I know how it feels to be a leader with little experience and no training. I learned by trial and error—mostly error. That is why I have spent so much time preparing training for leaders. BOW wants to help you with your role as a small group leader if you feel inadequate or just want more training. I never quit learning as a leader.

Beyond Ordinary Women Ministries Resources

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Free training videos & articles

At BOW we plan to continually add to our articles and video training library. So rather than provide a specific list, I encourage you to look over our resources for leading small groups at http://beyondordinarywomen.org/leading-small-groups/ and watch some of our free video training for your area of need. You can also browse our blog at http://beyondordinarywomen.org/blog-standard/ by topic to find posts of interest.

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Words to Anchor your Soul

You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment.

Jonah, speaking of God in Jonah 4:2b (NET)

How familiar are you with anchors? I grew up near the Texas Gulf coast and spent many hours there with my friends riding the waves in inner tubes or on floats. We generally paddled out past the breakers and floated back until we got caught in them; then, we pushed back out and started over. Eventually we found ourselves far from “home,” the area of beach where we began and where all our stuff was. I remember one scary day when a strong storm blew in, pushing us far out and way down the beach very quickly and violently.

The only way to prevent items from floating away with the current is to be attached to the ocean floor by an anchor.

Picture your soul anchored well so that you don’t drift away from God—either slowly by simply letting culture carry you away or quickly because of a brewing storm. Although God’s prophets wrote their messages thousands of years ago, they still speak to us today, warning us when we have drifted from God and calling us back home. Often we are unaware of how far from home we’ve gone.

I’ve personally floated away from God by drifting slowly as well as quickly in a violent personal storm. If God had not hung onto me by his Spirit and the truth of his Word, I would still be adrift today. Even now danger looms if I let go of the anchor and listen to other voices.

As you study the Old Testament, keep in mind that God is the same God he has always been. Although the original audience had a different culture, we can apply the message to today.

Part One Study: Background and Context

To understand the Bible, context is crucial. This section provides background to help you understand what you’ll be reading and journaling about. (If you aren’t familiar with journaling or if that sounds hard, read “Journaling 101” in the Appendix.)

ONE STORY

Let’s start by putting the prophetic books into the context of the entire Bible.

The Bible is one big story that connects many shorter stories and other writings. (If you have never studied God’s big story, you may want to download our journaling study The ONE Story at https://beyondordinarywomen.org/the-one-story/ which puts the whole Bible in context—a must to understand it.)

I grew up in a Christian home and a Bible-teaching church. I knew all the major Bible stories and understood that Jesus died for me and loves me. But somehow I never grasped the ONE story behind them that brings all the stories together. So to help those of you who have never really studied the big picture of the Bible, here is a quick summary of the parts of the One Story.

Before people rebelled against the God who made and loved them, creation was perfect. It was a time we call Paradise. The first people lived in harmony and unity without sin, disease, or death in perfect relationships with God and one another. But Paradise didn’t last because they rebelled against the God who made and loved them, marring all their descendants and even all creation. Ruin ensued and is characterized by the hatred, disease, and broken relationships we all experience because we align ourselves with other “gods” instead of the Creator, just as our ancestors did. Although creation has been marred, glimpses of what used to be remains because we are all still made in God’s image although it is now distorted.

Since the Ruin, God has been at work to heal broken lives and relationships by realigning people with himself and his great purposes. Although he constantly seeks the best for people, we go our own way instead of loving God—the core issue in the dysfunction of sin.

The meta-narrative (big story) of the Bible tells us that some time after the Ruin occurred, God reached out to Abraham and his descendants, known as the children of Israel and later called Jews. He designated them as his representatives to the world and the people through whom he would send his ultimate agent of restoration. God blessed the Jews with special revelation so that they could know and worship him and experience right relationships with one another. Despite this honor, God’s chosen people rebelled against him over and over, unwilling to worship him alone. But God’s love is persistent, and he continued reaching out to them through the Old Testament prophets. These people who spoke for God provided encouragement to persevere, warning of God’s judgment, and promises of the future King or Messiah.

