Video Bible Study by David E. Pratte

"They Will Look on Me Whom They Pierced" ============================ Zechariah 12-14 predicts God's blessings on spiritual Israel, the kingdom of the Messiah in the gospel age. God will give His people, the church, victory over their spiritual enemies. The people will pierce (crucify) the One sent from God but will then mourn over Him as for an only son. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

They Weighed for My Wages Thirty Pieces of Silver ================================= Zechariah predicts the rejection of the Messiah by the leaders of the nation of Israel. Specifically he predicts the very price that would be paid for Jesus' betrayal. This would lead God to reject those leaders and the people as a nation, symbolized by breaking the staffs Beauty and Bonds. Zechariah then begins predictions of God's care for spiritual Jerusalem, the church, in the Messianic age. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

"I Took for Myself Two Staffs ... Beauty and ... Bonds" ================================= Zechariah predicted the destruction of the nation because it will Reject the Messiah. God will reject the shepherds of Israel for misleading and mistreating the people. Two staffs, Beauty and Bonds, symbolized the blessings and unity of Israel and Judah, but both would be broken. The price paid for the shepherd symbolizes the people’s rejection of the Messiah and the destruction of the nation. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Their Heart Shall Rejoice in the Lord ======================= God would have mercy on people of both Judah and Israel, so they would return from captivity. He would redeem them so they would be like they had been before He cast them off. He would strengthen them and they would walk in His name, but those enemies who had abused them would be brought down. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

“Not Pleasing Men, but God” ================== When conflict exists between what God wants and what people want, what choice should we make? What about obeying government when civil rulers require us to disobey the Bible? Or what about family members or business employers or even church leaders or members who expect us to do what is sinful? This material is available as a free Bible study article here: https://gospelway.com/christianlife/pleasing-men.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Lord of Hosts Will Defend Them ======================= God promised to protect His people in their conflict with spiritual enemies. God cares for His people like a shepherd for His flock and values them like jewels in His crown. But those who heed false teachers are like sheep without a shepherd. God assures His people of spiritual victory and prosperity. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Behold, Your King Is Coming! =================== Zechariah predicted the coming of Zion’s King. This was fulfilled in Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. He would come riding on a donkey, a sign of humility showing He would not be an earthly king like the Jews expected. He would be a spiritual king over His spiritual kingdom, the church under the New Covenant. He would save and protect His people and defeat their enemies. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

These are the things you shall do ====================== God taught the people He would bless them if they would obey Him as their ancestors had failed to do. They must speak truth. practice justice, plan no evil against others, and avoid false oaths. Then they could rejoice in a true relationship with God. However, God would punish the nations around Judah for their sins. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

I Will Save You, and You Shall Be a Blessing =========================== God promised to restore His relationship with the people and dwell in their midst. He would be their God and they would be His people. His promises looked forward to the Messianic kingdom under the gospel in fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham. The remnant of God's people would receive these blessings. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

When People Act Like Caterpillars ====================== Some caterpillars blindly follow one another in procession. Do religious people often do the same? Do denominations blindly follow church traditions and manmade doctrines? Do members blindly follow seminary-trained preachers? Do people assume "all these people can't be wrong"? Are you and I "Caterpillar Christians"? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Individual Responsibility in Salvation; Free Moral Agency ==================================== Is each individual personally responsible to choose to accept salvation? Are we free moral agents? What about inherited depravity and infant baptism? Are we righteous because we have godly family members or because we are members of a faithful local church? What about Identity Politics, Critical Race Theory, and the "Me To" movement? Free Bible Study Article at https://gospelway.com/salvation/individual_responsibility.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

They Shrugged Their Shoulders and Stopped Their Ears =================================== God commanded the people of Judah to practice justice and show mercy to those who were unfortunate. But they disobeyed repeatedly, so God sent them into captivity. They expressed their grief by establishing special days of fasting. Can we compensate for failing to do what God says by doing things He never said to do? Do people sometimes make the same mistakes today? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

