WEEK 2 // ‘Kingdom Expectations’
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- Read Haggai Chapter 2: 1-9
- Unpack
This Chapter is set one month after the previous one and explores the return exiles’ struggles as they rebuild the temple. They look back fondly on their ancestor’s temple (the temple of Solomon) and question whether the one they are building will live up to the glory of the previous temple.
Watch this video on Nostalgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiTgn5QH_HU
- Reflect: Nostalgia
Q1 –Have you ever experienced nostalgia? if so, give one example. Was it a good or bad experience for you?
Q2 – do you ever experience nostalgia for an experience you’ve had in church? if so please share.
- Reflect: God’s House
Q3 – This chapter is all about prioritising building God’s house. For 21st-century Christians, what and where is God’s house? Hint: look to the New Testament John 2:19-22 and Ephesians 2:21–22
Q4 – What does Haggai 1:10-15 and Ephesians 2:21-22 teach us about God’s involvement in building God’s house?
- Unpack
Last week we explored how the new temple was Christ, and now Christ’s presence dwells in and with us, His church. The encouragement for us was to continue building his church, or in other words, prioritise our communal life and worship together. Often like the exiles, we can look back on a past experience of Church with such fondness that we are constantly trying to go back or replicate it, even when our context has changed. It can be easy to become underwhelmed and have lower expectations for the future of our communal life as Christians. However, Haggai is a good reminder that we can’t return to the past, but God has a great promise for the future.
- Read 2: 6-9
Q3 – As you read these passages, what do you see as God’s promise to the church for our communal life?
Q4 – As you think of the whole of scripture, what are some stories of God at work with his world and people that were totally unexpected?
- Unpack
Continue to reflect on the promise of God in Haggai 2:6-9 and all the unexpected ways that god has worked beyond human imagination and capabilities. Recall that in verse 4 of today’s reading Haggai invites us to be part of God’s work:
“ Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
- Reflect and Action
Q5 – Be honest with yourself. Do you have expectations that God can continue to shape and grow the church beyond your own imagination?
Q6 – What do you see as the current blockers to the church living out its call to love God and love neighbour?
- Pray:
Bring these things to God and pray for inspiration on how our community can creatively work around these blockers and create a meaningful communal life as followers of Christ.
WEEK 1 // ‘Kingdom Priorities’
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- Read Haggai Chapter 1
- Unpack
This Chapter explores the struggles of those who return to Judah after the Babylonian exile and their efforts to rebuild. In a time of hardship, they promoted their own needs ahead of the Lord. They remain cold, hungry, and never really flourishing. Although it can be easy to blame the people for putting their own needs ahead of rebuilding the Temple, we know that they do not do so out of a selfish focus on their own luxury; rather, in a time of hardship, they see their own survival as taking precedence.
This is a common occurrence during the difficult times of our lives. We find it easy to withdraw from serving God and serving others, claiming that we need all our resources to meet our own requirements.
- Reflect: Priorities and Hardship
Q1 – Can you think of a time in your life when things have felt really hard, where you’ve felt your own needs take precedence over God’s calling?
Q2 – Do you think that in times of hardship, you have chosen between meeting your own needs and serving God? Being realistic, what does prioritising both look like for you?
- Reflect: God’s House
Q3 – This chapter is all about prioritising building God’s house. For 21st-century Christians, what and where is God’s house? Hint: look to the New Testament John 2:19-22 and Ephesians 2:21–22
Q4 – What does Haggai 1:10-15 and Ephesians 2:21-22 teach us about God’s involvement in building God’s house?
- Unpack
Haggai challenges our priorities and leaves us with is an invitation to join in the community of God’s people here on earth. Whether that is here at BMBC, getting to know and serve the community or being part of another Christian movement, community or organisation.
- Reflect and Action
Q5 – Be honest with yourself, what are you prioritising ahead of being part of God’s community?
Q6 – Be practical now, how will you more fully join in the communal life of God’s people?