Theme

Taking the time to evaluate priorities

Questions

• How do you set your priorities in life? Is actively thinking about priorities something which you find easy or difficult to do?
• When the people first went back to the land they laid the foundation of the Temple, but years later the building is still not complete. The reason they give for this is ‘timing’ (Haggai 1:2). How easy is it to use ‘timing’ as an excuse for inaction? Why do we do it?
• When Zerubbabel and the others choose to return to Jerusalem it is with a particular purpose (see 2 Chronicles 36:23 & Ezra 1:2-3), but looking at Haggai 1:3-4 it seems like the people have prioritised other things.
  • What causes us to forget our original reasons for doing something?
  • Is it natural for us to prioritise our own things over God’s? Why/why not?
• Twice in the passage, Haggai tells Zerubbabel and the others to “give careful thought to your ways” (v.5 & 7).
  • Do you ever take the time to stop and consider your priorities, especially your priorities about God?
  • What prevents you from “giving careful thought to your ways”?
• One of the reasons the people stopped building the temple was that they faced opposition and discouragement. Compare Ezra 3:1-4 with Ezra 4:1-5 (and Ezra 4:23-24).
  • Why do you think the people were prepared to keep going despite their fears at the beginning of the build, but not later on?
  • Can opposition or discouragement be an excuse to stop serving God? How do you think we can persevere despite opposition?
• Zerubbabel and the others are busy, but their lives don’t seem to produce any lasting satisfaction (v.5-6).
  • Can you relate to their busy but dissatisfied living?
  • Later God gives a reason for their dissatisfaction with all their activity (v.9). How do you think building up God’s temple (his people/church) can lead to more satisfied living?
• At the end of Haggai’s speech God reminds the people “I am with you” (v.13). How does knowing that God is with you help you to evaluate and maybe change your priorities?
• At the beginning of Haggai’s second speech to Zerubbabel, God reminds the people that he is with them, but he also includes an instruction: work (Haggai 2:4-5)
  • Why do you think the people needed to be reminded to work?
  • Do you ever need a reminder that serving God is part of our commitment as one of his people?

• In the light of this passage, are their things you need to change in your life, for example certain priorities or even the willingness to review your priorities?

• If you could ask Zerubbabel one question, what would it be? (what do you think his answer would be?)