Amos, when religion isn't enough and the importance of justice in serving God

About this Lesson

The prophet Amos and his message have captivated preachers, reformers, and Christian leaders from the earliest days it was preached until today, particularly with its emphasis on justice.

Martin Luther King used it in his I Have a Dream speech where he quoted the verse “Let justice roll down…” from Amos 5:24.

And in June 2023 Pope Francis chose “Let justice and peace flow” (citing the book of Amos) as the theme for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which will be on Sept. 1.

In this lesson we’ll first look at the meaning of the word justice in the Old Testament and how it is far more than a legal term but about “giving people what they are due, whether punishment or protection or care.”



We will confirm Amos as a historical figure through what archeology tells us and then look at his challenges to the people of his time and how they apply to us as followers of God today.

In his time sadly there was a “famine for the Words of the Lord,” in both the land and in their religious observances. There was much religious observance and little true obedience to God—similarities we find in our world. Amos tells us how to live in the midst of these challenges.

Included in this Lesson

• A 1080p video, without any ads or YouTube distractions
• An MP3 audio/podcast file
• Editable PowerPoint file of the lesson
• Editable Notes/Transcript of the lesson
• Editable Questions on the lesson for individual study or group discussion
• Charts that go with the lesson if part of it
• PDF of handouts that have the notes and questions
• Two digital files of images and PR text you can use to promote the topic
• PR paragraph to help advertise the class
• Closing prayer and benediction for the class
• Unlimited reproduction rights of the video and handouts within your church, group, ministry, or business.