A Priest on His Throne ============== Zechariah prophesied that the Man called the Branch (Jesus) would be a priest on His throne: king and priest at the same time. He would build His temple and rule on His throne to offer true peace. Is Jesus now a priest in His temple? Is He a king over His kingdom, or will He not reign as King till He returns as taught by many premillennialists? If He is not King now, what are the consequences for our salvation? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Behold, the Man Whose Name Is the Branch! ============================ Who is the "Branch" that Zechariah prophesied? What would He do? What is the significance of a priest wearing a crown and sitting on a throne? What would He build? Was this permitted under the Law of Moses? What can we learn about the gospel and our own salvation? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

This Is Wickedness! ============ As Zechariah continued describing visions he had seen from God, he pictured symbolically that God will not accept sin among His people. Stealing and false testimony must be punished. Wickedness of all kinds must be far away from those who serve God. Are we tolerating sin in our lives or have we put it away? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord ===================================== Having returned from captivity, the people faced opposition in rebuilding the temple. God promised the governor Zerubbabel that he could lead the people to finish the work if they would trust in God instead of human strength. We should not despise things that seem small and unimpressive in the eyes of the world but should use what God provides to please Him. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Fellowship with Error: Encouragement, Support, Acceptance ===================================== Fellowship is sharing or being part of an activity. Is it possible to be guilty of a wrong act even if we do not actually commit the act? What about encouragement or tempting others to sin? Is it wrong to support, assist, or cooperate with those who do evil acts? What if we defend, protect, or justify those who sin? What does the Bible say? This material may be read as an article at https://gospelway.com/christianlife/fellowship-error.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

I Am Bringing Forth My Servant the Branch ========================== When the people were restored from captivity and the temple was being rebuilt, God cleansed and restored the priesthood. This symbolized the coming of the Branch (Jesus) who would be King and Priest of the New Testament temple, the church. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Many Nations in that Day Shall Become My People ============================== God inspired Zechariah to urge the people to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem. God would bring destruction on their enemies. People from many nations would go to Jerusalem and become God's people. When was this fulfilled, and what lessons should we learn? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Isaac Newton Illustrated Evidence for God's Existence ================================= How can we demonstrate the existence of God to those who doubt or disbelieve? Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists in history, used a model of the solar system to show that the Creator of the universe must exist. You can also read this material as an article here https://gospelway.com/invitations/newton.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

God Will Cast Down Enemies of His People ========================== Zechariah's visions describe the return of His people from Babylonian captivity. Instead of punishment, He will now comfort them. But the enemies that mistreated them will be punished. Those who harm God's people may appear to prosper and live in peace, but God will not allow them to continue without punishment. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Does God Know and Care about Our Lives? ========================== Zechariah prophesied to God's people who returned from Babylonian captivity. His visions and prophecies urged people to obey God and predicted the coming reign of the Messiah. Is God aware of our problems? Can we hide our sins? Does He care about His people and will He punish the evils that surround us in society? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Jesus as Creator and Preserver of the Universe ============================ Only God could create the heavens and the earth, but the Bible says Jesus did it! What does this tell us about who Jesus is? What does His role as Creator tell about His power and wisdom? What authority does He possess? What is His relation to the Father and to us as creatures? Is He a created being or is He eternal? This study is available as an article here: https://gospelway.com/god/jesus-creator.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Lessons Learned from the Book of Haggai ========================= God's people should focus on spiritual service to God as our top priority. We should heed God’s instructions and correct our lives where needed. Leaders and followers must work together in God’s work. And God's spiritual temple today is the church. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Significance of Spiritual Uncleanness and of Zerubbabel's Signet Ring ========================================== What lessons should we learn about spiritual uncleanness from God's displeasure with the Jews for failing to rebuild the temple? What are the consequences in our lives if we are spiritually unclean because of sin? What was a signet ring, and what does God's promise to Zerubbabel mean about Christ, the gospel, and the church? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; https://gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture