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Lesson Summary:

Zechariah receives a delegation from Bethel and explains God’s definition of true religion.

Focus Passage: Zechariah 7

Outline and Lesson Goal

Principles and Applications

I. False Religion Exposed (Zechariah 7:1-7)

Principle: God Prefers Obedience from the Heart over Religious Activities.
Application: What religious activities are you performing today so you can check them off your list?
Scripture Reference

Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
I Samuel 15:22 (NASB)

II. True Religion Encouraged (Zechariah 7:8-10)

Principle: God Desires True Religion over Trite Ritualism.
Application: How is your life demonstrating that you have an authentic relationship with the Lord that leads you to do the right thing and to pursue justice?
Scripture Reference

²⁵But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
²⁶If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
²⁷Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:25-27 (NASB)

III. Consequences of Disobedience Declared (Zechariah 7:11-14)

Principle: God’s People Show their Love for Him Through Obedience.
Application: What consequences have you faced for rejecting and disobeying the word of the Lord?
Scripture Reference

²³Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
²⁴He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 14:23-24 (NASB)