First things First - A study of the life of prophet Haggai

Text: Haggai : Chap 1 , 2

Memory Verses : Haggai (1:7-8; 2:7-9)

 (Ch 1:7-8) " 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.   8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD."                   (Ch 2:8-9)" 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts."

INTRODUCTION

Haggai ministered during the reign of King Darius 1 of Persia(521-486B.c). Prophet Haggai's name first appeared in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 in association with the rebuilding of the temple. He was part of the first return of the Jews from Babylon to their homeland under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 538B.c, and he ministered along with Zechariah to the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem. God called Haggai to encourage the people to see that God had a significant purpose for the new temple as we will see in (Chap 2:3-9). 

The man HAGGAI

•      Spoke to a people whose spiritual lives were in decline because they had misplaced their PRIORITIES. Haggai encouraged the people to consider their ways, to take action and to take heart. 
•      Haggai's subject of discussion is that the Jewish remnant must adjust its PRIORITIES from material to spiritual by honoring God first. He told the people that they needed to reorder their priorities by not getting overly concerned with their own comfort than with their spiritual well-being. 
•  Haggai called them to inform them that God had actually increased their hardship to get their attention, and that they were to look to God, not to themselves, to meet their needs. He shared with them that if they sought HIM first and honored him by finishing the temple, God will bless them and provide for their material needs.

CHAPTER 1

1.      What was God's desire regarding the temple? 

2.      When did the people begin the work on the house of the Lord?

CHAPTER 2

1.      How did the people view the temple? 

2.      With what would God fill the temple? 

3.      Why was the work that the people were doing not good in God's eyes? 

4.      How did God try to turn His people back to Him? 

5.      What did God ask them to consider when the temple was being rebuilt?

Life application question

How can we accomplish the most important things in life? 

Conclusion:

God's timeless truth never changes. The fundamental issues are always understanding of and obedience to what God has revealed in scripture. We live by them and the land experiences peace, harmony and prosperity. We violate them, and the land is struck with a curse. The book of Haggai provides a strong message of redirection and refocusing on FIRST things FIRST, when we have lost sight of that which brings confidence and hope because of spiritual lethargy. It is the key to living life as a God intended. We pray for the impartation of the Holy spirit to shed light on areas of neglect that need new focus.

Let us READ IT! MEDITATE on IT! and LIVE IT!!!

Bible Study Manual prepared by Pastor Steve Soyebo