Preparing for Sunday - Haggai

August 28, 2014 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read both chapters of Haggai 1-2 in one sitting. Try to read through it several times.
What is the time frame of this book? Read 1:1, 1:15, 2:1, 2:10, 2:18, 2:20
What is the main theme of this book?
Who are the recipients of the prophecy?
How are the people's hearts towards God in chapter 1? How do they respond to Haggai's message?
What does God call himself throughout this book? Why?
What is the role of the temple in the life of the community?
Read 2:3 and 2:6-9. What is the condition of the temple now, as compared to the past? What does God mean by the latter glory will be greater than the former?

How are our hearts like the remnant in their attitude towards God? Who becomes central in our focus?
How is the heart of our body as we come to worship each Sunday? Are we focused on ourselves or God?
What busyness is in your life that distracts you from God and His work? What busynes in our church's life distracts us from God and His work?
What Messianic promises can we find in Haggai? 2:9

Let us consider our ways as the Lord says and respond accordingly. 1:5, 1:7, 1:12
Pray we take ourselves away from the busyness of our lives that takes us away from loving obedience of the purposes of God to make disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:18
Pray for God to show us the busyness in our lives that distracts us from seeing Him fully and giving Him the worship and time He deservers.
How does the work of your hands display Christ to non-Christians who are in your life? Pray for them now specifically. Pray for non-Christians who will be present this Sunday to respond appropriately to God's word.
Pray for those who will be leading our gathering to edify the body well: Dawson Bryant, music; Brett Harris, Corporate Prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Listen to the songs and think through the lyrics. Prepare yourself to be focused on God alone as we sing together this Lord's Day.