The following are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the message presented on June 2, 2013.
Enough is Enough
Malachi 1:6-14
How should God be worshiped?
1) Worship God with honor 1:6-8
· 2 Sam. 12:10; Pro. 14:2; 1 Sam. 2:27-31
· Lev. 22:19-22; Deut. 15:21
2) Worship God with reverent fear 1:9-10
· Is. 1:11-15
3) Worship God with pure offerings 1:11-14
God deserves 100% of our best preparation
and worship to honor Him.
· I honor God when I start to prepare for worship on Monday.
· Godly preparation focuses my attention on heaven, rather than on problems.
· My offerings to God must be pure and holy. Heb. 10:19-25
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When and what were you taught about giving to God?
Digging Deeper:
2) Read Leviticus 22:17-24. What is God’s standard for an offering (cf. 22:21)? _______________ What were God’s expectations regarding the sacrifices?
3) What did God expect from Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-35)? ______________ Who did Eli favor according to God? What promise did God make?
4) Read Psalm 51:16-17. What does God desire? _____________ What does this passage and the previous questions say about God’s desire for our heart related to sacrifices?
5) Does Hebrews 10:19-27 give room for casual preparation and worship? ___________ How or in what way?
Making application of the message to life:
6) How well prepared do you need to be for Sunday worship? What kinds of things should be considered throughout the week?
7) How would you disciple a brand new Christian on how to prepare for worship?
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When and what were you taught about giving to God?
a) When I was a boy in elementary school, my mother gave me a bank and as I saved, she also told me I needed to give part of it to church, to God.
b) I remember learning I was told to give 10%, but I don’t think I applied that very well.
c) I didn’t learn about grace-giving until I was in my early twenties.
Digging Deeper:
2) Read Leviticus 22:17-24. What is God’s standard for an offering (cf. 22:21)? __perfect__ What were God’s expectations regarding the sacrifices?
a) God expected Israel to understand the sacrificial system
b) God expected Israel to understand why they were to offer a perfect offering
c) God expected the one who made the offering to do it willingly and not grudgingly.
d) God expected that any imperfect offering would not be given. He would not accept them.
e) A handicapped animal could be offered as a free will offering, but not as a vow.
f) God would not accept an offering of an animal that was damaged in some way.
g) Offerings were a foreshadow of Christ’s perfection to come.
3) What did God expect from Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-35)? _respect and honor__ Who did Eli favor according to God? What promise did God make?
a) Eli favored his sons, because while he told them the right things to do, he did not insist or ensure that they did the right things. Eli was more concerned about his relationship with his sons than he was with his relationship with God.
b) God said that there would be no old man in Eli’s house, that is, he and his sons would die leaving no heir.
4) Read Psalm 51:16-17. What does God desire? _a broken heart__ What does this passage and the previous questions say about God’s desire for our heart related to sacrifices?
a) God desires sacrifices, but not as much as a broken and contrite heart.
b) God does despise some sacrifices (Is. 1:11-15), but God will not despise a broken heart.
5) Does Hebrews 10:19-27 give room for casual preparation and worship? _no, we are to enter with boldness, but not casual, because it is by the blood of Jesus_ How or in what way?
a) We are to enter by the blood of Jesus. That is a big deal. He did what we couldn’t do (Eph. 1:7).
b) It is a new and living way, what we could not do. Now we can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4)
c) We are to enter by a true heart, by faith. We are to continue to walk by faith (Col. 2: 6)
d) We accept that we had an evil conscience, but we have been transformed. We should walk in a manner that is worthy of what He has done for us (Col. 1:10).
e) We need to exhort each other to press forward (Phil. 3:13)
f) If we become complacent, we miss out and become hardened in the downward spiral and enter the sin unto death (Eph. 4:17-19; 1 John 5:16; Jam. 5:19-20)
Making application of the message to life:
6) How well prepared do you need to be for Sunday worship? What kinds of things should be considered throughout the week?
a) It is the highlight of the week for believers. It is an expression of my heart in love for Him.
b) I need to consider my time in preparation, treasures in giving, use of talents, encouragement of my tongue and rest for my temple (my body).
c) I should start on Monday to prepare by quiet times and considering God-sightings throughout the week. I should lay out my clothes Saturday night and ensure that no controversial topics are discussed on Sunday morning. I should consider entering worship with praise and a heart full of anticipation of giving to Him full glory.
7) How would you disciple a brand new Christian on how to prepare for worship?
a) Demonstrate by my life what is important.
b) Guide into Scripture to understand God’s attributes and why He is worthy of worship.
c) Give an example of what he would do to prepare for a job interview or meeting someone he thinks is important. Ask him to multiply that 100 times and apply that to approaching God in worship.
d) Ask him to consider many areas of life, like time, rest, work, mind, heart, friends, fellowship, spiritual disciplines, clothes, schedule and arrival time.
e) Ask him to participate in one of the service opportunities before, during or after the service.
I. Indifference to God’s love 1
A. The Lord’s love declared 1:1-5
B. The Lord’s love despised 1:6-14
II. Indifference to God’s law 2
A. The priest’s violation of the law 2:1-9
B. The people’s violation of home laws 2:10-17
III. Indifference to God’s message 3
A. The coming judgment 3:1-6
B. The current judgment 3:7-15
C. The circle of faith 3:16-18
IV. Indifference to the Day of the Lord
Shepherding Truth 