March 29, 2020: Need for Just Leaders (Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5, 6)

To begin the session:

Before class begins, place in chairs copies of the “Fair Representation” puzzle from the activity page, which you can download here. Your early arrivers can begin work on this before class begins. If time allows, discuss at conclusion of the class.

Make a transition by asking, “When a leader of God’s people falls short of what the responsibility requires, is it usually through simple negligence or intentional misconduct?” After brief whole-class discussion, say, “Let’s see what today’s lesson from Malachi has to say about the distinction and about God’s standards, as the prophet describes the conduct of the Judean priesthood of the late fifth century BC.”

To encourage personal application:

Distribute copies of the “My Priesthood” exercise from the activity page as a takehome for further self-evaluation.