Time for Bloodwork | Zephaniah 3:1–8

Ice Breaker

Twisted Lyrics:
Like a hearing aid that isn’t working well, sometimes we don’t hear things correctly. Is there a song you’ve sung along with on the radio, only to later discover you had the lyrics wrong? What song was it? What did you think the lyrics were?

Or

Share a food that you resisted for years because you were convinced you wouldn’t like it—only to discover later that you actually enjoy it.

Scripture Reading

Read Zephaniah 3:1–8 together.

Listen with ears to hear and make the passage personal.
As you read, mark words or phrases that:

• Stand out to you

• Are repeated

• Are emphasized

• Grab your attention

What is your primary takeaway from this passage?

Discussion Questions

After predicting the destruction of the surrounding nations, Zephaniah returns to the problem at hand—sin. God’s own people had become “defiled,” living just as sinfully as their pagan neighbors.

He begins this passage with the word “Woe.” How might God be trying to get your attention today?

What is happening in your life right now that God may be using to draw your attention to His truth and to Himself?

How might you be resisting God’s pull on your life instead of submitting to His leadership in obedience?

How is God leading you to take a step of obedience and growth?

What is one next step you can take this week toward spiritual maturity and investing in the lives of others?

How have you seen Jesus bring restoration to broken areas of your life?

How have you experienced Christ’s fulfillment and faithfulness in these ways?

• The Righteous King (Isaiah 9:7)

• The Just Judge (Acts 17:31)

• The Faithful Prophet (Hebrews 1:1–2)

• The Final High Priest (Hebrews 7:26–27)

What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? (Hebrews 7:26–27)

How does that truth change your daily perspective?

Where do you find it difficult to extend grace to others?

Where are you searching for fulfillment, identity, or value that can only be found in Jesus?

Are you carrying guilt from sin or failure that you need to confess and allow God to free you from?

Proximity to Jesus and His Word brings intimacy.

• What habits or spiritual disciplines help keep you close to Jesus?
• What habits or disciplines might you need to begin—or change—to draw nearer to Him?

Prayer Prompts

• Confess any pride that has led you to reject God’s counsel through His Spirit, His Word, or godly advice.

• Ask God to turn up your spiritual hearing aids—to open your ears and heart to His wisdom.

• Ask Him to humble you.

• Ask for courage to take steps of faith and walk in obedience.

• Ask God where He is leading you and how He might use you to influence others for His glory.

• Spend a few moments reflecting on Jesus as your Righteous King, Just Judge, Faithful Prophet, and High Priest.

• Thank Him for His faithfulness in your life.