Eventually the Promised One came to earth as the man Jesus, one with God the Father and the Spirit, and brought Reconciliation between God and mankind by his own death and resurrection. He heals those who follow him from their brokenness with God and gives them power to restore their relationships with one another. His death made the way for all people who align their lives with him to be restored to God’s original purpose. When Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to empower and lead the church, which is comprised of all who believe.

Although Reconciliation between humans and God has been made possible, the effects of the Ruin linger. Those who believe in who Jesus is and what he has done for us are now to exhibit a taste of what his kingdom is like to the world around us. This period of time is often called the Already but Not Yet because we enjoy many of the blessings of God’s kingdom, but not its fulness. His kingdom is our real home, and we are aliens in this world. Our loyalty to God alone brings unity among his people.

Thankfully, the story gets even better. Someday Jesus will return and institute a new and perfect world according to all the promises the prophets have spoken. God will fix all that is ruined by sin and recreate paradise. We call this Restoration.

The Minor Prophets

This study’s focus is the books called the Minor Prophets.¹ They record the messages of people who spoke for God, known as prophets, as they preached to a world in Ruin in the centuries before Jesus came. Their writing brought God’s people hope of Messiah and a coming Restoration.

All of these prophets lived in the centuries after the Jewish nation was divided into two parts and before Jesus’s birth: Israel in the north (ten tribes) and Judah in the south (two tribes).

Although their messages were initially for a particular people at a specific time long ago, the underlying principles apply to the present time between Reconciliation and the final Restoration, the time of the Already but Not Yet.

We will move somewhat chronologically through the Minor Prophets. The dating comes from clues within the books or educated guesses by scholars. (See the chart “History of Old Testament Israel” in the Appendix section “Understanding the Prophets.”) After studying Jonah, we will work our way through three periods of prophetic messages: the time preceding the Assyrian Exile of the ten tribes called Israel, the period of Babylonian power and exile of the southern two tribes, and the era after the Jews returned from their Babylonian captivity.

With each book of prophecy, I’ve added an icon/image representing its message.

The Story of Jonah

Although its date isn’t precise. Jonah’s book is likely the earliest of those that we’ll study. He prophesied in the 8th Century B.C. during the reign of King Jeroboam II, who ruled from 793-753 B.C.² Jonah is very different from the other Minor Prophets. Instead of recording Jonah’s message, it provides a biographical story of the prophet himself. It won’t take you long to figure out why I’ve chosen an image of a backpack for Jonah.

There has been much controversy about the book’s historicity. Many scholars insist that these events are impossible and interpret it as a parable or allegory. Others insist upon a literal meaning, partly in response to those who criticize it on the basis of human reason. Jonah’s literature is similar to the narratives about Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings which are called “prophetic narrative.”

Dr. Robert B. Chisholm, Jr. of Dallas Seminary comments:

Unlike the exodus and the resurrection of Jesus, the historicity of the Book of Jonah is not foundational to redemptive history and the biblical faith. Unfortunately, the debate over the book’s historicity has often distracted interpreters from focusing on its theological message, which is not affected by how one understands the book’s literary genre. Whether the book is labeled historical narrative, legend, parable, or something akin to a historical novella, its themes seem apparent.³

In other words, don’t let your perspective of its historicity prevent you from believing its message. Jesus used stories to teach, and perhaps that is what Jonah did, but God is perfectly capable of bringing these events to pass literally.

Read more background in the Appendix section “Understanding the Prophets”.

*** Search in your Bible for introductory material to the prophets, or use commentaries or resources to discover more about the prophetic books or Jonah specifically.

Journal about this section’s reading, recording your questions or thoughts.

