“‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty’” (Haggai 2:8, NIV).
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[Thought questions for First Things First June 5, 2013]
1. Are we there yet? How did you feel the last time you read the Old Testament from start to finish and came to the small book, Haggai? Was it tempting to page through the few verses of this book to get on to the New Testament? Or did you slow [...]
Key Thought : Haggai’s message was simple and logical. What are our priorities, and why is it important to get them right.
[Teaching plan for First Things First June 3, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Haggai 1:3-7.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What reason did Haggai tell Israel that their labor and efforts weren’t being prosperous?
C. Personal Application: What priority does offerings to keep the local church [...]
“The Lord will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth: people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations.” Zephaniah 2:11 NKJV
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[Thought questions for The Day of the Lord May 29, 2013]
1. An inclusive belief. From what you have studied so far in the final books of the Old Testament, would you say that God’s concept of His [...]
Key Thought : Zephaniah’s message shows the nearness of a universal judgment including God’s own people, and a promise that the saved from all nations will enjoy God’s blessings..
[Teaching plan for The Day of the Lord May 27, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Zephaniah 2:1-3.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does a person seek righteousness and meekness?
C. Personal Application: What kind of situations have you [...]
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14 NASB
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[Thought Questions for Trusting God's Goodness May 22, 2013]
1. Filled with God’s knowledge. Remember reading a few weeks ago about the time in the future when people will be gnashing their teeth for a lack of knowledge? Is it hard for us to imagine, as Habakkuk prophesies, a time when the [...]
Key Thought : We may not understand why tragedy happens, or injustice, violence, and evil; but we can trust God through it all.
[Teaching plan for Trusting God's Goodness May 20, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Habakkuk 1:2-5
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we learn to trust in God’s goodness and justice when the world is so full of evil and injustice?
C. Personal Application: Is [...]
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
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[Thought questions for God's Special People May 15, 2013]
1. Destructive judgment. Why were the prophets so distressed about the judgments of doom they were called to deliver? Is it possible to deliver God’s promises and His conclusions without feeling a sense [...]
Key Thought: Micah could see evil and violence creeping into Judah and preached against dishonesty, injustice, bribery, and mistrust; but also offered encouraging words of hope.
[Teaching plan for God's Special People May 13, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Micah 6:8
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is it so hard to be merciful to people? Isn’t it easier to want justice instead of mercy?
C. Personal Application: [...]
“‘But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord’” (Jonah 2:9, NIV).
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
[Thought questions for Eager to Forgive May 8, 2013]
1. The poetry of Jonah. Is the entire book of Jonah or just the song he writes from the belly of the fish a work of dramatic poetry? What are some blessings of having poetry throughout Scripture? Since Hebrew poetry doesn’t [...]
Key Thought: The story of Jonah shows how God patiently taught His stubborn prophet what grace, mercy, and forgiveness are all about.
[Teaching plan for Eager to Forgive May 6, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 139:3-8
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is God’s Spirit with us at all times? What if we grieve the Spirit? Does God “turn us off” on His radar?
C. Personal Application: Are [...]
