1. In what ways have you experienced the joy of the Lord over the past week?
2. What setbacks or delays have you been dealing with lately?
Ask two people to read aloud Ezra 4:12–5:2 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. In Ezra 4:1-11, the enemies of God’s people “set out to discourage” them and “make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans” (vv. 4-5). Finally, they wrote a letter (vv. 12-16 of our Scripture text) of accusation full of half-truths and lies against the Jews to the king in an attempt to stop the rebuilding of the temple. How does this background help you to understand what’s happening in our passage?
4. How would you describe the opposition and smear campaign these enemies of God’s people used against them?
5. What do you learn about human beings from our study text (Ezra 4:12–5:2)?
6. What do you learn about God?
7. Like the Israelites of Ezra’s time, we will face setbacks and delays in our lives and in the work we do for and with God. What can you learn from them about God’s timing, waiting on him, and trusting him in the process?
8. As Christ followers, we, like the Israelites, will meet with opposition from the world. Jesus told his disciples he was sending them out “like sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16; cf. vv. 17-42). Another time, he warned, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). In what ways do people struggle to follow and obey Jesus because of this?
9. While we will have trouble in this world as Jesus followers, Jesus encourages us to “take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). How can Jesus’ promises and encouragement (e.g., Matthew 10:26-32) help you to serve him boldly even when you face opposition?
10. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Ezra 7:6; 8:21-32; 10:1-6. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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