**DIGGING IN**

*a weekly MAKE ROOM devotional*

The video is a response to the sermon and devotional by elder Allan Bjerkaas. Toward the end of each week, a Bethel church leader will share their personal thoughts.

*WEEK TWO*

**Sermon Series Description:**
“The temple wasn’t just a building. It was where God said he would meet with his people. It was his reach of love into the lives of people as well as a way to proclaim the glory of God and extend the reach of God to the nations. So when the temple was destroyed and God’s people were taken away as exiles, something had to be done. God orchestrated the release of his people from captivity so they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. They began the work as God commanded them to, but over time “life” happened, resistance arose, and the mission was set aside. Enter the prophet Haggai. He was sent by God to help the people refocus and make room for God’s mission in their generation. Haggai points ahead to Jesus – the ultimate temple – the ultimate meeting place between God and sinners. In this series, we’ll see that today the mission of Christ is extended through us, the Church; we are his temple. As we make room for others, Christ’s mission advances in our generation as well!”

**TEXT:** Haggai 1:12-15 & Zechariah 4:1-10

**FOCUS:** Mission Power

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Re-read the text and use the following DIGGING IN guide to reflect on the message from Sunday. Use this individually, as a couple, family or group.

**1.** Read Haggai 1:12-15 & Zechariah 4:1-10

**2.** In Haggai 1:12 we see the response of God’s people to the “voice of the Lord”. What does this scripture passage reveal about the influence of God’s Word?

**3.** What connection do you see between the response of the people described in Haggai 1 and how God’s Word is described in Hebrews 4:12?

**4.** The power for mission came in the words or promise “I am with you” (Haggai 1:3) and “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 1:6).

> How are God’s promises different than the ones we make to each other?

> What makes God’s promises more than confident statements about what may or may not turn out to be true?

**5.** How might the truth that God is with you encourage you in Christian witness today?

**6.** Respond to this quote from Pastor Dave’s message: "Jesus! He is the INCREDIBLE PROMISE that makes a seemingly IMPROBABLE people like us face a seemingly IMPOSSIBLE mission like ours."

**7.** Thinking back on the Etch-A-Sketch illustration. What in your life do you want God to “shake” (erase) and re-draw?

**8** How is God leading you to Make Room for him and his mission in your life and in our church?

**PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR...**

> ...the mission of Christ to grow in our hearts so that we Make Room in our lives and make a difference in the lives of our “neighbors” who need Jesus.

> ...a gospel-motivated, mission-fueled generosity in each of us that funds the Make Room project in Battle Lake, Boudamasa, and Fergus Falls (creating space for our neighbors locally, regionally, and internationally).

> ...God’s protection of our church’s unity and mission commitment to advance the mission of Christ in our generation.