How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon:
background
Scripture consistently emphasizes that God is unchanging. In Malachi 3:6, God declares, “I the Lord do not change.” Yet this “divine immutability” stands in stark contrast to the constantly changing nature of his people, a reality we see played out in events surrounding Malachi’s ministry. After returning from exile and rebuilding the temple, Israel anticipated swift restoration and blessings. When these did not materialize, their discouragement grew, leading to compromise and self-deception. They maintained outward religious acts, but their hearts drifted from God.
God’s unchanging nature offers both warning and hope. It warns us that, because his holiness and justice remain constant, he will not overlook sin. But it is also a source of hope because his covenant faithfulness does not waver. He does not abandon his people. The call is clear: while God does not change, we must. Through a fear of the Lord and a commitment to community, God invites us to himself, promising an unchanging inheritance to those who fear him.
God’s unchanging nature offers both warning and hope. It warns us that, because his holiness and justice remain constant, he will not overlook sin. But it is also a source of hope because his covenant faithfulness does not waver. He does not abandon his people. The call is clear: while God does not change, we must. Through a fear of the Lord and a commitment to community, God invites us to himself, promising an unchanging inheritance to those who fear him.
OPEN
1. How do you typically respond when things don’t turn out as you expect?
REFLECT
2. Read Malachi 3:6-15. What does God mean by, “I do not change”? What can make this both comforting and unsettling?
3. When expectations are not met, the people become disheartened and discouraged. Instead of focusing on God's temple, they prioritize their personal interests. Why does disappointment frequently cause spiritual drift? How can unmet expectations impact one’s perception of God?
4. Read Malachi 3:16-18. What stands out about “those who fear the Lord” from others? What role did community play in their response?
3. When expectations are not met, the people become disheartened and discouraged. Instead of focusing on God's temple, they prioritize their personal interests. Why does disappointment frequently cause spiritual drift? How can unmet expectations impact one’s perception of God?
4. Read Malachi 3:16-18. What stands out about “those who fear the Lord” from others? What role did community play in their response?
APPLY
5. Why should God’s unchanging nature lead us to take sin seriously? What does it look like to live with reverence for his unchanging nature?
6. What are some ways people today can maintain religious appearances while compromising matters of faith? How can we identify and address this early?
7. Are there areas of your life where discouragement could be tempting you to drift spiritually? How could becoming more involved with the community of faith help you to draw closer to God?
6. What are some ways people today can maintain religious appearances while compromising matters of faith? How can we identify and address this early?
7. Are there areas of your life where discouragement could be tempting you to drift spiritually? How could becoming more involved with the community of faith help you to draw closer to God?
RESOURCES
If you are interested in joining a group next semester, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.