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 going have in your budget? Is it the same priority as tithe, or does it depend on other expenses what you give?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I can barely pay my tithe, and the church wants me to pitch in another five percent of my income for offerings. A lot of people in the church don’t even pay tithe; why should I contribute so much?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Haggai 1:12-14.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Who cleans your church? Who does the mowing, plowing, planting? Do you have cleaning bees each year so everyone can pitch in? Who does the repairs to the church? Who does the spiritual work of the church to keep it healthy? Share.
C. Personal Application: In what ways are you personally active in your church? In what ways could you be more active?
1) Is it hard to get people to accept church positions at nominating time? Why do you think this is so? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “We used to pay someone to clean the church as a way to help them cover their children’s tuition to the church school; but since that’s over, we set up a schedule for families in the church to alternate each week to clean. It’s working fairly well and saves us money, but some people just don’t clean very well or they neglect to do their share.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Haggai 2:6-9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does the word “desire” mean? What is it that all nations desire in Christ?
C. Personal Application: Why is it important to understand that the silver and gold belongs to the Lord? Is being a steward of His property a priority in our lives, or do we consider it ours? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “In what way would the new house of the Lord be greater than the first one? The people weren’t very happy with the new temple because it didn’t have the size or the magnificence of the first one?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 24:25-27.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why did Jesus expect the apostles to know and understand the Bible prophecies concerning Himself? Why did He call them fools and slow to understand?
C. Personal Application: How well does God want us to understand not only the New Testament, but also the Old? Are we slow to understand God’s word and will for us? 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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