12: Heaven’s Best Gift – Teaching Plan
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 person? Have you vocalized these negative thoughts? How can we not imagine evil in our hearts when we have these feelings? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can the church experience revival and reformation when there is so much gossip, backbiting, strife, jealousy, and unkind thoughts and words between church members?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 9:9,10.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. When Jesus came riding on the donkey, they wanted to make Him king according to the prophecy, but He declined. Was He setting them up for disappointment, or did they have false expectations? Share.
C. Personal Application: Have you ever claimed a promise or trusted in God for a certain result, but did not get the result you expected? How can we develop faith that won’t fail when things don’t go as hoped, expected, or prayed for? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What do the predictions of Jesus’ first coming have to do with our readiness for His second coming? Does this prophecy have anything in common with being ready for His second coming?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 14:4-9.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is this a prediction for the second coming or third coming of Christ? What evidence do you see here?
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to you that there will be one Lord and His name One? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Is this a prediction that when Jesus comes that we will continue to have mountains, valleys, rivers, and seasons like winter in the new earth?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Zechariah 12:10.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Who killed Jesus? The Roman soldiers? The Jews? You and I? Did He extinguish His own life? Did He die?
C. Personal Application: What does God’s grace mean to you as you look upon Him that they have pierced? In what ways do our supplications mourn for Him? 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)
