God’s Special Spokesman- The Prophets Chapter 6 God’s Special Spokesman- The Prophets

Lesson 1:Prophets Read paragraphs 1-6

Lesson 1:Prophets Prophets were like farmers and gardeners for God They cultivated God’s garden so that it would be beautiful for His son If a garden is to grow strong and healthy, one must spend a lot of time mowing the lawn, pruning, weeding, and watering. God has appointed gardeners

Lesson 1:Prophets

Lesson 1:Prophets All prophets were messengers Their methods of delivery varied Spoke words directly Spoke them as poetry Performed great acts Encouraged people to trust in God- not powerful nations Warned that God would punish them if they did not live as His holy people

Lesson 1:Prophets Major prophets Amos Left long written tests Obadiah Isaiah Jonah Jeremiah Micah Ezekiel Nahum Daniel Habakkuk Zephaniah Minor Prophets Haggai Did not write as much Zechariah Hosea Malachi Joel

Lesson 1:Prophets Summary: Prophets are witnesses to truth, who sometimes foretell the future. The Prophets are divided into 2 main categories: major and minor The Israelites waited for the coming of the Savior, or Messiah (Anointed One)

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha Read paragraphs 7-9

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha Are not major or minor prophets, because they did not leave us writings Very important in salvation history

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha Most famous for contest he held with some pagan priests on Mount Carmel He and the pagan priests set up altars and asked their gods to set their sacrifices and altar on fire A blaze came from God- not the other gods Drew many men that soon followed him Was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha He lived with Elijah Worked many miracles Multiplied bread- prefigures Jesus

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha Carmelites Religious order Dedicate lives offering prayers to God for the needs of His people

Lesson 2: Elijah and Elisha Summary: Two very great prophets are Elijah and Elisha They prefigure Jesus

Lesson 3: Isaiah Read paragraphs 10-11

Lesson 3: Isaiah Most important prophet Lived 800 years before the birth of Christ Spoke mostly about the coming of the Messiah Prophecies: The Messiah’s virgin Mother The Messiah will be a great light The Messiah will be a great ruler The Messiah will suffer The Messiah shines in glory upon the people

Lesson 3: Isaiah Summary: one of the greatest prophets Prophesied about the Messiah His messages help man recognize Jesus as the Messiah

Lesson 4: John the Baptist Read paragraphs 12-17

Lesson 4: John the Baptist Bridge between two parts of salvation history His mission was to prepare the Jews for the public ministry of Jesus Born 6 months before Jesus Cousin of Jesus Son of Zechariah and Elizabeth Were elderly Had no children Angel appeared to him at the temple stating he would have a child At his birth the Holy Spirit stated that he would be the herald and forerunner of Jesus

Lesson 4: John the Baptist Grew up around the Jordan River Would tell people to repent Would pour water over those who wanted to give up sin Stated that someone mightier is coming Victim of persecution King Herod did not like what he was doing Sentenced him to prison and was later beheaded Receives the most honor in the Church’s prayers and liturgy after Jesus and Mary

Lesson 4: John the Baptist

Lesson 4: John the Baptist Summary: last and greatest prophet Bridge between two parts of salvation history Herald of the Messiah There were miracles that surrounded the birth of John the Baptist Cousin of Jesus Baptized people with a baptism of repentance