Why is it important for us to see and remember that the LORD “returned to his people with mercy?” Do you ever have a hard time believing that God will do the same for you? If so, why? When do struggle most to believe this truth about God?
Spend a few moments discussing the already-not-yet aspects of verse 17. How should both aspects impact the life of a believer?
Read and discuss Zechariah 1:18-21. How do these verses teach us that “repentance leads to security?”
Spend a few minutes discussing how the vision given in these verses teach us the truth that God is all-seeing and all-knowing.
In verse 13, the angel describes the “jealousy” God has for his people and “the anger he has for the nations” as “gracious and comforting.” What about these two things are comforting?
How does this passage give us hope?
Read Zechariah 1:2-3. Why was the LORD angry with their fathers?
Spend some time defining and discussing repentance. Why is understanding the anger/wrath of God vital to repentance?
What are things in our life that might keep us from returning to the LORD?
Read Lamentation 3:22-24. What does it mean that there are new mercies every morning?
Why is it important to lament in the midst of suffering? How do we move from lamenting to healing, from grief to peace, from sorrow to hope?
On Sunday, Brady encouraged the sufferer to “seek out real community.” How can we as a community group live out “real community” in the midst of suffering?
Extra credit: What are some of the deepest fears you experience whenever you encounter suffering?
Read and discuss Romans 5:1-5. Why is it important to understand that finding hope in suffering takes time?
On Sunday, Brady said, “Our call to make disciples of all nations doesn’t end when suffering begins.” How can we bear witness to Christ through our suffering?
How have you seen God use your suffering to encourage others?
How does the “fall” help shape the Christian’s view of suffering?
Spend a few minutes discussing the quote, “Suffering can help us experience the full depth and breadth of God’s love for us in ways we could never fully experience when things are going well.”
Read 1 Peter 1:3-7. What does it mean that we have been “born again to a living hope?” How should this impact the way walk through suffering?
What have been some of your biggest takeaways from our time in the book of Haggai?
How are these words fulfilled in the coming of Jesus?
What does it mean that the Lord was going to make Zerubbabel “like a signet ring?”
How do these verses give us hope for the future?
In these verses, we see that things didn’t go well for God’s people whenever they chose to walk in disobedience to the LORD. Have you ever walked through a season of prolonged disobedience as a Christian? How did you fare during this season?
What do verses 10-19 teach us about God’s grace?
God’s people ought to be a gracious people because they belong to a gracious God. How can we practically live graciously as Christians?
How would you summarize the point being made in verse 14?
Why is it important for us to understand that “good works” cannot cleanse us from sin?
Read 1 John 1:8-9 and James 4:8. How can one become cleansed of their sin?
One of the deepest fears of mankind is to be fully known and not fully loved. How does 1 John and James 4 speak to this fear?
Read Ephesians 2. Why is it so important to see how the promises made here in Haggai are fulfilled in Jesus?
Read Hebrews 12:26-29. How do these verses give us hope for the future?
Haggai 2:8 tells us that the “silver” and “gold” of the nations ultimately belongs to the LORD. Why is so important for us to remember that our God never lacks anything?
In verse 5, God reminded his people of the covenant he made with them coming out of Egypt. Why is God’s past faithfulness so important for his people to remember?
What are some practical ways that we can remember God’s faithfulness in our day to day lives
God promised to be with his people as they work. Why is it important for us to understand that “we don’t obey to get God; we obey because God’s got us?”
What does it mean to “fear the LORD?” Why do you think God’s people feared the LORD? What is the correlation between the fear of the LORD and obedience to the LORD?
Whenever God’s people began to obey the LORD, he made a point to tell them that he was with them. Why do you think he did this?
Do you ever find obedience to God to be scary? If so, why?
Have you ever walked in obedience to the LORD and experienced the comforting presence of God? If so, would you be willing to share with the group?
It seems that Israel had become indifferent toward rebuilding the temple of God. Why is an apathetic heart toward God so dangerous?
Where do you find yourself currently? Do you feel that you’ve become indifferent toward God? Or do you feel that you’re in a season where you’re serving the Lord well?
What are some practical ways that we can guard our hearts/lives from becoming apathetic toward the Lord?
We see in these verses that the instrument God chose to use to resuscitate the hearts of his apathetic people was economic difficulties. What is a healthy way to view suffering as Christians?
Why do you think Haggai is so specific with the timing of this prophecy in verse 1?
What excuses do we often give for not serving the Lord right now?
What does working on the temple of God look like today for us as believers?
Paul in writing to Timothy, says that the Lord’s servant “must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness (2 Tim. 2:24).” Why is it so important for Christians to be gentle and not quarrelsome?
What are some practical ways that we as Christians can better use our social media?
What are some practical ways that we as the church can be salt and light in our community since the overturning of Roe v. Wade?
What was the importance of Tychicus?
Paul wasn’t ashamed of others knowing about his struggles. In fact, he wanted the church to know about the suffering he was enduring so that “their hearts might be encouraged.” Why is honesty about our struggles important to the health of the church?
What is the significance of the titles “beloved brother” and “faithful minister?”
In verse 4, John tells us that Passover was at hand. Why is that an important detail about this story? How does this miracle point to the cross?
If “usefulness in the kingdom of God doesn’t rest on the shoulders of our age,” how can we as a church do a better job at incorporating our young people into the life of the church?
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Yet, only John mentions the young boy. Why is it important for us to know that a lack of recognition doesn’t equal a lack of importance?
Bonus: Jesus knew that he was going to feed the 5,000 with the young boys food long before it actually happened? How should the truth that God has “good works prepared for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10” shape the way we live?
1. What do you find most encouraging about Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well?
2. When do you find it difficult to give the gospel to others?
3. How do you know if you are a true worshipper?
4. How can we encourage one another to have the same joy the woman had in inviting her neighbors to “come and see”?
What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Bezalel and Oholiab?
Why was the significance of the tabernacle?
Both Bezalel and Oholiab came from different places in society, yet they were both called to the same task. How does it impact us today?
God told Moses that he called and equipped Bezalel and Oholiab with craftsmanship and ability to construct the tabernacle. How does that impact the way we view and use our skills and abilities?
What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Abraham’s servant?
What role did this servant play in the overarching story of redemption? Why is that important for us to see and understand?
In a world that lives for fame and recognition, why is it important for Christians to see that one can make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God while living in the shadows?