Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition

A Christian Survey

series: Encountering Biblical Studies

Materials available for professors by request only

Chapter

34. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Rebuilding a People

Discussion Questions

  1. How can we as believers today deal with fellow believers who are apathetic?
  2. How should church members respond to the lack of proper physical maintenance of church facilities?
  3. What reasons can you find for the lack of information about Zechariah the man?
  4. How effective were the eight night visions that Zechariah had?
  5. What New Testament passage supports Zechariah’s prophesy of the Messiah?
    6.“To do less than your best is a sin.” Evaluate this statement using Malachi as a model.
  6. How should Malachi inform our thinking about divorce?

Class Activities

  1. Divide the class into eight groups. Assign each group one of Haggai’s four messages. Ask the students to apply the theme of the message to the modern situation in Israel. Conclude with a feedback session for the entire class. Class time allowed: 25 minutes.
  2. Divide the class into eight groups. Assign one of Zechariah’s night visions to each group. Have the groups identify the meaning of the vision. End with a feedback session for the entire class. Class time allowed: 20 minutes.
  3. Divide the class into groups of four students. Ask the students to discuss the question “Why should I do my best for God?” Focus on what Malachi teaches about this. Conclude with a general class discussion with input from all of the groups. Class time allowed: 25 minutes.