Resources for your church: Small Group Study The book of Haggai www.red2black.org.uk
Introduction The prophet Haggai was active in Jerusalem in or around the year 520 BC. The people of Israel had returned from exile but were experiencing economic hardship. The temple was still in ruins despite some work recorded in the book of Ezra. Haggai s core message was that the people should re-start repairing the temple that they should undertake a major capital project costing time, money and energy. In the middle of recession, was he really urging people who were anxious and struggling to cope to turn their attention to something beyond their own immediate concerns? This message was about as foolish as building a baseball field in a cornfield (for those who have seen the Kevin Costner film Fields of Dreams )! Yet, it was to this godly foolishness that Haggai called the people of God. And what about us? In the midst of recession, are we too being asked to practice a godly, foolish wisdom? For more background see the Haggai sermon and sermon notes at www.red2black.org.uk 1. Field of Dreams The 1989 film Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, an Iowa corn farmer who hears a voice saying, If you build it, he will come, while he is out in his cornfield. If you can find a copy DVD, start by playing a clip from the film. You may wish to serve refreshments alongside the clip. As an alternative to the DVD clip, there are a number of clips from the film on You Tube. In particular, there is a two-minute film trailer at www.youtube.com/watch?v=shtsq9qeprq 2. Sharing stories Invite group members to share a time when they have made a big decision one that maybe seemed a little crazy or over-ambitious, especially to others! It could have been a big decision such as a change of job, emigrating or adopting a child. It could have been a major personal decision, such as moving out of the parental home or going to college. In particular, explore whether anyone has experienced unemployment or reduced working hours. Allow some time for people to share their stories: the risks they took, the doubts they had, and the opinions or reactions of other people. Did they feel that God was present and faithful to them? Another phrase in Field of Dreams is on the lips of James Earl Jones: Go the distance. How hard did you find it to keep going with what you had decided to do, in the face of adverse reaction from others? Were there times when it seemed impossible? The leader should then briefly summarise the background to Haggai s story before the reading.
3. Reading the story: Haggai 1:1-2:9 The reading can be done in a round with all those who are happy to read a section consecutively. Or invite one confident and good reader to prepare the reading in advance. The study questions are divided into four sections and each section has an optional question. If the study is spread over two sessions, then you ll probably find you have time for the optional questions. If you re doing this as a single study, you might want to leave the optional questions until the end, and revisit them if you have time. 4. Bible study Haggai 1:2-6 - bags with holes n The phrase consider your ways in verse 5 means literally set your heart on your ways. Panelled houses (verse 4) is probably a reference to the polished wood that is often used by wealthier people to decorate their homes. A recession provokes understandable anxiety and some people are hit hard. We are challenged here to put God at the centre by building a temple of worship in our own situations and also to evaluate our lifestyle choices and attitudes towards money and possessions. Let s face it, we all have bags with holes (verse 6) and whatever we earn somehow gets lost and we never seem to quite have enough. 1. The people to whom these verses were first spoken were struggling with a recession. In what ways can the economic downturn we are facing hit people hard, eg. loss of job, reduced income, home repossession? How might some people do well in recession? 2. In verse 2 the people say now is not the time to build the temple. Share ways in which financial concerns can absorb our energy and push God to the margins of our lives. (You may wish to develop this discussion with reference to Matthew 6:31-34 and/or Luke 17:26-33. Explore how money issues can erode a kingdom focus in our lives.) 3. [Optional question: Verse 4-6 are a good description of an affluent society, always looking for more. (The leader may also wish to comment on the reference to panelled houses see above). What are the pressures in our society that drive us to want and have more?] If space and time permit, a powerful way of exploring some of these questions is to use a graffiti wall. On a large sheet of paper, or on the back of wallpaper, draw a brick wall and pin it up. Invite group members to graffiti the wall with words and emotions around questions 1 and the reasons for not building the temple in question 2.
5. Bible study Haggai 1:7-12 - God at the centre n Haggai now tells the people to consider what they should do: start building the temple. The purpose is not to create a fabulous building but a focal point a place that puts God at the centre of both personal worship and community life. God will take pleasure in the temple and be glorified. The Hebrew word for pleasure can mean to have compassion, to be gracious and it means the complete opposite to remembering sin or rejecting people. Honour can also be translated as glory. This passage may mean that God will be glorified by worship or that God will cause his glory to dwell in the temple. The text says that the Lord stirred up the spirit of the secular leader Zerubbabel, of the religious leader Joshua and all the people: this is a message for everyone. All have different responsibilities for responding to the problem and healing the nation. 4. Note the description of failed harvests etc. How do group members feel about the environmental implications of our lifestyle choices? Is this a kingdom issue or a distraction from the gospel? 5. Haggai tells them to start building the temple, requiring their time and money and effort. In what practical ways can we as individuals put God at the centre of our personal finances and glorify him in the decisions we make? 6. [Optional question if the group is willing to share freely: Are there areas of our dealings with money where we need to build the temple? ie. in the areas of giving, spending, managing debt, or trusting in God s provision, are any repairs are needed, or does rubble need to be removed or does God need to be placed at the centre? 6. Bible study Haggai 1:13-2:5 - promise and presence At the Feast of Tabernacles in chapter 2, some people were disappointed by the new temple as they compared it with the building that was there before. We don t just need a challenge; we need encouragement also, and here, Haggai offers it in a number of ways. There is God s promise: I am with you (1:13, 2:4). There is also God s stirring of the people s spirit (1:14) and, later, there is an explicit reference to the Spirit of God (2:5). The people are encouraged to take courage and the language reminds us of Joshua (Joshua 1:6) getting ready to cross the Jordan.
7. What personal word of promise and presence and courage do you need from God as we face this recession? 8. Is God stirring up your spirit through this recession and inviting you to be obedient in an area of your life? 9. [Optional question: The word of God is first addressed to the secular ruler Zerubbabel in verses 1-2. What is needed in our nation to rebuild a moral centre in our banking system and economic life? Where does prayer fit in?] 7. Bible study Haggai 2:6-9 - shaking heaven and earth The final section affirms God s sovereignty over the nations, including their wealth, which is the earthly expression of their power: The silver is mine and the gold is mine (2:8). All that we have is from God, who owns everything. A nations wealth speaks of its power and human achievement but God will bring that wealth of nations to make beautiful his temple. All wealth belongs to God and should be used in his service. Our personal financial faithfulness, perhaps especially in a time of recession, blesses us and our church, but goes beyond this to bless our communities as well. 10. The Bible teaches that ultimately everything is owned by God and entrusted to us as stewards. In what ways might this affect how we see our financial situations and lifestyle choices during a recession? 11. In what circumstances might it be permissible to reduce our giving in a recession? When might we be challenged to increase giving? How can we each, in our different circumstances, practice generosity during a time of recession? 12. What are the practical ways in which we, as a church and as individuals, can help people whose lives are being rocked by this downturn?