Lesson Summary:

Zephaniah declares the coming judgment of the Lord on Judah while offering hope for salvation.

Focus Passage: Zephaniah 1:1-2:3

Outline and Lesson Goal

Principles and Applications

I. The Removal of Sinners (Zephaniah 1:1-6)

Principle: God Will Completely Remove Sinners from His Presence.
Application: How is your life showing that you have not turned away from the Lord? What do you need to follow the Lord wholeheartedly?
Scripture Reference

⁴The wicked are not so,But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
⁶For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,But the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:4-6 (NASB)

II. The Punishment of Sinners (Zephaniah 1:7-18)

- Principle: God Will Punish Sinners for their Sins against Him.
- Application: How is your life showing signs of spiritual complacency? What do you need to do to avoid the discipline of the Lord?
- Scripture Reference

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?
I Peter 4:17-18 (NASB)

III. The Hope for Sinners (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

Principle: God Still Offers Sinners an Opportunity for Salvation.
Application: What are you doing to show everyone the great hope of salvation in Christ?
Scripture Reference

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
³¹He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
³²And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
Acts 5:30-32 (NASB)