Refocus and Carry On

SUMMARY & KEY POINTS:

Haggai’s call to rebuild the temple is a fitting parallel for the church today. His message to Israel was about refocusing on God and setting aside personal priorities to honor Him. Just as God called the Israelites, He calls His church today to live with purpose, holiness, and authenticity as His dwelling place.

Examine Priorities and Spiritual Focus (Haggai 1:5,7): Just as the Israelites were instructed to “give careful thought to your ways,” we too should assess what takes priority in our lives. God challenges His people to prioritize His presence and mission over personal interests, calling us to consider where our time, energy, and resources are truly directed.

God’s Call to Rebuild (Haggai 1:8): Haggai's message to Israel was to rebuild the temple, symbolizing God's presence among His people. For us today, it’s a call to “rebuild” our devotion, commitment to the church, and spiritual discipline so that our lives reflect God’s glory and make His presence known in our communities.

God’s Discipline as an Act of Love (Haggai 1:6, 9-11): The Israelites faced material shortages as God allowed their self-focused pursuits to fall short, encouraging them to recognize their need for Him. This reminds us

that God sometimes allows challenges to help refocus us on Him, a loving form of discipline that seeks to restore our relationship with Him.

The Empowerment of Obedience (Haggai 1:12-15): When the people of Israel obeyed, God reassured them, saying, “I am with you.” Our obedience leads to spiritual renewal, with God promising His presence and empowering us through the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purpose.

QUESTIONS:

What are some common priorities that tend to occupy time, energy, and resources, and how might we re-center these to reflect a focus on God?

How might God be calling His people to “rebuild” areas of faith and involvement within the church to better reflect His presence and purposes?

Have you experienced times when challenges or setbacks made you re-evaluate your focus on God? How might God be using these moments to lovingly guide you back to Him?

How can our church, and you personally, take steps to be more outward-focused and impact the surrounding community, reflecting God’s love and truth?