Unit 21, Session 3: Haggai, Prophet to Judah
Haggai 1–2
Christ Connection: God’s people struggled to do what God wanted them to do. God chose Zerubbabel to help the people finish the temple. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do God’s will. Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin so that we can do His will.
Adult Connection Point:
Voices from the Church “Our job is not to transform people into Christians nor to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibility to make people do what they ought to do. Our task is to bring them to Jesus, and He will perform His divine work in their lives.” –Henry Blackaby [Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day (Nashville: B&H, 1998), 295.]
One of the most beautiful truths of salvation is that God has done everything necessary to remove the sin barrier to a relationship with Him. He doesn't simply hide our sins; when we repent and believe, He forgives our sins and removes our guilt through Jesus. We are made pure, and our broken relationship with God is restored the moment we trust in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
Disciples of Jesus must be committed to the mission of their Savior and Lord. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). When we enter into a relationship with God through Jesus, we are committing to become like Jesus. His way of life becomes our way of life. His love becomes our love. His mission becomes our mission. The presence of the Holy Spirit in God’s people empowers us to fulfill the mission of God, thus giving us a purpose beyond our own salvation. Through the saving power of the gospel and the filling of our hearts with God’s Spirit, we are empowered to join God’s rescue mission—one person at a time.
Family Devotion:
Materials: puzzle
Direct your family to the puzzle pieces on the floor. Inform them you are going to put the puzzle together while the rest of the family tries to prevent you from completing it. (Note: Give in a few times especially if you have preschoolers.) Feel free to whine and complain.
Recall or re-read the Bible story and then ask, “What were some problems the Israelites ran into while building the temple?” God’s people were discouraged for several reasons. The neighbors continued to interrupt the people’s progress so the Israelites gave up. Some of the blame went to the Israelites themselves, though. They were not honoring God by putting themselves first instead of God.
Ask, “How did God encourage the people in his message to Haggai?” Remind your kids
that God encouraged the people and gave them the strength and resources to do His will—rebuild the temple. Jesus always did God’s will, and you, too, can do God’s will when you ask for His help.
Share a hard situation you are struggling in with your family. Challenge your kids to think of anything they are having a hard time doing that they know God wants them to do.
Pray, asking God to give you the strength to do His will.
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