Scripture Reading: Zechariah 7:8-14
Memory Verse: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
Introduction:
A minister recently related a true story about events that occurred after a local service held by a Christian evangelist. The evangelist had spoken about his ministry and about teenagers who were turning from Satan’s world of rock and roll to Christian rock. The audience accoladed this news with shouts of “Amen!” and “Hallelujah.” When the audience filed out of the auditorium and into the streets, they were greeted by one lone man who was preaching on the sidewalk.
The man beseeched the brethren who were walking past to become holy as Christ was holy. He cried to them to examine their lives and turn from any sin they were harboring in their hearts. No one shouted “Amen!” in response to this. People went out of their way to avoid him or went by mocking his preaching. They made comments about him saying he was a fanatic, perhaps even a lunatic.
This one man was like a modern-day John the Baptist, calling out for repentance within the church. The people never heard. They may have received Christ as their personal Savior, but their hearts were hardened—they were harder than stone.
Lesson Questions:
- What was the difference between the testimony of the evangelist and preaching of the man on the street? Matthew 13:14-15.
- What word did the Lord give the prophet Zechariah to speak unto the people? Zechariah 7:8-10.
- Did the people listen? Zechariah 7:11-12. What was the end result? Zechariah 7:13-14.
- What warnings are we given about this same situation? Proverbs 28:14; Hebrews 3:13-19.
- How does hardness of heart develop? Ecclesiastes 8:11; Proverbs 16:18; Ezekiel 33:31; James 4:3.
- How does God know our motivations? Proverbs 21:1-4; 24:12; Jeremiah 17:10; Hosea 7:2; Romans 8:27.
- Can we trust our own hearts? Proverbs 20:9; 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-22.
- If we don’t repent of all our hard ways, what will happen? Proverbs 29:1; Ezekiel 11:21; Romans 2:5.
- Who can take the hardness from our hearts? Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:26-28; Philippians 4:7.