IBC Richmond

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?