (5 min): Skim the Book of Amos

    • Choose your favorite version, but preferably one that has paragraphs and headings.
    • Do not read the text.  
    • Read the headings (or first few words of a section) and move quickly through the lines of text but don’t read every word.  
    • Don’t take more than 5 minutes.  

    Look for certain things: 

    • Look for the targeted geography in chapters 1 & 2 that leads up to Israel.  
    • Look for the continued use of specific geography throughout the rest of the book.  
    • Look for messages directed toward Israel’s leaders.  
    • Look for the shift into visions and their explanations.  
    • Look for key words like justice and righteousness.  


    Pray (3 min): Spend a few minutes speaking to God in your own words.  

    • Ask for God to guide and direct your time together this week.  
    • Ask God for courage to see and confront injustice in your own life and in your community.  

  • Read (3 min): Amos 2:6-16

    • As you read these words, remember that Amos is speaking to his own people.  
    • Think of this not as a message to “them” but a message to “us.”


    Reflection and Prayer (7 min): Four Sins

    • In prayer, reflect on the shortcomings of our church.  
    • If God addressed the four sins of Terre Haute First Baptist Church, what would they be?  
    • Think particularly about how we treat the poor and marginalized in our community.
    • Spend some time confessing these sins to God.    


    Listen (5 min): Let Justice Roll

    • As you listen, let the words of this song be your prayer.  

  • Read (2 min): Amos 5:21-24

    • As you read these words, replace “religious feasts” and “burnt offerings” with “worship services” and “Bible studies.”  


    Exercise (13 min): Learn about our community

    • In prayer, ask God to help you learn more about poverty in our community.  
    • Take some time to look through the Economic Indicators Report from The ARDA.  
    • This specific report includes people living within a five mile radius of First Baptist Church.  

    Pay attention to these specific things:

    1. Look for the concentration of wealth and poverty based on geographic location.  
    2. Look at the percentage of people in our community who live in poverty.  
    3. Compare Terre Haute to the USA for both the lowest and highest levels of household income.  

    ECONOMIC INDICATORS REPORT FROM THE ARDA


    If you would like to see more data or adjust the geographical area, visit the Community Profile Builder from The ARDA and follow their instructions.  

  • Read (3 min): Amos 9:11-15

    • As you read these words, picture the abundance of the Garden in Eden.  


    Reflection and Prayer (7 min): Abundance

    • In prayer, reflect on the abundance our church has experienced.  
    • If God overwhelmed our community with abundance, what would it look like?  
    • Spend some time asking God to fill our community with his abundance.    


    Listen (5 min): The Justice Song

    • As you listen, let the words of this song be your prayer.  

  • Watch (12 min): Spoken Gospel: Amos

    • As you watch this artistic summary of Amos, look for the image of flowing water and listen for the phrase, “Seek God by seeking good.”  


    Prayer (3 min): Thanksgiving

    • Spend a few minutes to respond and thank God for the justice and mercy of the cross.  

  • Website: Terre Haute Community Profile by Data USA

    • This site is a deeper dive into the community data on Terre Haute.


    Song: Let Justice Roll (Alternate Version)


    Song: The Justice Song (Global Edition)

Obadiah

Introduction: This week explores the depths of pride in the heart of every person. Obadiah explores the relational consequences of cultivating pride: competition, taking advantage of our brothers and sisters, and ultimately, destruction.

  • Read (13 min): The Story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:19-34, 26:34-28:9, 32:1-33:17)

    • Read through these sections quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Follow the relationship between Jacob and Esau and pay particular attention to the way they treat each other.  


    Pray (2 min): Spend a few minutes speaking to God in your own words.  

    • Ask for God to guide and direct your time together this week.  
    • Ask to help you examine your past and your future: the actions that have led you to this point and the future you desire for yourself.  

  • Read (7 min): The Story of Israel and Edom (Numbers 20:14-21; 2 Samuel 8:13-14; 2 Chronicles 25:5-16; 2 Kings 16:1-6; Psalm 137:7)

    • Read through these sections quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Follow the relationship between the descendants of Jacob (Israel/Judah) and the descendants of Esau (Edom/Seir) and pay particular attention to the way they treat each other.  


    Listen (3 min): Obadiah

    • As you listen, think about the connection between past wrong, rooted pride, and present mistreatment of our neighbors.  


