Purpose: A light, memorable framework to help you go deeper with Self Discovery Bible Studies (SOS). This is not a Bible study by itself; it’s a guide to frame your own discovery and group conversations.

Audience: Individuals and small groups familiar with SOS basics who want a next-step scaffold.  Do Not Proceed without mastering the Basic SOS.  This is for SOS -  The next level.

How to use this resource

1. Pray — Ask God for clarity and willingness to respond.
2. Read — Take the suggested passages; read aloud and silently.
3. Notice — What stands out? Repeated words? Commands? Promises?
4. Ask — What does this reveal about God/people? What’s the main message?
5. Obey — What will I do this week in response? (Specific & doable.)
6. Share — Who will I tell? (Accountability + encouragement.)

Quick note on tone: Written in the playful spirit of simple summaries to jog the memory later. 

Map of the Prophets

Major Prophets (longer books):

• Isaiah — Holy God, coming King, hope beyond judgment.
• Jeremiah — Warns Judah; calls for heart-level repentance; Lamentations mourns the fall of Jerusalem.
• Ezekiel — God’s glory, new heart/new spirit, restoration.
• Daniel — Faithful witness in exile; God rules the kingdoms of people.

Minor Prophets (shorter books): Hosea · Joel · Amos · Obadiah · Jonah · Micah · Nahum · Habakkuk · Zephaniah · Haggai · Zechariah · Malachi

Historical setting

• Pre‑exile (Assyrian/Babylonian threats): Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk.
• Exile (in Babylon): Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah.
• Post‑exile (return and rebuild): Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Timeline and Map Clues for all the Prophets. or a Simpler Timeline

One‑line “ Olof Explains...” (memory hooks)

• Hosea: Covenant love pursues unfaithful people.
• Joel: Day of the Lord—judgment and the Spirit poured out.
• Amos: Justice and righteousness matter to God.
• Obadiah: Pride falls; God defends His people.
• Jonah: God’s mercy reaches even enemies; prophets need grace too.
• Micah: Walk humbly; a ruler from Bethlehem brings peace.
• Nahum: God brings down brutal empires (Nineveh).
• Habakkuk: Honest questions; trust God’s faithfulness.
• Zephaniah: Day of the Lord shakes the nations, then restores.
• Haggai: Rebuild God’s house; reorder priorities.
• Zechariah: Visions of renewal; King comes gentle, bringing salvation.
• Malachi: Return to wholehearted worship; a messenger prepares the way.
• Isaiah: Holy God, suffering servant, future glory.
• Jeremiah: New covenant written on hearts.
• Ezekiel: New heart, new spirit, new temple presence.
• Daniel: God rules; stay faithful in exile.

Core Themes to trace (SOS prompts)

• Covenant faithfulness: Where do you see God’s steadfast love and people’s response?
• Justice & mercy: What injustices are condemned? What does true worship look like?
• Idolatry & loyalty: What competes for the heart? What does repentance involve?
• Day of the Lord: How are judgment and hope held together?
• Remnant & restoration: Who is preserved and why?
• Messianic hope: Promises of a coming King/Servant/Shepherd.
• New heart/New covenant/Spirit: What kind of transformation is promised?

SOS tip: Circle verbs (commands), underline promises, box repeated words. Journal 1–2 sentences: What will I do this week? Who will I tell?

Suggested Reading Pathways

Pick one pathway below (or mix). Each meeting: read, discover, obey, share.

(A) 4‑week Overview

1. Isaiah 6; 9:1–7; 53
2. Jeremiah 31:31–34; Lamentations 3:19–33
3. Ezekiel 36:22–32; 37:1–14
4. Joel 2:12–32; Micah 6:6–8; Malachi 3:1–4

(B) 8‑week Survey

1. Amos 5; Hosea 11
2. Isaiah 1; 40
3. Jeremiah 1; 31
4. Ezekiel 1; 36–37
5. Jonah 1–4
6. Habakkuk 1–3
7. Zechariah 9; 12–13
8. Malachi 1; 3–4

(C) Justice & Hope Focus
Amos 5 · Micah 6 · Isaiah 58 · Zephaniah 3 · Zechariah 9 · Malachi 3

Discussion Question Bank

• What word/phrase stood out and why?
• What does this show about God’s character? About people?
• What sin/injustice/idol is identified? What would repentance look like?
• What hope or promise is offered? On what basis?
• What is one simple, specific action I will take this week?
• Who will I share this with for encouragement and accountability?

Key Terms (plain‑language)

• Prophet: God’s messenger who speaks God’s word into real situations.
• Judgment: God putting things right—confronting evil and hypocrisy.
• Repentance: Turning from sin to God with changed heart and actions.
• Righteousness/Justice: Right relationships with God and people; treating others as God commands.
• Remnant: The faithful preserved through crisis.
• Messiah/King/Servant: The promised leader who brings God’s rescue and rule.

Going Deeper (Next‑level SOS)

• Track a theme (e.g., “new heart”) across 3 prophets; summarize what you learn in 5 sentences.
• Compare two time periods (pre‑exile vs post‑exile): What changes? What stays the same?
• Memorize Micah 6:8 or Jeremiah 31:33–34 and share how it shapes your week.

Leader Tips

• Keep it discovery‑based: resist lecturing. Ask questions, wait, listen.
• End with “I will…” statements and prayer for one another.
• Next meeting starts by sharing how it went and praying again.

This guide is provided to support SOS next‑level exploration. 

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