“Putting First Things First”

Bible Study Notes | June 17th, 2026

Putting First Things First 

Theme: Making God the Highest Priority in Our Lives 

Key Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15 

Memory Verse Matthew 6:33 (KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 

 

Introduction 

Every day God gives us another opportunity to invest our lives in something that matters. Time is one resource that cannot be replaced. Once a day has passed, it is gone forever. 

The people in Haggai’s day had returned from exile with excitement and a desire to honor God. They began rebuilding the Temple, but when difficulties came, they stopped. Instead, they focused on building comfortable lives for themselves while God’s house remained unfinished. 

Although they never denied God, they slowly allowed other priorities to replace Him. 

This lesson reminds believers that it is possible to love God with our lips while neglecting Him with our lives. God calls His people to examine their priorities and return Him to first place. 

 

Lesson Objectives 

By the end of this lesson you should be able to: 

  • Understand why God desires first place in our lives. 
  • Recognize signs of misplaced priorities. 
  • Learn the blessings that come from putting God first. 
  • Evaluate your own spiritual priorities. 

 

Part I 

God Knows When Our Priorities Have Changed 

Scripture 

Haggai 1:2-6 

The people had convinced themselves that it simply “wasn’t the right time” to rebuild God’s Temple. 

Meanwhile… 

  • They built beautiful homes. 
  • They worked hard. 
  • They earned money. 
  • They stayed busy. 

Yet God’s work remained unfinished. 

God exposed the real problem: 

It wasn’t a lack of time. 

It wasn’t a lack of money. 

It was a lack of priority. 

Whenever something continually gets pushed aside, it reveals where it ranks in our hearts. 

Life Application 

Today’s Temple is not a building. 

Believers are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

Putting God’s house first means placing Him at the center of every area of life. 

 

Questions and Answers 

  1. Why had the people stopped rebuilding the Temple?

Answer: They allowed fear, opposition, and personal interests to become greater priorities than God’s work. 

 

  1. What excuse did the people give?

Answer: “The time has not come.” 

They believed conditions were not right, but God revealed that they had simply chosen other priorities. 

 

  1. What modern excuses do believers sometimes make?

Answer: 

Examples include: 

  • I’m too busy. 
  • I’ll serve God after retirement. 
  • I’ll give when I make more money. 
  • I’ll become more involved later. 

 

Part II 

Misplaced Priorities Produce Empty Results 

Scripture 

Haggai 1:6, 9-11 

God described their lives with powerful images. 

They: 

  • Sowed much but harvested little. 
  • Ate but never had enough. 
  • Drank but remained thirsty. 
  • Earned wages only to lose them. 

Their efforts produced frustration because they were seeking blessings without honoring the One who gives blessings. 

God reminded them that He had withheld prosperity because His house had been neglected. 

Many people today work harder than ever but still feel empty because success without God never satisfies the soul. 

 

Questions and Answers 

  1. Why were the people’s efforts unsuccessful?

Answer: Because God was trying to get their attention and redirect their priorities. 

 

  1. What does it mean to earn wages “to put into a bag with holes”?

Answer: Working hard without lasting satisfaction or fulfillment because God is not first. 

 

  1. Can material success satisfy the heart?

Answer: No. 

Only a relationship with God brings lasting peace and fulfillment. 

 

Part III 

Consider Your Ways 

Scripture 

Haggai 1:5,7 

Twice God says, 

“Consider your ways.” 

God wanted His people to stop living on autopilot. 

Sometimes we become so busy making a living that we forget why we’re living. 

Every believer should periodically examine his or her priorities. 

Ask yourself: 

  • How do I spend my time? 
  • Where does my money go? 
  • What occupies my thoughts? 
  • What are my goals? 
  • Am I building God’s Kingdom or only my own? 

Godly self-examination leads to spiritual renewal. 

 

Questions and Answers 

  1. What does “consider your ways” mean?

Answer: To honestly examine our lives in light of God’s Word. 

 

  1. Why is self-examination important?

Answer: Because priorities naturally drift if we do not intentionally keep God first. 

 

  1. What areas should every believer regularly evaluate?

Answer: 

  • Time 
  • Finances 
  • Goals 
  • Relationships 
  • Worship 
  • Service 
  • Spiritual growth 

 

Part IV 

Obedience Brings God’s Presence 

Scripture 

Haggai 1:12-15 

One of the most encouraging parts of Haggai is what happened next. 

The leaders listened. 

The people obeyed. 

They returned to God’s work. 

Immediately God gave them this wonderful promise: 

“I am with you, saith the Lord.” 

God’s greatest blessing is not wealth. 

It is His presence. 

When God is with us: 

  • We have strength. 
  • We have peace. 
  • We have direction. 
  • We have hope. 

God’s work moved forward because His people responded in obedience. 

 

Questions and Answers 

  1. How did the people respond to God’s message?

Answer: They feared the Lord, obeyed His voice, and resumed rebuilding the Temple. 

 

  1. What promise did Godimmediatelygive them? 

Answer: “I am with you.” 

 

  1. Why is God’s presence the greatest blessing?

Answer: Because His presence brings peace, guidance, strength, and assurance that He is working in our lives. 

 

Key Lessons 

  • God deserves first place—not leftovers. 
  • Excuses often reveal misplaced priorities. 
  • Busyness is not the same as faithfulness. 
  • God blesses obedience. 
  • God’s greatest gift is His presence. 

 

Personal Reflection 

Take a few moments to answer these questions honestly. 

  1. What area of my life has taken God’s place? 
  1. What excuses have I been making for not putting Him first? 
  1. What practical change can I make this week to honor God more fully? 
  1. How can I invest more of my time, talents, and resources into God’s Kingdom? 
  1. What does “seeking first the Kingdom of God” look like in my everyday life? 

 

Closing Thought 

Stephen Covey shared the illustration of filling a jar with large rocks, gravel, sand, and water. The lesson was simple: if you don’t put the big rocks in first, they’ll never fit. 

The same principle applies spiritually. If God is not first, everything else will compete for His place. But when God becomes our highest priority, every other area of life begins to fall into its proper place. 

 

Closing Prayer 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have allowed careers, finances, responsibilities, or personal desires to take Your place in our lives. Help us to examine our hearts honestly and make You our highest priority. Give us the courage to obey Your Word, the wisdom to order our lives according to Your will, and the joy of experiencing Your presence each day. May our lives bring glory to You as we seek first Your Kingdom above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.