Key Thought : Malachi’s message is that though God has revealed His love for them: they were not being accountable to Him in obedience and love, but were going through a formal, ritualistic worship.
[Teaching plan for Lest We Forget June 24, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Malachi 2:6-9.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Do we hold priests, pastors, and ministers more accountable for their behavior because they [...]
“The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” Zechariah 9:16 NIV
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
[Thought questions for Heaven's Best Gift June 19,2013]
1. Welcome to the celebration. Have you ever felt awe over the way the Bible weaves the past, the future, and the present into one tapestry? Of the minor prophets we have studied so far this [...]
Key Thought : Zechariah has some wonderful Messianic prophecies that point to Jesus and affirm our faith in Him.
[Teaching plan for Heaven's Best Gift June 17, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 8:16,17.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is it so easy for people to lie and practice deceitful behavior in everyday interaction with others?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever had negative and unkind thoughts toward another [...]
” ‘ “In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,” declares the Lord Almighty.’ ” Zechariah 3:10 NIV
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
[Thought questions for Visions of Hope June 12, 2013]
1. We have this hope. How do you think Zechariah would feel to hear us lustily singing the Adventist hymn, “We Have This Hope”? Wouldn’t it be easier for all concerned if Jesus would come now? Why doesn’t He? [...]
Key Thought : Zechariah’s message was for God’s people not to lose hope, but to learn to serve Him in the present.
[Teaching plan for Visions of Hope June 10, 2013]
1. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 1:1-5.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does one “return” unto the Lord? Since He is talking to the church members who think they have a relationship with Him, how would [...]
“‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty’” (Haggai 2:8, NIV).
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
[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
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
[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
Image © Justinen Creative from GoodSalt.com
[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).
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
[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 [...]
