Community Group Questions November 12th-18th
Haggai
Haggai 1:1-8 - The Command to Rebuild the Temple
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
Questions:
Doctrine - How we Think
- What does the existence of the temple teach us about worshiping God? What are some reasons that we can pull from the scriptures that God put it in the life of Israel's worship?
- Conversations about grace and effort are often confusing in a church that rightfully promotes the foundation of the gospel in God's grace. How do you think Haggai contributes to that conversation of law/effort and the gospel of grace?
Worship - How we Feel
- What do you think of the reasons that the people who returned to Jerusalem use for not rebuilding the temple? Do they seem reasonable? Something you can identify with?
- As the people respond in repentance, Gary Smith commented, "God deeply stirred their hearts, transformed their wills, and promised that HIs abiding presence would help overcome the people’s fear." Can you think of a time where this was your experience with God?
Application - What we Do
- What are the priorities in your life right now that are most threatening to a healthy walk with the Lord? What are some practical steps you can take the ensure that is not the case?
- What are ways that the truth that Jesus has "tabernacled" among us can encourage you this week as you go about your daily life?
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