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November 5, 2025

Focus

Heather Neal Bennett   |   Read Haggai 1:15 , Read Haggai 2:1-9

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Lectionary Week
November 3–9, 2025
Scripture Overview

The passages for this week remind us to stay focused. Without focusing, we become distracted and disoriented like the community in Second Thessalonians. In Haggai, the remnant have to be reminded that God has, is, and will be with them. In Luke, the Sadducees are refocused to see that God does not operate as humans understand. The psalmist reminds us what it looks like to be focused on God. The passages are reminders that God is always with us. God has given scripture, one another, and creation to learn from and experience God if we focus.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17. Spend a few minutes in silence, focusing on your inhalations and exhalations. Allow any distractions to enter one ear and exit the other; do not give them more awareness than that.
• Read Haggai 1:15b–2:9. Create a one-line drawing of what captures your attention. Begin at one point and do not lift your pencil until finished.
• Write down a list of questions you have for Jesus. Read Luke 20:27-38. How do you feel about your questions after reading Jesus’ response to the Sadducees?
• Read Psalm 98. Study creation this week from your window or in nature. How does creation praise God?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Haggai 1:15

15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Haggai 2:1-9

1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the LORD’s word came through Haggai the prophet: 2 Say to Judah’s governor Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and to the chief priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and to the rest of the people: 3 Who among you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it appear as nothing to you? 4 So now, be strong, Zerubbabel, says the LORD. Be strong, High Priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and be strong, all you people of the land, says the LORD. Work, for I am with you, says the LORD of heavenly forces. 5 As with our agreement when you came out of Egypt, my spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear. 6 This is what the LORD of heavenly forces says: In just a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land quake. 7 I will make all the nations quake. The wealth of all the nations will come. I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of heavenly forces. 8 The silver and the gold belong to me, says the LORD of heavenly forces. 9 This house will be more glorious than its predecessor, says the LORD of heavenly forces. I will provide prosperity in this place, says the LORD of heavenly forces.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Years ago, I pulled into my driveway behind a police car. A member of our church was a police officer and nothing looked amiss, so I was unconcerned. Then my husband, with my leashed dog, came out of the house and said in a serious tone, “Everything is okay.” I...

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God, you are always present in my life. Help me to be present in your presence. Amen.


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