October 8 – 14

Weekly Reading for October 8 – 14

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Praying with Eyes Wide Open
Sermon Title: Praying with Eyes Wide Open

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on October 15, 2017:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Major Lessons from Minor Prophets, Part Two
Sermon Title: The Hope of Healing and Restoration
Delivered On: October 8, 2017

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Memorize and Reflect

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9)

“Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.(Zechariah 1:16)


Prayer Direction

Ask God to show you any areas in your life where He may not be the top priority or are not honoring to Him. For each of those areas, confess and ask for God’s forgiveness and for His power to help you reprioritize your life, walk in freedom and live within the blessings of His perfect will for you spiritually, relationally, financially, and physically.


“Live It!” Challenge

The Hope of Healing and Restoration - What is one area in your life where you desire spiritual healing and restoration? Maybe it is a relationship with a loved one that is strained or broken. Maybe it is your desire to serve or give to God more generously. Maybe it is to fulfill a commitment to follow His will for your life or to honor Him by pursuing healthy relationships and lifestyle practices. Using the model of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration, commit to daily prayer and take at least one step towards bringing healing to this situation/relationship.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Stage Setter: Read: Ezra 3:7-13 Describe what was occurring. Why was the rebuilding of the temple so important to the returning exiles of Israel (Judah)?

  2. Read: Haggai 1:1-11 What was getting in the way of this effort nearly 16 years later? What was the effect it was having on the people and their own lives? (Hint: What blessings were they missing out on?)

  3. Read: Haggai 1:12-13 and Zechariah 1:1-6 This a powerful picture of the importance and outcome of repentance and God’s mercy in the process. What elements do you see in these verses?

  4. How might this example help us as we identify areas in our lives that may not be pleasing to God and how we might seek His forgiveness?

  5. Read: Haggai 2:4-5 and Haggai 2:18-19 In the wake of repentance and obedience, how does God respond to the people?

  6. Read: Haggai 2:6-9, Zechariah 1:16-17, and Zechariah 9:9 How do these verses help point us to Jesus, the Messiah and what He alone brings to Jerusalem and God’s people?

  7. As we consider these words spoken by prophets over 500 years prior to Jesus’ birth, how does this give us hope as we consider our lives and His promises for those who choose to follow Him?

  8. Has there been a time in your life where you experienced brokenness and pain as a result of your willful disregard for God and His ways? Having repented and received His forgiveness, how have you seen God’s blessings manifest in your life and in the lives of those you love?

  9. Are there any areas in your life today that you have not yet reconciled with God or with others? If so, what are some positive steps toward reconciliation that you can take this week?

  10. Stage Setter: Read: Ezra 3:7-13 Describe what was occurring. Why was the rebuilding of the temple so important to the returning exiles of Israel (Judah)?

  11. Read: Haggai 1:1-11 What was getting in the way of this effort nearly 16 years later? What was the effect it was having on the people and their own lives? (Hint: What blessings were they missing out on?)

  12. Read: Haggai 1:12-13 and Zechariah 1:1-6 This a powerful picture of the importance and outcome of repentance and God’s mercy in the process. What elements do you see in these verses?

  13. How might this example help us as we identify areas in our lives that may not be pleasing to God and how we might seek His forgiveness?

  14. Read: Haggai 2:4-5 and Haggai 2:18-19 In the wake of repentance and obedience, how does God respond to the people?

  15. Read: Haggai 2:6-9, Zechariah 1:16-17, and Zechariah 9:9 How do these verses help point us to Jesus, the Messiah and what He alone brings to Jerusalem and God’s people?

  16. As we consider these words spoken by prophets over 500 years prior to Jesus’ birth, how does this give us hope as we consider our lives and His promises for those who choose to follow Him?

  17. Has there been a time in your life where you experienced brokenness and pain as a result of your willful disregard for God and His ways? Having repented and received His forgiveness, how have you seen God’s blessings manifest in your life and in the lives of those you love?

  18. Are there any areas in your life today that you have not yet reconciled with God or with others? If so, what are some positive steps toward reconciliation that you can take this week?