Take Courage – Leader Kit: A Study of Haggai

Do you ever feel like the happy ending of your story is a million miles away? Then you know how the Jewish people felt when they returned to their wrecked land after exile and began rebuilding the temple. They were distracted, discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel. But the prophet Haggai reminded them they could find courage in the God who had never left them. Sometimes the landscapes of our lives feel wrecked, with our hope and purpose in shambles. We too get distracted and discouraged. However, God’s presence and promises give us courage to press on and trust Him with our story. In this 7-session study on the Book of Haggai, learn to walk confidently in your calling, stay motivated despite opposition, and courageously invest your life in God’s purposes, trusting Him for results you may never see in this lifetime. Leader Kit includes: One Bible study book with personal study segments to complete between 7 weeks of group sessions and leader helps to lead discussion within small groups DVDs with enriching teaching videos, approximately 25 minutes per session Card with 3 additional digital downloads of teaching videos Benefits: Defeat discouragement through God’s presence, people, and Word. See beyond your current circumstances to a future hope. Learn to trust God more than your feelings. Video Sessions: Session 1: Haggai through Four Kings (25:39)— In the first teaching video, Jennifer introduces us to the Book of Haggai and uses four kings to set the context for the study. Session 2: Until Exile Ends (30:28)— In Session 2, Jennifer talks about how all of us have experienced exile of some kind. She then discusses some of the purposes of exile and how we can not only survive, but thrive during times of exile. Session 3: How to Deal with Samaritans (32:52)— The Jews who were trying to rebuild the temple faced opposition from enemies. In Session 3, Jennifer makes clear that people aren’t our enemies, but that our real enemy, Satan, can use people to hinder our relationship and work for God. Session 4: When Courage Leads to Discouragement (24:42)— Jennifer turns our attention to Jeremiah in the Session 4 video to show us how even doing the right thing can lead to discouragement. But she reminds us that no matter what we’re facing, we can always take courage because we are created, consecrated, and called by God. Session 5: Your Courage Confessions (27:28)— In the Session 5 video, Jennifer tells the story of Anna to show that what may seem like the most discouraging of circumstances can turn out to be the very thing God will use to bless you and help you know Him more deeply. Session 6: Grounded by the Weight of Glory (30:14)— In the Session 6 video, Jennifer tells the story of Isaiah seeing the Lord to remind us that in uncertain and discouraging moments of our lives God may reveal His glory to us like never seen before. And in those moments, we can take courage as God shows us who we are in light of who He is to cleanse and consecrate us for service. Session 7: Courageous Living 101 (28:51)— Jennifer wraps up the study in the Session 7 video by sharing the four “I cans” of a courageous woman. She gives a final invitation for us to take courage, exhorting us to live alert, stand firm, be courageous, and be strong.