Part Two Study

Now that we have a sense of the historical context for the Minor Prophets and Jonah in particular, let’s dive in. Because it’s Jonah’s story rather than a message from God, it’s a lot easier to understand, and yet, it contains deep truths and timeless principles.

One more background detail that may help you with the story: Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the nation that would eventually conquer Israel, the northern kingdom. At this time the Assyrians were still gaining power and were not yet a direct threat to God’s people.

Read Jonah 1-2, or since it’s a short story, you may want to read it all at once.

*** Read Hebrews 12:5-13 and journal about its relationship to Jonah’s story.

Journal your responses to these questions:

• In what way do you identify with Jonah’s response to God’s instructing him to go to Nineveh?
• How do you see God’s sovereignty (his rule) over all things in Jonah’s story so far?
• What do you learn about God’s worldview that Jonah didn’t embrace?
• What is God saying to you from this story?

Part Three Study

Begin by asking God to speak. Then review what you’ve already read of Jonah’s story.

Read Jonah 3-4.

*** Tim Keller says that Jonah’s story parallels that of the Prodigal Son in that Jonah is the prodigal in chapters 1 and 2 and the elder brother in 3 and 4.⁴ Journal your insights.

Journal your thoughts on these topics:

• The Ninevites’ response to Jonah’s message.
• Compare Jonah’s sources of anger and happiness in Chapter 4 and what they reveal about you.
• Ask God to reveal if you have hardened your heart against showing mercy in any way—personally, nationally, or judicially to any people groups. (A few ideas: wealthy, poor, immigrant, uneducated, highly educated, intelligent, unintelligent, Democrat, Republican, Black, White, Asian, etc.) Confess that sin before God and your group.

Jan’s Story

Years ago while I was living in New York, my pastor called me into his office, along with his assistant pastor. He said that the Bible teacher at the Presbyterian Old People’s Home on Long Island was moving away and they needed someone to take her place. Both of them had prayed and God told them I was to be the new teacher. I said that was impossible because I was just learning the Bible, I didn’t have the gift of teaching, and I’d never been around old people as all of my grandparents had died while I was a baby. They told me to go home and pray about it for a week before giving them my answer. I went home and once again fell to my knees sobbing to God about this impossible situation and as I was praying, God changed my heart and gave me a desire to teach this class.

Our four children were all in grammar school, so I drove out there for my first class and told them that I felt like Moses when God told him to lead His people out of Egypt. I told them that I was just learning myself and would have to use the Living Bible. One of the women raised her hand and said that was fine with them. She said that I had a loud, clear voice and that’s what was most important to them. Every Friday, God kept my children healthy for the next three years while I taught. Then my husband was transferred to Houston and on my final day, they gave me a farewell party. Once again I cried all the way home because I would miss all of these grandparents whom God had given to me.

Words to Anchor your Soul

With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8 (NIV)

I love the verses above. When I proudly believe that God is pleased with me because of my giving, sacrifices, ministry, or worship, these verses remind me that my actions toward others show what’s really in my heart. Where is my concern for justice in the land? Where is my compassion that leads to mercy even when people are guilty? And how closely am I really walking with God?

God is just, and he expects us to treat people fairly and promote justice for others, particularly those lacking equal voice or opportunity. But our just God wants us to love mercy too. It seems to me that unless we walk humbly with God, that’s impossible because in our pride we lack compassion and unconditional love.

The Old Testament prophets speak a lot about justice and mercy, not because such qualities provide a relationship with God, but because, first, they show God’s love to others and, second, they indicate what’s truly in our hearts. I hate to confess it, but my prideful belief that people get what they deserve and can succeed if they work hard blinded me to the systemic injustice that prevents their success. Opportunity isn’t equal for all. Although I’m not condemned for my lack of compassion because of Christ, this attitude reveals a disconnect with God’s character. He isn’t pleased with my pride and disregard of others, and yet he continues to show me mercy and patience. As a mom, I understand: I experience the same feelings with my own children.

