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 this do any good?
C. Personal Application: Do you think you need to restore a relationship with God? What steps would you take to renew that relationship or improve it? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “In spite of all God’s promises of His help and guidance, why do we so often fall to our own weaknesses? How can we change that?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 2:7-11.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How much of our lives, time, and thoughts should we be focused on reaching the many nations with the everlasting gospel message we have? Share.
C. Personal Application: Do you feel confident and assured knowing that God watches over you, or does it seem like things happen randomly to you that He doesn’t seem to protect you from? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does Zion dwell with the daughters of Babylon? Is this a promise of God to ancient Israel to return them to Jerusalem, or does it have a secondary application as well?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 3:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the significance of Joshua’s filthy rags and his change of raiment? What does this scene represent?
C. Personal Application: How can you be sure that God forgives you? When can you have the assurance of forgiveness? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why is Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to accuse and resist him? What has Satan got to do with salvation and the judgment?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 7:8-14.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can people substitute religious practices like fasting and prayer for what true Christian faith should be?
C. Personal Application: Do we listen to God’s counsel through His word, prophets, the pulpit, or in the Sabbath school as applying to ourselves, or do we pull our shoulders away and stop our ears? Share..
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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