[Our newest Bible study, Micah: Hear and Hope in God’s Word, is available in the Well-Watered Co. today! Today’s article is the study introduction letter from the author, Gretchen. Keep reading for the excerpt and all the answers to your frequently asked questions about our new Micah Collection.]
Introducing Micah: Hear and Hope in God’s Word
Checking the news has a way of sobering my soul. I can be happily going about my day, tending my to-do lists, picking up my kids’ messes, completing work tasks, and keeping our home, only to be derailed by a gut-wrenching news story. Harrowing headlines cause my mind to worry about tomorrow and evoke anger as I read about the injustices happening in our world. My husband has witnessed many of my emotional rants concerning the outrageous crimes, inequality, and oppression happening in our society, listening to me highlight all that is wrong around me while neglecting to look within my own heart. It’s easier to focus on the injustices of this world than to consider the injustices taking place in my heart and home because it means considering what idols exist in my own heart.
My friend and our Theology and Content Editor at Well-Watered Women, Lauren, once told me that what we fear, treasure, and desire most—in short, our idols—are displayed in our actions. The person or object of our worship is revealed in our words, our responses, and even our rants. This concept is displayed in the book of Micah, where one of the major themes is that idolatry breeds injustice.
Idolatry Breeds Injustice
Just last week, my own life demonstrated this concept when my idol of having well-behaved children and making perfect memories led me to lose my temper with my kids because they didn’t obey on a special outing. And last Sunday, when my idols of comfort and control led to me stomping around our home in frustration at the mess, creating a negative atmosphere that my whole family had to suffer through. And yesterday, when my idol of wanting to be the best created jealousy of another woman’s success that led me to assume the worst about her. These acts of injustice against the people around me all came from my idols.
Micah is often known as the book of the Bible about justice. You’re probably familiar with Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” However, you might not be as familiar with the context of this verse. The book of Micah calls out the Israelites for their idol worship that led them to unjust actions.
Biblical counselor David Powlison explains, “Idolatry becomes an improper way to meet a legitimate need, and our failure to love others becomes a product of unmet needs.”1 Rather than aiming to be better at loving other people, we need hearts that find our needs met by God alone. Such heart transformation begins with having ears to hear the Word of God and a heart that hopes in Christ alone.
Study Micah with the Help of the Holy Spirit
This study will be challenging and downright uncomfortable at times as you receive the message God gave to Micah. Much will be required of you as you study, ask questions, and seek the Lord through his inspired Word. Prophetic books of the Bible won’t be completely understood in one study or one lifetime. Even among biblical scholars with similar theological backgrounds, there are often many different interpretations because of the poetic nature of prophecy.
But remember that you don’t have to understand every word to glean truth from this book and that you study Micah with the help of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13) and leads us to full life in Jesus (John 10:10). You aren’t without help as you study Micah, and you aren’t without hope as you walk this journey of life. My prayer is that by the end of this five-week study, you will better see God’s mercy manifested through Christ and that you will hear and hope in God’s Word.
Placing my hope in Christ with you,
Gretchen
Founder and author of Micah: Hear and Hope in God’s Word
What is Micah: Hear and Hope in God’s Word about?
This Bible study covers the entire book of Micah. For both the people of the Old Testament and us today, Micah’s message calls those who are sinful and wayward to faithfulness and right relationship with the one true God. We, like the Israelites, turn to idols to help us feel safe, fulfilled, and happy, so we need Micah’s words that convict, challenge, and correct. As you study Micah, the display of God’s character—his holiness, justice, love, and mercy—will help you better understand the gospel.
How long is this Bible study and what is the format like?
Micah: Hear and Hope in God’s Word is five weeks long. Here’s what you can expect:
- Five weeks of verse-by-verse study through the book of Micah
- Five days of in-depth Bible study per week
- A daily Hear & Hope section with application questions and space to practice committing God's Word to memory using your weekly memory verse
- Weekly reflections to apply what you’re learning about God and the gospel through Micah and pray your memory verse
- Bible-centered study to discover the meaning of the text before making application to your current circumstances
- Gospel-rich content to draw your soul into the presence of God
Why should I study a Minor Prophet?
- If we believe that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable” (2 Tim. 3:16), we will prioritize the reading and study of all of the Bible, including the Prophetic Books.
- If we desire to rightly apply God’s Word to our lives, specifically Old Testament prophetic literature, we must seek to understand it in its original proper context.
- If we long to grasp the fullness of the gospel, we must know the judgment of God in response to sin to see the value of God’s justice and mercy mingled in Christ’s work on the cross.
Can I do this study with a group?
Yes! We have a FREE Micah Leader Guide available for download to help you study God’s Word in your local community. The leader guide walks you through how to facilitate discussion each week. There is also a weekly memory verse your group could memorize together.
What else is in the Micah Collection?
The Micah Collection also includes Micah Verse Cards and our brand-new Grow in Grace Shirt. Plus, there are a few different ways you can bundle and save on the items in the new collection.
How do the verse cards work with the study?
The Micah Verse Cards correspond to the weekly memory verses so you can use them to help you stay on track with your Scripture memory goals and keep God’s Word fresh on your mind throughout the day. Each 4x4 verse card beautifully displays a verse on the front. On the back, they prompt you to recall the Scripture with the first letter of each word.
Are there any discounts or promotions available?
Yes! This week only, save 20% automatically on Micah Bundles OR save 15% on individual items from the Micah Collection with the discount code MICAH15. These discounts are applicable through Sunday, July 16 at 11:59 pm ET.
Do you offer bulk discounts for groups?
We do! If you’re interested in ordering studies for a group of five or more, please email us at hello@wellwateredwomen.com for special pricing.
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