September 20

Memphis

Pastor Wil Franco

Discussion Questions

1. In Ezra 3:10-13, we are told that the young men shouted for joy and the older men wept in sadness. Yet God does not rebuke either group. Why is it so important for us to remember that God is okay with both seasons of gratitude and grief? In the gospel, how do we balance being honest about our pain while still being hopeful about His promises?

2. In the Gospel of John, we learn that the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, and that He came to be the greater temple. If the glory of God now lives in a person and not a place, then how does that reality change the way we view going to church versus being the church?

3. In 2 Corinthians 8, we learn that Jesus, though He was spiritually rich, became spiritually poor so that through him we might become spiritually rich. What is the difference between giving that starts with a religious percentage and giving that starts with God's redemptive grace? Which one describes your giving right now?

4. In 2 Corinthians 9, we are told that God loves a cheerful giver, and yet our cheerfulness, or lack thereof, does not negate our obedience in giving. How do we hold both internal cheerfulness and external obedience together when it comes to giving generously?

5. The book of Ezra ends with Ezra naming the sin, confessing it, and weeping over it, but he cannot cure it. Where in your life right now are you trying to be your own Ezra by naming your problem, managing your problem, and even weeping over it, instead of bringing it to Jesus?

Reading Plan

Day 1 : Ezra 1-2

Day 2 : Ezra 3-4

Day 3 : Ezra 5-6

Day 4 : Ezra 7-8

Day 5 : Ezra 9-10

Day 6 : Catch up/Rest day

Day 7 : Catch up/Rest day