IBC Richmond

Application Questions:

How did Ezra respond to the known sin of other? What did he do privately? What did he do publicly? Does this inform the way a Christian responds to sin within the church or within society?

How does this story help you think about the seriousness of sin and the life-change of repentance?

What factor does rain play in this story? Is it a sign of judgment or cleansing? What do you surmise the people’s disposition was toward standing in the rain?

What is the purpose in preserving the names of those found guilty of intermarriage? How do you deal with the memory of past sin?

How did Israel break the Law by intermarriage? What this an ethnic issue or a spiritual issue? How does the Bible teach Christians to view interracial marriages?

What type of prayer does Ezra pray? Is it a model for your prayer life?

Where is the redemption in Ezra’s prayer? How should you exercise this in your own prayer life?

Ezra’s prayer never asks God for anything. What point is a prayer without a request?

Application Questions:

What is fasting? What was Ezra's purpose in fasting (Ezra 8:21-23)?

How is fasting associated with prayer? What personal need compels you to schedule time for fasting and prayer?

What danger did Ezra and his companions anticipate on their journey? Is God’s plan for you safe? How can risk-taking reveal the Christian faith to unbelievers?

How did the journey end? What principles about wisdom and faith can be applied to your life plans?

Application Questions:

1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt like God had withdrawn from you?
What do you think the cause of that feeling might have been?

2. When was the last time you were desperate for the Lord’s attention? Why do you think
Jesus ignored the Canaanite mother at first? Ever felt like God was ignoring you?

3. How did the disciple’s attitude toward the mother’s persistence differ from that of the Lord? What was Jesus saying in His first response? What was the mother’s response?

4. Does Jesus’ second response seem harsh? Do you think that Jesus already knew what was in her heart? What was the purpose of His seemingly uncaring remark? How did she
respond? How would you describe her as a mother?

5. When God tests you with a delayed response or an undesired response, how would the Lord describe your level of faith? What kind of faith are you showing during our current situation?

Application Questions:

What do you learn about family relationships and friendships from Ezra 8:1-20? What relational values do you miss during the COVID-19 pandemic and long to see restored?

What does God’s blessing look like to a Christian? Is it the same as God’s blessing on Ezra? How do you discern and enjoy God’s blessings in your life?

Why did Levites matter to Ezra’s journey? What principles can be learned about strength in numbers and team-based ministry?

How did God provide Ezra’s need? Define discretion. How can you give or receive discretion as a gift?

Read Artaxerxes’ entire letter (Ezra 7:12-26). What surprising ways does God work behind the scenes to accomplish his will?

Why did King Artaxerxes act favorably toward Ezra and the Jews? What insight can you learn from this as a citizen of a secular government?

Where does courage come from in the Christian life? Do you need courage? Where did Ezra find the courage to lead?

What type of team ministry does Ezra use? What are the benefits of working together to ministry?

Application Questions:

What credibility did Ezra have to lead? Where did his authority rest?

How well do you know the Bible? What influence does the Bible have in your day-to-day living?

Do you have a biblical mentor like Ezra? Does your biblical mentor know you personally? How often do you learn from them?

What does it mean that “the good hand of his God was on him" (Ezra 7:6, 9)? How is God’s hand evident in your life?

Application Questions:

What difference does dying with Christ make to your sense of identity?

Must Christians be 100% certain of their salvation to act on Romans 6:5-10?

Is sin avoidable as a Christian? What repetitive sins have you tolerated for too long?

If you are alive to God, what desires, goals, and convictions guide your new life in Christ?

Was the temple necessary for the Passover celebration? Why wait?

Who could participate in Passover? What two steps were required? Are these requirements represented in receiving the Gospel today?

What did the renewed Passover celebration signify for the repatriated exiles?

What gave people joy in the Passover? What should a Christian do if they don’t feel joyful in God’s work?