January 1 | Discovery

1. Where is “back home” (either physically or metaphysically) for you? 

2. As a new year begins, what new starts are you hoping for? 

Ask two people to read aloud Ezra 1:1-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to paraphrase the passage in as much detail as possible.  

3. What were God’s roles and what were the people’s roles in the Jewish exiles’ return to Jerusalem? 

4. Whose hearts did God move to action in this passage?  

• What is similar between these people and their responses to God, and what is different?  

5. God used a secular king to accomplish his will. Does this surprise you or do you find this to be normal in the way God works?  

6. What do you learn about God from this passage?  

7. What do you learn about yourself? 

8. What do you learn about obeying God, especially when he moves your heart to do something that’s part of his plan or mission?  

9. In the New Testament church, we, the body of Christ, are now “the house of the Lord”—God’s temple—where God’s Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21-22; Hebrews 3:5-6; etc.). How will that affect how you live in 2023? 

10. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .” 

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Ezra 6:13-22 as we continue the study, “It’s a New Start.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.