1. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROPHET? CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROPHET’S CALL

2. A PROPHET SPEAKS FOR GOD Experience with God, Hearing God’s word Receiving God’s plan Led by the Spirit

3. PROPHETS: CRITICS OF INJUSTICE They see injustice/suffering, cry out Speak of changed attitudes & behaviours Challenge the powerful to make better choices to fix the wrongs done towards the poor

4. DEFENDERS OF POOR & VOICELESS Prophets are voices for the voiceless Are on the side of the poor, where God is “Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.”

5. OBEY ONLY GOD Prophets not interested in power, glory & possessions Confront: Kings, priests, entire peoples

6. HAVE CONVICTION & COURAGE Not easy speaking out against the culture, leadership, King

7. HAVE VISION / THE CONSCIENCE OF THE COMMUNITY Traditionally sent to the Kings

8. PERSECUTED & MOCKED Suffer similar fate of those they are trying to defend A prophet’s success always comes after their death Win a spiritual victory because of their commitment to God & the poor

9. TRUE VS. FALSE PROPHETS Do not draw attention to themselves (Message is most N.B.) Don’t see themselves as worthy Promote unity, justice & Peace Willing to sacrifice themselves Focus: welfare of others Seek personal glory, material rewards Create dissension, serve a small vested- interest group Give up when threatened Eventually seen as selfish / in error