The Prophet Malachi
(Malachi)
August 9th, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
The book of Malachi reveals how people who have experienced God's miraculous works can quickly turn away from following Him. God had delivered His people from captivity and helped them restore Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. And yet, shortly after their promise to obey the Lord’s commands, they were living in a way that was displeasing to Him. Complacency and corruption had replaced faithfulness to God’s Word.
Malachi told the people they were offering blemished sacrifices. He revealed how their leaders—particularly the priests—were leading the people astray. Malachi also told the people they had dishonored God in their marriages in two ways: First, they married women of foreign descent who worshiped other gods. Secondly, men were divorcing their wives for unjust reasons that were selfish—treating marriage as if it were disposable.
Despite the unfaithfulness of God's people, God again remained faithful. In Malachi 3, God told them that He had not destroyed them because they are His people. He called them to return to Him. He promised that if they returned to Him, He would return to them. God invited them to repent and return to Him just as He did time and time again throughout the Old Testament.
As Malachi urged the people to return to God, he also foretold the coming Messiah—Jesus. Malachi spoke of the sun of righteousness who would bring healing—a picture of Jesus as the light of the world who would bring redemption. Specifically in Malachi 3, God shared His plan to send a messenger who would clear the way for the Messiah. In His sovereignty, God fulfilled this prophecy through the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, as one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight" (Luke 3:4).
The book of Malachi serves to remind us of the dangers of growing apathetic in our walk with the Lord. Help kids see how Malachi also reminds us that when we do fall short, God is faithful and ready to restore us when we turn back to Him. Through Jesus, we see God's grace and mercy to redeem and restore all who trust in Him.
***Next Week: The Old Testament Points to Jesus (Luke 1; John 1)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read the book of Malachi from the Bible.
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The Pony Express was a special mail service that started in 1860 to carry important letters across the United States. Riders on horseback would travel through difficult terrain, including deserts, mountains, and forests, often battling harsh weather and dangerous animals. Each rider would travel 75 to 100 miles before passing the letter to the next rider. For people on the West Coast, the Pony Express was critical for them to get important messages.
When God wanted to deliver important messages to His people, He chose prophets like Malachi. Malachi told the people to get ready because God would judge people for their sin. This was the last message from God to His people as they waited for the promised Messiah, and for the messenger who would prepare the way for Him.
Thankfully, God’s message of judgment also came with hope. God was going to send a Savior, His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for sin and save all who trust in Him. This message of good news has been passed from one generation to the next, and now we can continue to pass along the message.
Malachi told the people to turn away from sin as they looked forward to the promised Messiah. Years later, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus—the Messiah. Jesus brought a message of repentance and salvation.
Pray: God, thank You for loving us enough to speak to us and give us Your message of hope. Help us to love Your Word and learn what it says about Jesus as the Messiah. We want to know Him and be prepared for the day when He comes again. Amen.
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Preschool:
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah.”John 20:31
1st-5th:
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him.” John 20:31 NiRV
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Mornings
Thank God for His Word. Choose a verse from Psalms or Malachi to read. Pray for God to help you understand His message in that verse. How does God’s Word help us know Him and His plan for our lives?
Evenings
Ask God to forgive the ways you sinned and fell short of His glory today. Ask Him to remind you of His grace in Jesus. How does it feel to know that God does not count sin against those who trust in Jesus?
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For Fun
Malachi spoke of God’s unchanging love and faithfulness. Create a journal or scrapbook for your family to record the ways you see God’s love and faithfulness to you. Each day this week, have a family member write or draw one thing they’ve experienced where they saw God’s faithfulness in their lives—whether in everyday blessings, answered prayers, or moments of peace.
To Serve
The book of Malachi talks a lot about offerings to God. Talk as a family about the act of worship through giving. Encourage kids to give an offering at church or to think of how they can make giving a more regular practice in their lives.