EZRA: The Return
Finding life in the Return back to God & His purpose.
Return to Me
April 10, 2022 • Sharon Noble • Ezra 10
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. God desires an unreserved and full relationship with Him. Where does your allegiance lie today? 2. Have you made compromises with the world that have lead you away from God and are affecting the people around you? 3. Is God calling you to RETURN to Him today? Our HOPE lies in a completely surrendered heart to God ALONE.
A Culture of Compromise
April 3, 2022 • Rick Francis • Ezra 9
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself.
Spiritual Leadership
March 27, 2022 • Ezra 8
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. What does success in life look like for me? How can I change the world? 2. How well do i know God’s Word? Why is it important to learn & live God’s Word? 3. What spiritual disciplines do I practice to learn God’s Word? 4. Where in my life have i seen the grace of God? Do I consistently give God credit for what He has done? 5. PRAYER: “Father, transform me through your Word so i can my world for good.”
Return to God's Word
March 20, 2022 • Ezra 7
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. What does success in life look like for me? How can I change the world? 2. How well do i know God’s Word? Why is it important to learn & live God’s Word? 3. What spiritual disciplines do I practice to learn God’s Word? 4. Where in my life have i seen the grace of God? Do I consistently give God credit for what He has done? 5. PRAYER: “Father, transform me through your Word so i can my world for good.”
Becoming A Finisher
March 13, 2022 • Ezra 6
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. Who is the most diligent person I know? 2. Where is God asking me to be more diligent? 3. What new starting point is God putting before me? 4. Is God asking me to leave something “unfinished?" 5. PRAYER: “Father, help me to become the finisher you are calling me to be.”
Back to Building
February 27, 2022 • Ezra 5, 1 Corinthians 14:3
We all have a calling to build something with God, but sometimes we get so discouraged we quit. Thankfully, God puts men and women into our lives to encourage us to get back to building! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. Have I ever been so discouraged I thought about quitting? What brought me back? 2. What are the names of my biggest encouragers? How does Scripture encourage me? 3. What are the names of 10 people i haven’t seen lately that may need my encouragement? 4. What would a church filled with Biblical encouragers feel like? How can I be part of the move forward? 5. PRAYER: “Father, help me to get back to building by building up others.”
Persevering through the Pain
February 20, 2022 • Ezra 4
The Israelites faced opposition in rebuilding the Temple. We, too, will have internal and external threats to our commitment to the purposes of God. Even Jesus warns us that "in this world, we will have trouble." Where has the work stopped? CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. What is the greatest threat to Christianity, as I see it, in the world today? 2. Where has a relationship threatened the work of God through a slow erosion of Christian definitions & values? 3. Where am I afraid, discouraged, or facing a bully? What work is stopped or being threatened? 4. Where have I been unfairly assaulted by accusations because of misunderstanding of my faith? 5. PRAYER: “Father, build strength in us as as we persevere through the trails & temptations of this life.”
The Flip Side
February 13, 2022 • Pete Campbell • Ezra 3
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for QUESTIONS | THOUGHTS to GROW through with family, friends & myself: 1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message? 2. Is there something I can do today that will allow me to make Obedience an opportunity? 3. In what ways have I dwelled in the past that have kept me from experiencing God today? 4. Have you experienced the sense of being an exile in your day-to-day life? Why or why not? 5 How can this season be greater than before?
Return to God's Purposes
February 6, 2022 • Psalm 33:11, Ezra 1, Ezra 2, Romans 8:28
As we look around our world, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us and we are alone in trying to follow Him. But there will always be a remnant of people who have been stirred by God to return to Him, the community life he has called us to, and to His purposes! CLICK MORE for Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. In my own journey with God, how have others been prompted to give or to serve God’s purposes in me? 2.c Have I ever felt called to go somewhere or to do something to advance the purposes of God in others? 3. How do I respond to God when he stirs my heart? What are the resources he’s placed in my life to further His Kingdom? 4. What are some of the specifics about how God is asking me to “be poured out?” What is the next step for me? 5. PRAYER: “Father, help me to respond to your stirrings so that you can pour out goodness all over my family, neighborhood, church, & world.”