Sometimes in our haste to declare ourselves forgiven and in Christ (and we are if we believe in Jesus), we ignore his call to love others by the power of his Spirit (1 John 4:7-12). We are to continually confess and repent of our sins (1 John 1:8-10), which requires introspection and acceptance of hard truth. My favorite prayer of confession comes from The Book of Common Prayer: “Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.”¹ God pierces my heart every time I say these words.

As we read Micah, let’s keep in mind that God is in the business of changing us; he loves us too much to leave us where we are. Let’s listen to his voice so we can become more and more like Jesus—brimming with justice and loving mercy.

How does God remain both just and merciful? You likely know the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11). It’s one that every non-Christian knows too. Jesus agreed with her accusers that the penalty under the Old Testament Law was to stone her, but he called on the one without sin to go first. One by one all left. Instead of the sinless Son of God condemning her, he gave her mercy, just as he gives us. Was justice done? Absolutely. Because God in Christ died for her sins and ours as well. Justice requires rectification for cheating on a spouse, and Jesus accomplished justice for her sin and all our sins through his own death on the cross. Justice isn’t abandoned to show mercy.

In light of this story, we’re using rocks to symbolize the book of Micah.

Part One Study

Micah 1:1 tells us that Micah spoke for God during the reigns of Jotham (750-731 B.C.), Ahaz (735-715 B.C.), and Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.), kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah and Hosea.² Although his primary message focused on the northern kingdom’s destruction, he also warned Judah against following the sins of Israel. In 722 B.C. Micah’s words were fulfilled when Assyria destroyed Israel.

The book of Jeremiah written a hundred years later tells us that Micah’s prediction of the destruction of Israel made a difference. When Jeremiah relayed God’s warning about coming judgment on Jerusalem and the temple, his audience of priests, prophets, and others didn’t like the message and wanted to kill him. Thankfully some of the Judean elders disagreed, using Micah as an example:

Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountains of the house a wooded height.’”

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves (Jeremiah 26:18-19, ESV).

Dr. Chisholm comments: “This demonstrates that Micah’s prophecy, though seemingly unconditional in tone, was implicitly conditional. Because of Hezekiah’s repentance, the prophesied judgment was postponed.”³

Sometimes I get lost in Micah because he uses various names for the two kingdoms. He often refers to the northern kingdom Israel by the name of its capital Samaria. Sometimes he uses the name Jerusalem for the capital of the southern kingdom Judah, but he also calls it Zion. At times he uses the broader term Jacob, who was the father of all the Jews, which ends up confusing me even more.

As you read Micah this week, pay attention to the predictions of judgment and promises of a better future. Judgment and mercy.

Read Micah 1:1-2:13 carefully, picturing yourself among the people who will be affected by what he prophesies, and journal with these questions in mind:

• How do the images that Micah uses of God’s judgment (1:2-7) affect you? Consider Micah’s reaction in 1:8-9 to your own reaction.
• For what kinds of sins is God punishing his people?
• What do you learn about God’s ultimate mercy in 2:12-13?
• What is God saying to you about responding to the ruin/desolation that happens to other people?

*** Read Revelation 19:11-21 and compare its images of the judgment at Christ’s return with those in Micah.

Part Two Study

This section’s reading begins with judgment, but it moves to images of eventual restoration. In its promises of the future you will read messianic predictions, so pay close attention. Remember that one prophecy often has multiple fulfillments or includes near (i.e. soon after the time of Micah’s writing) and distant fulfillments side by side. At other times it includes promises that are still future to us today, not to be fulfilled until Christ’s return in the end days. Often it’s hard to tell. Note that the term “the latter days” or “that day” often refers to the end times. Feel free to read the notes in your Bible or a commentary for help.

As you read, also notice the groups of leaders that God calls out and the highly poetic language used to describe their sins. (For example, they aren’t literally tearing the skin of the people, etc.)

