BIG IDEA
“What does it look like to give God 100%?” This is the question we are asking and answering in this new sermon series. Most of us always want to give our best, but we may wonder what that looks like on a daily basis. Today we are going to discover that living excellently begins with God. It begins with pursuing excellence in our relationship with Him. As we pursue this excellence in our relationship with Him, we will find that God transforms our lives from the inside out.
BREAK THE ICE
What is something you consistently give your best, or 100%, to?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. How would you define excellence?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Malachi 1:6-9. Why was God disappointed with the people of Israel in these verses?
Malachi 1:6-9
6 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!
“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
7 “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’
“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 8 When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
9 “Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
3. Read Malachi 1:10-14. How did the Israelites’ actions show a lack of excellence?
Malachi 1:10-14
10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings. 11 But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. 13 You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.
14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!
4. Why, according to these verses, was it unacceptable for the Israelites to bring anything less than their best to God?
Application
1. When you think about excellence, do you think about that extending in your relationship with God? Why or why not?
2. What reasons does God deserve nothing less than our best?
3. Is there any way you have been holding back from God, not giving Him your best in your relationship with Him? What is that area? How can you start giving Him your very best, starting today?
MOVING FORWARD
If we want to live excellently, it starts with our relationship with God. Pick some way to pursue excellence in your relationship with God. Maybe that means spending extra time with Him; maybe it means sharing your faith with someone; maybe it means serving in the church. Let’s look at these for a moment:
· Maybe you commit as a group to do the daily devotions!
· It could be that you practice and use the bridge diagram.
· Perhaps you can pick an area in the church to serve and pick one step this week to get plugged in.
Whatever it is, tell your group and encourage each other as you seek to grow in this area.
Going Deeper
As we study the book of Malachi over the next few weeks, it will be helpful for us to have an in-depth look at this book of the Bible. A Bible commentary is one of the best ways to do this. Take some time now to read through Dr. Constable’s Expository (Bible Study) Notes on the book of Malachi, skimming through the first 17 pages and answering the following questions about Malachi. Don’t worry if that seems like a lot of reading. You do not need to read every single page. We have provided the page numbers for you to find the answers to each question so that you do not have to read each page. Write down your answers to the questions on a sheet of paper or the notes section on your phone, and then discuss your answers as a group when everyone has finished. If any of these questions are particularly challenging, don’t worry. When you come back together as a group, you will be able to discuss these questions as a group and work together on any of the questions that you may have found challenging!
1. Who wrote the book of Malachi? (See pages 1-2.)
2. Briefly describe the historical background behind the book of Malachi. (See pages 4-6.)
3. Where was the book of Malachi written? (See page 6.)
4. Briefly describe the audience and purpose of the book of Malachi. (See pages 6-7.)
5. What truth about God and theology did Malachi emphasize in this book of the Bible (See pages 7-8.)
6. Describe Malachi’s style of writing? (See pages 8-9.)
7. What three things did God reveal to the Jewish people through Malachi? (See pages 14-17.)
8. In your own words, summarize the message of the book of Malachi. (See page 17 for help.)
After discussing your answers to these questions, talk about what stands out to you about what you learned from reading this commentary. How has this in-depth look at Malachi helped you better understand God’s message through this book of the Bible? What is one takeaway that you will carry with you this next week from studying Malachi?
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
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