Zephaniah

ZEPHANIAH

JUSTICE

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quite you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." 3:17

KEY INFORMATION

WRITTEN TO: PEOPLE OF JUDAH
CHAPTERS: 3
CENTURY WRITTEN: 640-609 B.C
KEY BIBLE VERSE: ZEPHANIAH 3:17
BIBLE STORY LINK: CLICK HERE
BOOK STRUCUTRE:
- CHAPTERS 1:2-18: DIVINE JUDGEMNT ON JUDAH
- CHAPTER 2:1-3 INVITATION
- CHAPTERS 2:4-15 SURE DOOM OF NATIONS
- CHAPTERS 3:9-20: KINGDOME PROMISES TO REMNANT
LITERARY STYLE:
- POETRY

BOOK OVERVIEW

Zephaniah lived when King Josiah was trying to restore Israel and rid it of false Gods, but sadly Josiah died when Israel fell captive to the Babylonians. Zephaniah had seen all of this and so he wrote about how there will be judgement on not only Israel but all the surrounding nations; they will be taken captive as they have lived corrupt and evil lives. This is not the end of the story as God will restore the faithful remnant and as such will pour out both His justice and love on all people. Those that have been faithful will be restored and we see at the every end of the book God honours the outcasts and weakest that have been shunned.

1. Justice is getting what you deserve, good or bad!

2. If we follow God we can know He's always on our side.

KEY TEACHING POINTS

1. God promises justice for all people.

2. Sometimes the justice isn't immediate.

1. God will deliver justice for all people.

2. As Christians we have a duty to seek justice for all people in God's name.

AGE APPROPRIATE ADAPTATIONS

For the age of the children in Mini's you will need to explain in simple terms this story, that God is upset with how bad the people are treating each other. That God will give fair justice on everyone, but for those that say sorry, He will pour out his love & forgiveness!

For the age of the children in Kids Church you will need to explain Israel had many enemies, those enemies were bad to Israel and so Israel turned away from God. That God is a forgiving God and anyone who turns to him will receive his love and forgiveness (Israel or it's enemies)!