The books of Ezra-Nehemiah tell the remarkable story of God bringing His people home from exile in Babylon to rebuild what had been ruined. This story follows three faithful leaders, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, who are directed by Persian kings to lead the people back to Jerusalem. Against fierce opposition, the altar is restored, the temple is rebuilt, and the walls of Jerusalem stand once again, but even after all that hard work, the story ends with a surprising ache. Something is still unfinished. The people’s hearts remain unchanged, their obedience falters, and the long-awaited restoration never fully arrives. We hope you join us as we trace the faith, courage, opposition, and perseverance of God’s people. We will be reminded that outward rebuilding can never replace the deeper work only God can do within us. The exile’s story of return points forward to our story: we don’t just need rebuilt walls, we need renewed hearts. Only Jesus can complete the restoration we truly long for. Until that takes place, the work remains unfinished.
Discussion Questions
Ezra-Nehemiah
March 6th, 2026
On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson concluded the book of Ezra with chapter 10, the difficult resolution to the intermarriage crisis. The chapter opens with Shecaniah rising to encourage Ezra: "Yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this... Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act." Pastor Russell highlighted this as a model of how leaders s...
Ezra-Nehemiah
March 6th, 2026
On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson continued through Ezra, exploring chapter 9 and the crisis that confronted Ezra upon his arrival in Jerusalem. The leaders reported devastating news: "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands"—they had intermarried with pagan nations. Pastor Russell emphasized this was not racial prejudice but...
Ezra-Nehemiah
February 22nd, 2026
On Sunday, Pastor Lance Terry continued through Ezra, covering chapters 7 and 8 and introducing us to Ezra himself—nearly sixty years after the events of chapter 6. Pastor Lance highlighted Ezra's credentials: his priestly lineage tracing back to Aaron, his role as "a scribe skilled in the law of Moses," and the repeated phrase that "the hand of the Lord his God was upon him." Most significantly, ...