Malachi: I Love & Don't Change

So often we can doubt God's love or take it for granted. God is love. All that God says and does is in love, and He does not change. Do we embrace God's definition of love or do we try to change it? God tells us clearly through Malachi, I Love & Don't Change. #malachi #2020

Starter

Under what circumstances do you tend to doubt God's love? OR take it for granted?

Pray

Lord we pray that you would teach us about your love, that we would believe you over our feelings and opinions, we would not doubt that you are love, and we would not take you for granted. May we embrace your definition of love knowing that you say, I love & Don't Change.

Study Questions

"How Have You Loved Us?"

The book of Malachi reads like a text or social media conversation. As we start our study of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, God's people have seen God continue to love them, discipline them, and explain to them who He is and what is love.

READ Malachi 1:1-2a

1. After all that His people Israel have done throughout the Old Testament, God still starts His final book to them saying, "I HAVE LOVED YOU." How can that encourage us?
1. God's people ask him, "HOW HAVE YOU LOVED US?" What does that question expose about their hearts?
1. How is this conversation the same we tend to have in relationships today? Discuss Why?
1. In the book of Malachi God is going to make His definition of LOVE clear. How does God's definition of LOVE differ often from ours?

READ Malachi 1:2b-3, Genesis 25:21-34, Genesis 27:1, 26-41

1. God uses the relationship between Esau and Jacob as a clarification of His LOVE. God says, He LOVED Jacob and hated Esau. The word for hate here in the hebrew implies choices. It is similar to us saying today that God LOVES the sinner but hates the sin, which means he hates the sinner because of their sin. How might God's LOVE often seem like hate and His hatred of sin often seem LOVING?
1. Issac and Rebekkah were told by God before the boys were born that Jacob (the youngest) was to be the heir and leader over Esau (the oldest). How do you think Esau came to think the birthright and blessing was his? How do we see messed up family dynamics like this today?
1. How did Esau earn the right to be hated for His heart and actions?
1. All through the Old Testament and even in the final book, God is still reaching out to Esau's decedents warning them and asking them to submit and repent. What does this tell us about His LOVE?
1. Discuss the difference between what Jacob is seeking and what Esau is seeking?