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 are God’s messengers? Do you think God holds them more accountable because of their calling?
C. Personal Application: Do you consider yourself a minister of Christ? A part of the royal priesthood? Should we be held more accountable than those outside the church and knowledge of God? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “When it says the religious leaders have been partial in the law; is that a reference to doing away with or ignoring the Sabbath? Or is this a general statement about how leaders sometimes stress one part of the law as being important while overlooking or excusing other parts?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Malachi 3:6-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is not paying tithes and offerings a form of hurting yourself as well as hurting God and His cause? Share.
C. Personal Application: If offerings aren’t mandatory, only as the Lord has blessed; why do churches set up so many programs that depend on free will offerings to fund them and stress to the members they need to pay so much to support them? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “The tithing system was for the Jews and sustaining the temple. We should give something to the church every week, but a tenth is too much. If fifty or a hundred members gave twenty dollars each every week, that would be plenty to take care of the pastor and the church.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Malachi 4:1-6.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the family message so important in preparing a people for the Lord’s soon return? Did the Lord foresee the breakdown of the family unit in speaking through His prophet?
C. Personal Application: How important is the family in your life? What values and preparation have you given your children in being ready for the Lord’s return? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why does this say Elijah shall come before Jesus? Will Elijah literally come back down from heaven? Or is this like when Jesus said John the Baptist was the Elijah of His first coming? If so, who is Elijah today and what is his message?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Malachi 3:14,15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Does going to church or trying to share your faith ever get boring or frustrating? What practical ways can you deal with boredom or frustration in church or in witnessing?
C. Personal Application: Does it seem like being kind or good is for losers? Have you felt like those who are proud and lifted up and walk all over others seem to be the ones who get all the fame and fortune? What keeps you from envy and emulation? 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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