God Encounters 10: Haggai’s Story
“Priorities in House Building”
Reading for the week of August 29 – September 4
Day 1- Haggai 1-2
Day 2- Nehemiah 1-2
Day 3- Nehemiah 4&6
Day 4- Nehemiah 8-9
Day 5- Nehemiah 12-13
Day 6- Haggai 1-2
Bonus- The Book of Ezra
Memorize/Reflect - “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:4)
Personal Reflection – What are some of the things that can consume your time, attention, and energy and distract you from investing in your walk with the Lord? What can you do to invest in “building God’s house,” and growing your relationship with the Lord?
Discussion – Use the two discussion questions above as you talk with others.
Prayer Direction – Pray for eyes to see where you have been building your own house, dreams, or kingdom but have forgotten to do the things of God. Pray for wisdom to identify the next steps you need to take in building God’s house (your walk with Jesus). And, ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill you in this process.
“Live It!” Challenge - Look at the next month of your life and identify one new “building project” for your spiritual life. It could be an act of service, a new commitment to prayer, going deeper in the Word, or anything that grows your faith.
September Prayer Focus: Scripture Memory and Wisdom. In the coming month we will be looking at God’s wisdom revealed in Proverbs and James. Read (many times), or commit to memory, Proverbs 1:2-7. Let these words direct your prayer for wisdom and a fresh new “Fear of the Lord.”
July-September: Continue growing in the spiritual discipline of simplicity. Begin thinking about how you can unclutter your thought life. Identify things you tend to worry about and ask God to give you peace and trust in Him. If this is a challenge for you, spend time reading and reflecting on Philippians 4:6-7.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: If you don’t have a good, modern English Bible of your own, look into getting one. On Sundays we use the (NIV) New International Version.
