In this sixth session of the seven-part Salvation History Bible Study, our founder, Curtis Martin, and Dr. Edward Sri, theologian and Senior Vice President of Apostolic Outreach at FOCUS, are joined by special guest Dr. Scott Hahn, professor of Biblical Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. If you’ve just joined us, make sure to check out sessions 1–6 before you continue.
- Session 6 Overview: Exile and the Return with Ezra and Nehemiah
- What Will You Learn In This Bible Study?
- Discussion Questions
- What’s Next?
- Additional Resources
Session 6 Overview: Exile and the Return with Ezra and Nehemiah
The session opens with a question: How does one live in a pagan world? And how do you live when the people around you don’t follow the same God or lifestyle?
Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri aim to discuss that very question as we look at the Israelites’ exile to Babylon and eventual return to Jerusalem under the leadership of figures like Ezra and Nehemiah. Their discussion emphasizes the hope that God would bring them back to the land to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
This journey through biblical history not only reflects on the challenges faced by the Israelites but also draws parallels to our modern-day struggles of maintaining faith in a seemingly indifferent world.
What Will You Learn In This Bible Study?
Key Highlights from the Discussion:
- Division and decline of the kingdom: An analysis on how internal corruption and idolatry led to the split and downfall of the House of Israel under Solomon and his successors.
- Exile and hope: An exploration of the significance of the Israelite exile to Babylon and their prophesied return as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah.
- Prophetic insights: Further discussion of prophecies from Daniel, focusing on the visions of the four beasts and the timeline leading up to the Messiah.
- Reflections from Dr. Scott Hahn: The shift from a monarchy to a priestly theocracy during Ezra and Nehemiah’s time and its significance to Salvation History.
- The role of the Messiah: A preview of how the subsequent sessions will tie the Old Testament prophecies and historical events to the New Testament revelations, focusing on the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
Join Curtis Martin, Dr. Edward Sri, and Dr. Scott Hahn in the Book of Ezra, Chapters 3 – 8, and Nehemiah, Chapters 2 – 6, to deepen our understanding of how these historical and prophetic events lead to the coming of Christ.
Enjoying this Salvation History Bible study series? Why not start a Bible study for your family, friends, and/or community? We’ve got the prep you’ll need as a leader in our guide on how to lead a transformative Bible study.
Discussion Questions
Session Six: Ezra and Nehemiah
Small Group Discussion Guide
Ezra 3–8, Nehemiah 2–6
Discussion Questions:
- Who is Rehoboam? What sin did he commit upon becoming king, and what effect did it have?
- What happened in the Northern Kingdom of Israel after it broke from Judah and the Temple?
- Who are Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel? How did each of them contribute to the rebuilding?
- What is the meaning of the prophecies in Daniel 7 & 9? What do these prophecies tell us about the future of the kingdom?
- We’ve now covered most of the narrative books of the Old Testament. How did your understanding of the Old Testament change or grow since beginning this study?
Download Discussion Questions — PDF
What’s Next in The Salvation History Bible Study Series?
Join us for the last session of this seven-part series. We’ll connect prophecies to their New Testament fulfillment, deepening our understanding of God’s salvation plan. As we wrap up this series, don’t worry! Look to the additional resources below to continue learning and studying the Living Word.
Additional Resources
For more from this session’s special guest, listen to Dr. Scott Hahn’s keynote from SEEK19 on answering the question, “Is Jesus really God?”
For deeper learning on discipleship, head over to FOCUS Equip to discover more resources like these Catholic Bible study guides.
You can also check out our podcast with talks from our SEEK conference and visit our YouTube page for videos like Dr. Edward Sri’s keynote from SEEK24.
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