D.     Unfaithful people (2:10-16)

Argument:

God: “I will no longer accept people’s offerings.”

Man: “Why?”

1.        Faithfulness to each other because of the same Father (2:10)

2.        Sin of marrying pagan woman (2:11-12)

 a.      Judah has desecrated the sanctuary of the Lord

 b.      God was displeased with their marriage

3.        Sin of divorce (2:13-16)

 a.      God is the witness of marriage

 b.      Godly marriage brings up godly descendants

 c.      God hates divorce and abuse

4.        Q&A

 a.      Why is our relationship with men a reflection of the relationship between man and God (2:10)?

 b.      Why does God consider marrying gentiles as faithless, abomination, and a profanation of God’s sanctuary (2:11)?

 c.      Why didn’t God accept the offering of His people (2:13-14)?

 d.      Why does God hate divorce (2:15-16)?

E.  The Lord is coming to purify and judge (2:17-3:6)

Argument:

God: “You have wearied Me.”

Man: “In what way have we wearied the Lord?”

1.        To know God deeper is essential to building a good relationship with Him (2:17)

2.        God is coming like fire and soap (3:1- 2)

3.        God will accept sacrifice after purification

4.        Q&A

 a.       How can we know ourselves from God’s view (2:17)

 b.      How is God going to purify His chosen ones before His coming?

 c.      Why is suffering necessary before our offering can be accepted?

F.  Call for repentance and return (3:7-12)

Argument:

God: “Return to Me and I will return to You!”

Man: “In what way shall we return?”

1.        The relationship with God is interactive (3:7)

2.        The consequence of not offering tithe (3:8-9)

3.        The blessing of offering tithe (3:10, 12)

4.        Q&A

 a.      What should we do if we feel God is remote from us?

 b.      What motivates us to offer tithe?

 c.      Besides prayer, what should we do to experience more blessings from the Lord?

G.     God will discern the righteous from the wicked (3:13-18)

Argument:

God: “Your words have been harsh against Me.”

Man: “What have we spoken against You?”

1.        Man did not feel the presence of God’s justice (3:13-15)

2.        God’s justice will eventually be done (3:16-18)

 a.      God will remember the godly (3:16)

 b.      God will spare the godly (3:17)

 c.      God will separate the godly (3:18)

3.        Q&A

 a.      Why do so many feel that God is not just (Ps 73:1-16)?

 b.      How can we convince people that God is just (Ps 73:17-28)?

H.    The great day of God (4:1-6)

1.        The wicked will perish (4:1)

2.        The godly will be blessed (4:2-3)

3.        Be faithful to God’s commands (4:4)

4.        The Mediator will come (4:5-6)

5.        Q&A

 a.      What is the difference between the godly and the wicked at the Lord’s Day?

 b.      Why is keeping the law so important in the last days?

 c.      Who is Elijah in the last day?

IV.              Question & Answer