Icebreaker
Share a time when you struggled to understand God’s will for a specific situation in your life. How did you navigate that decision?
Background
The book of Zechariah was written to the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian exile. Around 520–518 BC, they were in the process of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed decades earlier.
In the early chapters (Zechariah 1–6), God gives Zechariah a series of night visions meant to encourage the people:
- God had not forgotten them.
- He would restore Jerusalem.
- The temple would be completed.
- There would be future hope for peace and righteousness.
Even though the people were rebuilding the temple physically, God was also calling them to rebuild their hearts spiritually.
“Should we keep fasting like we’ve done for 70 years?”
God uses that question to challenge their motives and call them to authentic justice, mercy, and faithfulness, rather than empty religious tradition.
Dig In
Read Zechariah 7:1-4
What prompted the people to send a delegation to ask about fasting? Why now?
What might this question about fasting suggest about their spiritual focus or concerns?
Read Zechariah 7:5-7
What is the Lord trying to expose with His questions?
What are some of the challenges when evaluating your motives for doing things?
Why does God remind the people what he previously spoke through the prophets?
Read Zechariah 7:8-10
How does God respond to their Yes/No question?
Why might God provide them a specific list of a few key things to do/not do?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
What is Paul trying to address in this passage?
What is Paul’s motivation at the end of the chapter?
Discussion
The sermon mentions the Israelites asking about fasting. Why do you think God responded by talking about showing compassion and making fair decisions instead?
How can we discern between living for our own purposes versus living for God’s purposes in our daily lives?
Discuss the statement: “If you desire the favor of God, then seek the purposes of God in everything you do.” What challenges might we face in trying to live this out?
Does anyone recall the three guiding questions for decision-making? What are they?
- What does God’s word say generally?
- What does the Holy Spirit say specifically?
- What did Jesus model regularly?
How might using these questions change the way you approach decisions?
Reflect on the description of Jesus having a “tender heart and a tough hide.” In what situations do you find it challenging to balance tenderness and toughness in your own life?
How does the prophecy about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey challenge our expectations of what a powerful leader should look like?
Questions for Personal Reflection
These questions are intended to be read aloud to the group, but not necessarily for group discussion.
What motivates you to do what you do?
Are you glorifying God in what you do?
What distracts you from living out His purposes?
Like the Israelites, is there any area in your life where you have turned a “stubborn shoulder” or become “hard-hearted”?
God uses a question to challenge their motives and call them to authentic justice, mercy, and faithfulness, rather than empty religious tradition. Is He calling you to do the same?