February 7-12
Zechariah 9-Malachi 4
GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.
Monday, February 7 Zechariah 9-10 Read & Listen Online Zechariah 9 Read & Listen Online Zechariah 10 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. The Lord will care for His people. Search chapters 9 and 10 of Zechariah and find the many ways God expresses this truth to us, His people. Describe the nuances of each different expression of God’s care for us. What other Scripture passages do you know that express this same truth? Discuss them with your group. Now are you convinced? The Lord cares for His people.
Tuesday, February 8 Zechariah 11-12 Read & Listen Online Zechariah 11 Read & Listen Online Zechariah 12 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. Have you ever wanted to be strong? Give some examples of ways you would want to be strong. Probably all of us want to be strong, in one way or another. What do people do to become strong? What have you done to become strong? Why would the people of Jerusalem, God’s people, be strong (Zechariah 12:5)? How do we become strong in the Lord (See 1 Corinthians 1:8; 15:54-57; 16:13; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; 2:1; 1 Peter 5:10.)? Thank the Lord for His strength.
Wednesday, February 9 Zechariah 13 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. In Zechariah 13, the prophet uses two metaphors to picture God as He sustains and saves His people. The first picture is that of a fountain (Zechariah 13:1) and the second picture is that of a shepherd (Zechariah 13:7). In your group, discuss first the blessings we receive from God, our fountain; consult these Scripture passages for help: Psalm 36:9; Isaiah 55:1; Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10, 14; 7:37-38; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:6. Then encourage each other by reviewing the blessings we receive from Christ, our Good Shepherd; consult these Bible verses for ideas: Isaiah 40:10-11; John 10:11, 14-18; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:24-25. Thank our Lord Jesus for being both a Fountain and a Shepherd for you.
Thursday, February 10 Zechariah 14 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. Do all people of every religion worship the same God? Check out these passages: Exodus 20:1-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:3-13; Hebrews 1:1-2; Colossians 2:9; Acts 4:12. Someday everyone will know who the true God is (Zechariah 14:9). What day is that? What should believers in Christ do now (Matthew 28:19)?
Friday, February 11 Malachi 1-2 Read & Listen Online Malachi 1 Read & Listen Online Malachi 2 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. The story has been told that Luther once entered the pulpit, opened the Bible, then announced, “There is no Gospel for you today,” and left the pulpit. He was upset with his people. Why did God, through Malachi, say essentially the same thing (Malachi 1:10; see also Malachi 1:6-7, 12-13; 2:11, 16)? How might we bring defiled offerings to the Lord? God directs Malachi to identify these sins because He wants the covenant with Levi to continue. What was the covenant with Levi (Numbers 25:10-13)? How has God continued a covenant of peace with us (Hebrews 8:6, 10: 9:14)? Thank God for the peace He brings to us through Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Saturday, February 12 Malachi 3-4 Read & Listen Online Malachi 3 Read & Listen Online Malachi 4 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. The Lord urges His people to “bring the whole tithe” (Malachi 3:10). What is His argument as to why they should do this? See Malachi 3:1, 6, 17; 4:2. How has God given us “the sun of righteousness” (Isaiah 49:6)? What implications does this section of Malachi have for us as we plan our budgets and make use of the resources God has given us?
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