What would you identify as the main theme(s) of the book of Zechariah?

 

Zechariah’s hearers would have been Israelites, who had arrived back from exile in Jerusalem 20 years prior, and who were struggling to rebuild their lives, and rebuild the temple.  How would this book have served to comfort and bless people in that situation?  How would it have served to confront and challenge them?

 

How do we see the gospel of Jesus on display in Zechariah 3?  What spiritual and theological realities are communicated by that dream, and by the details in it?

 

In Zechariah 7-8, a group of people come and ask Zechariah when God’s will is going to be actualized.  (They appear to be losing patience.)  Where in your life do you find yourself losing patience with God?  What things do you find it difficult to trust God with, and to wait on?

 

Zechariah 12:10 is a vivid picture of how a Christian is to exhibit real sorrow over their sin.  And how an appropriate response to sin is deep mourning and bitter weeping.  How do you feel about sin in your life?  Sorrowful?  Indifferent?  Something else entirely?  What can we be doing to take sin more seriously in our lives?

 

In what ways is Jesus like a:
-prophet?
-priest?
-king?
-shepherd?

 

Several chapters in this book (2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14) describe the kingdom that God is establishing - how it will be beautiful, and glorious, and enjoyable.  How does a healthy vision of (and anticipation of) eternity with God help us to live well in this life?

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