Read Micah 3:1-5:15, noting both judgment and promise (mercy) as you journal.

• What do you learn about God’s perspective of the actions of the governmental and spiritual leaders of Micah’s day (3:1-12)?
• Meditate on and drink in the various promises of restoration. (Some of them predict the time after the exile while others point to the ultimate time of Restoration. Still others do both.) What do you learn about God through them? How are the pictures of the future meaningful to you?
• Micah 5:1-5a predicts the coming Messiah. Write down your insights and any fulfillment you are aware of in Jesus.
• In what way does God seem to be applying this passage to your own life and/or to the broader church and its leaders?

*** Reread Micah 5:1-6, and journal about what Jesus’s audience may have understood from his teaching in John 10:1-18 from their familiarity with this passage.

Part Three Study

In this last section of Micah, God indicts his people as a group and takes their actions very personally. FYI: Micah refers to Omri and Ahab who were northern kings well-known for their idolatry. Tragically, they influenced the southern kings to follow their counsel rather than seek God (Micah 6:16).

*** Read about King Omri of Israel in 1 Kings 16:25-28. Read about his son King Ahab’s negative influence over Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah who married Ahab’s daughter, in 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3. Journal your insights.

Read Micah 6:1-7:20, and journal as you consider these questions:

• What charges that God brings against his people throughout Chapters 6 and 7 resonate with you as you look at Christian culture today? Note how God planned to judge his people in Israel for such things.
• What remedy does God suggest for the people (6:6-9)? (If you have time, compare James 2:14-26.)
• What encouragement do you receive in Micah Chapter 7 from God’s promises and his character?

Kathy’s Story

Being married to a seminary professor has its marvelous benefits, as you can imagine: training godly students for Christian ministry, meeting Christians from all over the world and becoming involved with them and their ministries, being constantly stimulated and challenged by students, and visiting lecturers that we have the privilege of entertaining in our home. But along with all the wonderful things associated with being married to such a man, there is also the heavy side.

Some students can and do idolize various Christian ministers and when one of these people fail in a significant way, these students are devastated. They feel like they will never be able to make it in ministry because their hero has fallen. At times like this my husband and I have had the privilege of reminding them that we all are frail and that there is no substitute for a personal, intimate walk with the Lord, for accountability in our lives, and for committed prayer on our part for each Christian leader ministering to us and our family.

We have seen the Lord’s faithfulness through many of these situations, some after years of heartache, but through it all God has and is revealing Himself to His people in ways we did not expect. He alone is our perfect, Holy, righteous, loving, unfailing God. He wants us to take our eyes off men and place them on Him because He is GOD and there is none other!

Related Topics: Prophets, Women's Articles

Words to Anchor your Soul

“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 3:5-7 (NLT)

“A bunch of hypocrites” is a common criticism of the church, and rightly so. We often answer that charge by explaining that we are sinners, just forgiven. But I wonder how often we deserve the label because we aren’t confessing and repenting of our sins but defending ourselves instead. While we worship, we often miss the heart of worship, humility. We proudly believe our lives please God, but in reality we’re blind to the truth of our own hypocrisy. I know I’m guilty, especially of not loving God before all else or failing to love my neighbor as myself.

The Jews of Malachi’s day were very religious, but their actions didn’t fit their worship. Malachi reveals that their hearts were far from God through their responses to his accusations.

Dr. Boice says,

Perhaps more than any other Old Testament book, Malachi describes that modern attitude of mind that considers man superior to God and that has the audacity to attempt to bring God down to earth and measure him by the yardstick of human morality.

This attitude is a recurring theme in Malachi, and it is expressed by a recurring word. The word is “how,” as in “How have you loved us?” (1:2). This word appears seven times in this last of the Old Testament books, and in every case it expresses a state of mind that challenges God’s statements, demanding that he give an account of himself in human terms.¹

G. Campbell Morgan describes the problem this way: “And when the prophet tells them what God thinks of them, they, with astonishment and impertinence, look into his face and say, ‘We don’t see this at all!’”² That’s why I’ve chosen the image of a blindfolded woman for Malachi.