    Reflection (5 min): History of Wrong

    • In prayer, think back through the times you have been wronged by others.  
    • These can be times you have been wronged personally (being cheated, falsely accused, or taken advantage of) or times where you have been part of a group that was wronged (unfair legislation, economic disadvantage, or enemy attack).  
    • For each of these instances, consider this question: has this instance hardened the way I relate to those involved?  
    • For each instance, ask God to help you release the need to see those involved get what they deserve.  

  • Read (3 min): Obadiah

    • Read the book of Obadiah quickly, looking for big ideas and major themes.  


    Watch (7 min): Book of Obadiah Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the link between this book and the history of Jacob and Esau.  


    Read (5 min): Obadiah

    • Read the book of Obadiah
    • Look for the transition from the accusation of Edom to the accusation of all nations and look for the bits of hope woven into the book.  

  • Read (2 min): Obadiah 15-18

    • Pay attention to the connection between actions and consequences.  


    Journal (8 min): Your Descendants

    • Think about your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond.  
    • If you are not able or don’t intend to have children, think about the people you influence, the people who will be influenced by them, and so on.  
    • What characteristics or attributes do you want descendants to have?
    • Make a list of these characteristics.  


    Prayer (5 min): God’s Priorities

    • Go back through your list.  
    • For each item, ask the question: “God, does this characteristic reflect something that you would want to be true of your people?”  
    • Cross out or rewrite any that don’t reflect God’s priorities. 

  • Read (2 min): Obadiah 1-4

    • Pay attention to the consequences of pride.  


    Prayer (5 min): Modeling God’s Priorities

    • Look back over your list from yesterday.  
    • For each item, ask God these two questions:
    • How can I model this characteristic in my life today?
    • How does pride get in the way?


    Listen (3 min): Ego

    • As you listen to this song, ask God to help you let go of your pride.  

Jonah

Introduction: This week explores the familiar and complex story of Jonah, which traces the character of the prophet more than the message. Jonah is an invitation to examine the ways that we are running from God because we don’t love our neighbors the same way that God does.  

  • Watch (9 min): Book of Jonah Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the characters in the story.  


    Read (2 min): Skim the Book of Jonah

    • Choose your favorite version, but preferably one that has paragraphs and headings.
    • Do not read the text.  
    • Read the headings (or first few words of a section) and move quickly through the lines of text but don’t read every word.  
    • Don’t take more than 2 minutes.  

    Look for certain things: 

    • How does the book flow?  
    • Where are the section breaks? Where does it switch between prose and dialogue? 
    • What things stand out in the structure of the book? 
    • What repeated words of phrases stand out to you?


    Watch (4 min): Jonah

    • Pay particular attention to the characters in the story.  

  • Read (5 min): Jonah Chapter 1

    • Read through this chapter quickly.  
    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  
    • Look for the contrast between Jonah and the sailors.  


    Pray (6 min): Running Away

    • Think about the things God has called you to do, especially with regards to other people.  
    • Ask God: How am I running away from these callings? 
    • In prayer, consider why it is that you are hesitant to embrace God’s call.  


    Listen (4 min): I Am Jonah

    • As you listen, reflect on the similarities between Jonah running away and the ways you have run from God. 
    • Remember that human failure never derails God’s plan.   

  • Read (5 min): Jonah Chapter 2

    • Read through this chapter quickly.  

    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  

    • Look for the interaction between Jonah and God.  


    Pray (8 min): Acknowledging God

    • Think about the times in your life when things have not gone as planned.  

    • Ask God: How did you use those times to develop trust and obedience in me? 

    • In prayer, express gratitude for those times in your life.  


    Listen (2 min): Song of Jonah

    • As you listen, reflect on the presence of God in your life, even in your worst moments. 

    • Remember that even death cannot separate you from the presence of God.   

  • Read (5 min): Jonah Chapter 3

    • Read through this chapter quickly.  

    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  

    • Look for the contrast between Jonah and the people of Nineveh.  


    Pray (7 min): Compassion for Others

    • Think about the specific people in your life who are not following Jesus.  

    • Ask God: How can I love them with the same love that you have for me? 

    • In prayer, ask God to have mercy and show grace to them.  


    Listen (3 min): I’m Free (from Jonah the Musical)

    • As you listen, reflect on the experience of someone who finds forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. 

    • Remember the rejoicing that happens in heaven over one sinner who repents.   

  • Read (5 min): Jonah Chapter 4

    • Read through this chapter quickly.  

    • Try not to get stuck on names or places or words you don’t understand.  

