Download PDF: http://www.harborhawaii.org/beta/wp-content/uploads/mar-29-apr-4.pdf

(Monday) Amos 4: Street-Corner Prophet

Bethel and Gilgal were centers of worship for the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 12:26-33).  What was sinful about Israel’s worship at these places (v. 4-5)?

What words would you use to describe each of the judgments the Lord brought on Israel (v. 6-11)?

The chapter ends with a hymn describing the God Israel would meet in judgment (v. 13). What do you learn about God from each aspect of Amos’ description?

Is your worship an empty ritual? How can God change that?

Prayer focus: Use Amos’ hymn in verse 13 as a basis to spend a few minutes worshiping God.

Family Devotional: Read verse 13. What do you learn about God’s characteristics from this verse?

(Tuesday) Hosea 1, 3: Parable of Love

In chapter 1, how do the names of Hosea’s children play a key part in his message and ministry?

In the midst of the judgment of God, how would the reversal of the names in verses 1:10-2:1 give people hope?

How does chapter 3 portray God’s love?

The good news of 1:10-2:1 is realized today in Jesus Christ. How does the story of Hosea illustrate the gospel?

Prayer focus: Thank God for his firm love even when we wander away from him at times.

Family Devotional: Read Hosea 3:5. What does it mean to fear the Lord? How can fear of God lead us to experience his goodness?

(Wednesday) Hosea 11: Wounded Lover

How did the Lord treat Israel (v. 3-4)? Why does Israel respond to the Lord in this way (v. 1-7)?

Describe God’s anguish in v. 8-9. Why is the comparison of Israel to these other cities so disturbing?

Why will the Israelites finally respond to God’s call (v. 10-11)?

How are you affected by the descriptions of God’s emotions?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you understand the depth of his love and emotion

Family Devotional: Read verse 7. Why are there times when God won’t listen to his people when they pray to him? What can change that?

(Thursday) 2 Kings 17: Postmortem

Review the list of sins (there are about 20) in verses 7-22. What common characteristics do you find?

The writer of 2 Kings says repeatedly, “The Lord [Israel] out of his sight.” What did it mean to Israel in practical terms to be removed from the presence of God (v. 18, 20, 23)?

Why did the Samaritans find it hard to serve one God alone (v. 24-33)?

In what areas of your life do you need to be alert to the temptation of idolatry?

Prayer focus:  Confess your areas of weakness to the Lord. Ask him to protect you from idolatry.

Family Devotional: Read v. 12-13. An idol is something in your life that you want or rely on more than God. Can you think of things like that? How can you start seeking God more than those things?

(Friday) 2 Chronicles 20: Meanwhile in Jerusalem

What elements of praise do you find in Jehoshaphat’s prayer (v. 6-12)?

Imagine yourself standing in the crowd described in verse 13. How would you have responded to Jahaziel’s words in v. 15-17?

In what different ways did the people of Judah worship God (v. 18-30)?

What can you learn from Jehoshaphat about the way to pray during such situations?

Prayer focus: Pray for a spirit of peace and contentment even in the midst of worries

Family Devotional: Read verse 15, a speech sending God’s soldiers into battle. What kinds of battles do you fight in life? How is it not your battle, but God’s?