Read Psalm 84.1-11 slowly, perhaps pausing between each verse: the psalmist is praising God for his faithfulness. You may like to lead the group in looking back over their past and inviting them to thank God for his faithfulness to them in specific circumstances.

You may like to sing Great is thy faithfulness or Faithful One or any other song/hymn that picks up this theme. If you are not confident about singing you could always read the words of a song/hymn: often that can be just as good.

We do not know very much about the prophet Malachi but we think he was around just before Ezra and Nehemiah came to Jerusalem. We do know that this was a time when God's people were disillusioned, life was hard, they were surrounded by hostile enemies, they suffered drought and famine. They were doubting God's faithfulness and justice. Malachi's message urged them to look at themselves.

Read Malachi 3.6-12

vv6-7: How have God's people been unfaithful to God?
In what ways can we express faithfulness/unfaithfulness to God?

vv8-9: Why does Malachi use the concept of 'robbing God'?
In what sense do you believe that your money belongs to God?
How should we decide what to do with our money?

vv10-12: A tithe is traditionally seen as a tenth.
What three things does God say will happen if they are faithful to his commands?
What can we do individually and as a church to express our dependence on God?
Looking again at the three things above, how would they apply to us as individuals and as a church?

Considering also that God has given us time, talents and treasure, in what ways could the group practice the 'grace of giving' amongst friends and family?

PS Please remind the group to return their response forms to the church by 18 February.