    • Look for the interaction between Jonah and God. 


    Prayer (6 min): God’s Enemies

    • Think about the people you consider your enemies.  

    • Ask God: How can I see my enemies the same way as you saw me when I was your enemy? 

    • In prayer, ask God to give you his love for your enemies.  


    Listen (4 min): Love Your Enemies

    • As you listen, reflect on the call of Jesus to love your enemies. 

    • Remember that Jesus loved his enemies to the point of death.   

Micah

Introduction: This week is a return to the theme of justice for the oppressed.  We ask God to help us see the ways we participate in injustice and imagine a life where we bring God’s abundance and justice with us wherever we go.

  • Read (5 min): Skim the Book of Micah

    • Choose your favorite version, but preferably one that has paragraphs and headings.

    • Do not read the text.  

    • Read the headings (or first few words of a section) and move quickly through the lines of text but don’t read every word.  

    • Don’t take more than 5 minutes.  


    Look for certain things: 

    • How does the book flow?  

    • Where are the section breaks? 

    • Who is speaking in the different sections? 

    • What things stand out in the structure of the book? 

    • What repeated words of phrases do you see?  


    Watch (7 min):  Book of Micah Summary

    • Pay particular attention to the contrast between warning and hope.  


    Pray (3 min): Spend a few minutes speaking to God in your own words.  

    • Ask for God to guide and direct your time together this week.  

    • Ask for a clear view of God’s justice and the ability to see others as God’s image bearers.  

  • Read (4 min): Micah 2:1-5 and 3:9-12

    • As you read these words, look for the reasons that God is bringing destruction on his people.  

    • What are his people doing or not doing that displeases God?  


    Watch (6 min): Justice - This Is the Bible's Radical View

    • As you watch this video, think about the ways we participate in injustice.  


    Reflection (5 min): Injustice

    • In prayer, take some time to ask God the question: How have I participated in injustice?  

    • Ask God to help you consider the following questions: 

    1. What advantages have I received that are not common to everyone (things like family support, education, employment opportunities, scholarships, tax breaks, health, ect.)?  

    2. In what ways have I attributed my success to myself rather than expressing gratitude for these advantages?  

    3. How have I ignored or rationalized the problems of others?  

    4. What excuses or justifications do I make to avoid contact with people in need of justice?  

    5. When was the last time I repented from participating in injustice?  

  • Read (4 min): Micah 2:12-13 and 5:1-4

    • As you read these words, pay attention to the images of sheep and the shepherd.  

    • How does Jesus change the situation of his people?  


    Watch (5 min): This Lie Can Keep You From Living Generously

    • As you watch this video, think about the ways Jesus changes the mindset of this people.  


    Journal (6 min): Scarcity and Abundance

    • In prayer, ask God to reveal the mindset you use to see the world?  

    • Make two lists: 

    1. Make a list of all the places you see scarcity (both in your life or in the world around you).  

    2. Make a list of all the places you see abundance (both in your life or in the world around you).  

    • When you finish, ask yourself these two questions: 

    1. Which list was easier to make?

    2. Which list is longer?  

  • Read (1 min): Micah 6:6-8

    • As you read these words, remember that Jesus is the way and the Holy Spirit is the Guide.  

    • What does God require of us?  


    Listen (3 min): Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

    • As you listen to this song, think about the ways Jesus changes the mindset of this people.  


    Exercise (11 min): Love Mercy

    • Go to a public place, like a park or a store, and walk around.  

    • For each person you see, ask God: How is this person oppressed, mistreated, or experiencing injustice?  

    • Pray that each person would experience God’s abundance in their lives.  

  • Read (4 min): Micah 4:1-5 and 7:15-20

    • As you read these words, look for things that are true about God and things that God wants for his people.

    • How does God’s abundance flow from his character?  


    Listen (5 min): Who is a God Like You?

    • As you listen to this song, find comfort in the grace and mercy of God.


    Exercise (6 min): Imagining Abundance

    • Below is a list of several situations in which someone is experiencing injustice?  

    • For each situation, imagine how the church could respond and show God’s abundance to that person.   

    1. Someone just found out that they lost their job. 

    2. Someone has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  

    3. Someone is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol because of an addiction.   

    4. Someone whose home is vandalized because of the color of their skin.  

    5. Someone is passed over for a promotion because of their gender.  

    6. Someone fled violence and death in their home country and traveled to the United States seeking asylum.