Week 44 • Empty Rituals  (Zechariah 7:1-14)

Memory Verse: Hosea 6:6

In each reading assignment look for a . . .

Sin to Confess • Promise to Claim • Attitude to Change • Command to Obey • Example to Follow

Personal Study Notes:

Psalm 65

Psalm 66

Psalm 67

Psalm 68

Zachariah 7

Accountability Question

  • Did everyone read all five assignments?

  • What application points did you find?

Group Participation

  • Where are we on our ministry project?

  • Have someone take requests and lead prayer.

  • Have someone tell the story or paraphrase.

  • Have someone read the Bible passage.

  • Have someone facilitate the Bible study using the weekly discussion questions.

Weekly Discussion Questions  

  • What prompted the men of Bethel to ask the priests and prophets about fasting (7:3)?

  • What does the request reveal about the spiritual state of the community during the rebuilding of the temple?

  • How does the historical significance of Bethel inform our understanding of this passage (7:2)? 

  • How does the Lord’s question in 7:5-6 challenge the motivations behind religious practices today?

  • How can we ensure our worship is sincere and not just a ritualistic habit?

  • What four specific actions does the Lord command in 7:9-10 to replace empty rituals?

  • How do these commands to act with justice and mercy relate to our, "worship" of God today?

  • How can we apply these principles of social justice in our communities? 

  • What does it mean to turn a, "stubborn shoulder" to God's instructions (7:11)?

  • What is the consequence of refusing to listen, as described in 7:13-14?

Prayer: Pray for each other that we not lose sight of why we do what we do in our worship and service.  Pray that we not embrace symbolism that has no substance.