Part One Study

Dr. Boice says, “The book of Malachi is located at a point of transition, too. It comes at the end of the Old Testament, but it anticipates the New Testament.”³ Although it is difficult to date, Malachi likely prophesied between 480-470 B.C.⁴

Malachi’s message contains six disputations, meaning arguments or debates. Each one follows this pattern: 1. God speaks a truth; 2. The people dispute it (“but you say”) demanding proof usually with a “how question”; and 3. God or the prophet answers by pointing to their actions or God’s character and work.

I found it helpful to mark “but you say” and the “how,” “what,” and “why” words that begin the people’s denials. It helped me follow God’s answers more easily. You may want to try it. If you don’t like marking your Bible, print it from a Bible app or net.bible.org.

As you read the people’s “how” responses to God in 1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8, 13, meditate on the blindness to themselves they exhibit and how we may be doing the same today.

Read Malachi 1:1-2:16, where you will find three disputations in 1:2-5 (with a “how” in 1:2); 1:6-9 (with “hows” in 1:6, 7); and 2:10-16 (this time a “why” question in 2:14).

FYI: When God says that he loved Jacob and hated Esau, the twin sons of Isaac, it isn’t about feelings but about a choice that God made to bless Jacob and make him the heir of his covenant with Abraham.

Journal as you consider the following:

• Reread Dr. Boice’s comments about how the attitude of the church today parallels that of the Jews in Malachi’s day. Comment on his thoughts in light of the verses you read and what you see in today’s church.
• What does this section of Malachi teach about God’s character and actions?
• What is God saying about your priorities and the reality of your worship?

*** The #metoo and #churchtoo movements have uncovered sexual abuse that has gone on for years. Consider the abuse in the church in light of the empty religious works that Malachi condemns. Also consider all of Malachi 2:15-16. As Dr. Sandra Glahn points out, “Many people know the ‘I hate divorce’ line from Malachi 2:16, but far fewer know the rest of the sentence: ‘and him who covers himself and his garment with violence,’ says the LORD of Hosts.”⁵ Journal your thoughts about or experiences with sexual of physical abuse if you can, or read stories tagged with these movements.

Part Two Study

Read Malachi 2:17-4:6. Note the three disputations as you go: 2:17-3:5 (“how” and “where” in 2:17); 3:6-12 (“how” in 3:7 and 3:8); 3:13-4:3 (“how” in 3:13-14). The book ends with a summary (4:4-6).

Journal your insights as you consider these questions:

• Which of these three disputations stands out to you and why?
• What aspects of God’s character does Malachi emphasize in this part of the book, both disputations and hopeful promises?
• What message of hope in this section speaks to you today and why?

The “Words to Anchor your Soul” this week confirm that whatever we’ve done, however we have tossed aside God’s Word and approved of what he disapproves, God is there when we return to him in repentance. (The context of these verses makes the need for repentance clear.)

*** Malachi prophesies of the Coming One and his forerunner in 3:1-5 and 4:1-6. Some of his words were fulfilled as the New Testament opens while others are still future. Read Matthew 3:1-17 and journal about its relationship to Malachi’s prophecy OR read about these prophecies in a commentary.⁶

Four hundred years of God’s silence followed Malachi’s message. Then one day Zechariah the priest received an angelic visitor with God’s message that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth would have a son named John, often known as John the Baptist. (Luke 1:5-24). Perhaps you would like to read about Jesus as your next study. Beyond Ordinary Women’s study Who is This Jesus?⁷ on the gospel of John would be a great follow-up to the promises of the prophets.

Although the prophets’ messages warned his people, they always held out hope through God’s mercy and loyal love to bring a future Restoration. Never forget that God’s judgment is part of his love, just as a dad and mom loves their child enough to discipline and teach her.

