CONSIDER YOUR WAYS: THE TEMPLE GOD WANTS TO BUILD
Message from Chris Pollard
OVERVIEW
This week, we learned from Haggai 1 that God told His people to “consider your ways.” That means God wanted them to stop, think, and look at what was most important in their lives.
The people had been taking care of their own houses, but God’s house was still not finished. God wanted them to remember what He had asked them to build.
Chris taught that God is not only looking at buildings. God cares about people. If we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we are called the temple of the Holy Spirit.
That means our lives belong to God. He wants to build good things in us. He wants our hearts, our thoughts, our words, and our choices to honor Him.
We also learned that the church is in a late hour. This means Jesus is coming again, and it is very important to wake up, obey God, and not wait until later. God wants His people to be ready, listening, and following Him.
God is still building His people. He wants us to listen, obey, and let Him make us more like Jesus.
📖 MEMORY VERSE
“Consider your ways!” — Haggai 1:5
BIG WORDS
• Consider = to stop and think carefully
• Temple = a place where God lives
• Holy Spirit = God’s Spirit living in believers
• Obey = to do what God says
• Comfort = only wanting things to be easy
• Compromise = choosing part of God’s way instead of all of God’s way
• Distraction = something that pulls our attention away from God
• Deception = believing something that is not true
• Delay = waiting to obey when God has already spoken
SECTION 1 — CONSIDER YOUR WAYS
BIG IDEA
God wants us to stop and think about what is most important.
READ
Haggai 1:2–8
TALK ABOUT IT
- What were the people saying about building the Lord’s house?
- What question did God ask His people in Haggai 1:4?
- What does “consider your ways” mean?
- What did God tell the people to go get from the mountains?
- Why did God want them to build His house?
THINK ABOUT IT
- What is something God wants me to think about in my life?
- Have I ever waited to obey when I knew what was right?
- What can I do this week to put God first?
Further Scripture Reading
Psalm 139:23–24, Lamentations 3:40
SECTION 2 — GOD IS BUILDING PEOPLE
BIG IDEA
God is not just building buildings. God is building people.
READ
1 Corinthians 6:19–20, 1 Corinthians 3:9, John 2:19–21
TALK ABOUT IT
- What does 1 Corinthians 6:19 say our body is?
- Who lives in believers?
- Who do our lives belong to?
- What does 1 Corinthians 3:9 call God’s people?
- How is God building something good inside His people?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Does my life show that I belong to God?
- What is one thing God may want to build stronger in me?
- How can I honor God with my words, choices, and actions?
Further Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:21–22, 1 Peter 2:4–5
SECTION 3 — WAKE UP IN THE LATE HOUR
BIG IDEA
Jesus is coming again, so God wants His people to wake up, listen, and obey Him.
READ
Romans 13:11–14, Galatians 5:13, Haggai 1:14
TALK ABOUT IT
- What does Romans 13:11 say it is time to do?
- What does Romans 13:12 say to put away?
- What does Romans 13:12 say to put on?
- What does Galatians 5:13 say God has called us to?
- What did God stir up in His people in Haggai 1:14?
THINK ABOUT IT
• Am I listening when God is trying to get my attention?
• What is one way I can wake up spiritually and follow Jesus more closely?
• Is there something I need to stop doing because it pulls me away from God?
• How can I live ready for Jesus to come again?
Further Scripture Reading
Ephesians 5:14–17, Matthew 25:1–13
SECTION 4 — DISTRACTION, DECEPTION, AND DELAY
BIG IDEA
The enemy wants to pull us away from God, but God helps us obey Him.
READ
Romans 12:1–2, Galatians 5:7–8, James 1:22–25
TALK ABOUT IT
- What does Romans 12:1 say to give to God?
- What does Romans 12:2 say not to be shaped by?
- How does God change the way we think?
- In Galatians 5:7, what question does Paul ask?
- What does James 1:22 say we should do with God’s Word?
THINK ABOUT IT
• What distractions can pull my attention away from Jesus?
• Have I ever believed something that was not true because I did not check God’s Word?
• Is there something God wants me to obey right away?
Further Scripture Reading
Hebrews 2:1, Matthew 7:24–27
SECTION 5 — LET GOD TRANSFORM YOU
BIG IDEA
God changes us when His truth is in our hearts, our minds are renewed, and we follow the Holy Spirit.
READ
Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:16–25, Philippians 1:6
TALK ABOUT IT
- What does Romans 12:2 say changes us?
- What does Galatians 5:16 tell us to walk by?
- What fruit should grow in people who follow the Holy Spirit?
- What does Philippians 1:6 say God will finish?
- How can God help us become more like Jesus?
THINK ABOUT IT
• What truth from God’s Word do I need to remember this week?
• Am I letting God change the way I think?
• What fruit of the Spirit do I want to grow stronger in my life?
Further Scripture Reading
John 15:4–5, Colossians 3:1–10
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
God is still building His people.
You do not have to be a grown-up for God to work in your life. If you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you. You belong to God, and He wants to build good things in your heart.
God wants you to consider your ways. That means He wants you to stop, listen, think, and obey Him.
Jesus is coming again, so do not wait until later to follow Him. Do not let distractions pull you away from God. Do not believe lies when God has given you His truth.
The hour is late, but God is still working. He started a good work in you, and He will keep building as you trust Him and obey His Word.
✏️ ACTIVITY — GOD IS BUILDING IN ME
Draw a picture of a house or temple. Inside it, write or draw three things God wants to build in your life. (Examples: Obedience, Love, Truth, Courage, Prayer, Kindness, Listening to God)