Free group study handout
Haggai 1: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Haggai 1 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
In the second year of Darius, Haggai delivers God's message to Zerubbabel and Joshua, urging them to address the neglected house of Yahweh (vv. 1-2). The people claim that it is not the right time to build, prompting Haggai to challenge them about their priorities (vv.
Key verse
“This is what Yahweh of Armies says: These people say, ‘The time hasn’t yet come, the time for Yahweh’s house to be built.’”
Haggai 1:2 (WEB)
Outline
- Haggai 1:1–2 God's Message to the Leaders
- Haggai 1:3–5 Call to Reflect on Priorities
- Haggai 1:6–9 Consequences of Neglect
- Haggai 1:10–11 Divine Judgment Announced
- Haggai 1:12–14 People Respond and Obey
- Haggai 1:15 Beginning of the Work
Discussion questions
- In v2, what do the people say about the timing for building 'Yahweh's house'?
- What does Yahweh say about the people's priorities in v4?
- In v9, why does Yahweh say He 'blew it away'?
- What does 'Consider your ways' in v5 imply about the people's actions?
- When has your focus on 'paneled houses' distracted you from spiritual priorities?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Haggai 1: Ecclesiastes 11, Haggai 2, Deuteronomy 16.
Before next time: read Haggai 2.