Part Three will be a review, but before we get there, read Krista’s story in light of the message of Malachi.

Krista’s Story

I cannot speak for every survivor of sexual abuse within the church, but over the last year, the #MeToo #ChurchToo movement has left me, personally, drowning in emotion. As I have read story after story and response after response, I have remembered anew, and with precise clarity, details of my own abuse from years ago. I have felt the paralyzing fear of being exposed, mocked, or not believed, as I have seen and experienced how churches handle these exposures with horrific levels of denial and a lack of compassion for the brave souls willing to share their stories. With inflamed anger, I have sat horrified, as victims have been blamed because an entrusted minster assaulted their body, soul, and mind, leaving them isolated to deal with the aftermath alone.

My abuser was a senior level minister. He served forty years within the same congregation, until he recently retired to standing applause. He was in his thirties and married with children when my abuse began. I was around four years old. The abuse lasted until my family moved away when I was twelve years old. He sexually assaulted me in every way imaginable, both in his home and on church property, including raping me in the sanctuary itself. He not only defiled my body, but the church building and what it represented, as well as the position of a trusted minister of the Gospel.

As a survivor, I rest on passages of scripture found in Malachi, as he addresses those who have been given authority to guide God’s children and then abuse that authority (Malachi 2:1-2, 7-9, ESV):

“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart . . . . For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

I realize it is difficult for church members and their leadership to hear, believe, and comprehend the horrific details of abuse that took advantage not just of the victim, but also of the congregation. Most likely, the minister is/was a charismatic, beloved, and trusted member of the church community he served. But let’s be clear: what is difficult for man to reconcile is NOT difficult for God. God is clear. His expectations are clear, and so are the ways He defends the defenseless.

It is estimated that one out of every four to one out of every three individuals reading this study have been a victim of sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Therefore, the survivors coming forward are not liars intent on smearing a minister or the church's name. Rather they are women (or men) who have sat silently beside you for years, suffering alone.

I can personally attest to the lingering effects of sexual abuse that last years beyond the horrendous acts of abuse themselves. Abuse within church is uniquely difficult for survivors to process as they must differentiate between the evil that was perpetrated upon their body by a representative of God, in a place designed for worship, from God Himself. Because of this, the very places where healing can be found are also, at times, agony to enter—a church service, a Christian community, a mentoring relationship, reading the bible, or even prayer itself. The survivor cannot escape the painful memories of abuse when they enter these arenas, and even worse is the inevitable and inescapable thought that maybe God did not care or that the abuse was not actually sin because it was inflicted by one appointed to serve and reflect God’s nature.

But then, I continue reading and take heart (Malachi 3:1-2, 5, NLT):

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me,” says the Lord of hosts.

What a reminder. God is coming. He sees the evil done to you. He knows how they misused you and their position under the guise of His holy name. Oh, sweet survivor, HE WILL purify that which was not of Him and He will MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT in the end.

If you have experienced any type of abuse (sexual or otherwise) and have never discussed your experience, OR are in need of continued care, consider the footnoted resources as a help.⁸

Thank you, Krista, for sharing your heart-breaking story. We grieve with you and all others who have experienced similar abuse.

Part Three Study

This is the last section of the final week of our study. Before we leave the prophets behind, spend time remembering how God has used the Minor Prophets in your life. It’s always encouraging to look back and see how God has been at work. Plan to share one thing from your journal with your small group this week as an encouragement to them as well.

Journal as you review this study:

• Thumb through the study, remembering the icons/images and the messages they represent. Which prophet is most memorable to you and why?
• Look over the memory verses for each week’s “Words to Anchor you Soul.” Which is your favorite passage and why?
• How has God changed you through this study?

May God continue to bring our lives into alignment with his character so that we image him to a broken and hurting world where we serve as lights in the darkness.