Malachi - 8 Sessions
The book of Malachi, the final voice of prophecy before the New Testament, speaks with clarity and conviction to a people who had grown spiritually complacent. Written around 430 B.C., Malachi addresses the Israelites after their return from exile, when the temple had been rebuilt but hearts had grown cold. Through a series of rhetorical questions and divine declarations, God reminds His people of His unwavering love and calls them back to sincere worship and covenant faithfulness.
Series Study Notes — Series Discussion Handouts
Session 1: God Speaks Again — Malachi 1:1
Session 2: Loved by God — Malachi 1:2-5
Session 3: Revering God's Name — Malachi 1:6-14
Session 4: God's Covenant and Our Calling — Malachi 2:1-9
Session 5: Faithfulness in Relationships — Malachi 2:10-16
Session 6: The God Who Judges and Refines — Malachi 2:17-3:5
Session 7: Returning with Open Hands — Malachi 3:6-1
Session 8: God Remembers the Faithful — Malachi 3:13-18
Session 9: The Great Day of the Lord — Malachi 4:1-6
Session 10: The Consistency of God — Malachi 3:6; 4:2; James 1:17
Bible Study Class — Malachi: A Faithful God in a Forgetful World
learning to praising God with our renewed love
As Charles Swindoll notes, “Malachi is a wake-up call to a nation that had forgotten the greatness of their God and the seriousness of their calling.” It’s not just a historical document—it’s a mirror for our own spiritual lives.
Five Subjects of Interest
God’s Unchanging Love: “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed” (Malachi 3:6).
Reverence in Worship: The people offered blemished sacrifices, revealing a heart problem more than a ritual one.
Faithfulness in Relationships: Malachi speaks against broken covenants, especially in marriage and community.
Stewardship and Generosity: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven” (Malachi 3:10).
Hope in God’s Justice: A coming day of the Lord is promised, when righteousness will be vindicated.
Timeless Wisdom for Today
Though written centuries ago, Malachi’s message is strikingly modern. It speaks to a world that often forgets God amid routine and distraction. As preacher Chuck Smith observed, “Malachi reminds us that religion without relationship is empty—and God desires our hearts, not just our habits.” The book challenges us to examine our motives, renew our reverence, and rekindle our hope.
Practical Applications in Christian Living
Malachi invites us to live with integrity, generosity, and expectation. It encourages believers to:
Honor God in everyday choices
Cultivate faithfulness in family and fellowship
Give joyfully and trust God’s provision
Speak often of the Lord and encourage one another (Malachi 3:16)
Live with anticipation of Christ’s return
These principles are not burdens—they are blessings that shape a life of purpose and peace.
Why This Book Matters
Malachi is more than a bridge to the New Testament—it’s a bold reminder that God is faithful even when we forget. It calls us to return, to remember, and to rejoice. For senior believers, it offers a rich opportunity to reflect on God’s enduring promises and to pass on a legacy of faith to the next generation.
As historian J. Alec Motyer wrote, “Malachi’s message is not about condemnation—it’s about invitation. God invites His people to come back to Him, and He promises to meet them with grace.”
(This series has been used in class)
After the 70 year exile the Israelites had been back in the land for more than a hundred years and were looking for the blessings they expected to receive when they returned. Though the temple had been rebuilt, the fervor of those early returning Israelites gave way to a thorough apathy for the things of God. This led to rampant corruption among the priesthood and a spiritual lethargy among the people. This study should help us hear God's voice to a people who have lost interest in a life of service to God.
— Download full series: Editable Word Doc — Printable PDF
1
- Malachi, following God with consistency
2 - Israel
is Exposed as Suspicious - Malachi 1:1-5 - Wakeup Call #1
3
- The Problem, Not Honoring God Properly - Malachi 1:6-2:9 -
Wakeup Call #2
4 - Broken Covenant, No Integrity - Malachi
2:1-16 - Wakeup Call #3
5 - Injustice and Corruption -
Malachi 2:17-3:5 - Wakeup Call #4
6 - God Confronts
Selfishness - Malachi 3:6-12 - Wakeup Call #5
7 - Thinking
it's Pointless to Serve God - Malachi 3:13-18 - Wakeup Call #6
8
- Learning to deal with Silence - Malachi 4 (wrap-up and time
between Old & New Testament)