Ezra 9-10
Be sensitive to what God and what Him.
Ezra and the Jews demonstrated brokenness over sin in the following ways:
- Ezra 8:21 – They humbled themselves
- Ezra 8:23 – They fasted
- Ezra 8:23 – They petitioned their God
- Ezra 9:4 – Ezra sat appalled
- Ezra 9:5 – Ezra fell on his knees
- Ezra 9:6 – Ezra was ashamed and disgraced
- Ezra 10:1 – Ezra prayed
- Ezra 10:1 – Ezra confessed
- Ezra 10:1 – Ezra wept
- Ezra 10:13 – They realized that they sinned greatly.
There is always for us when we get with God 1 John 1:9
We must be over sin. Psalm 51:15-17
Charles Spurgeon – “Whenever God means to make a man great, he always breaks him in pieces first.”
Sermon Talks
- What caught your attention in this week’s message? Was there something you had never heard before or something you had a question about?
- What is something that you discarded because it was broken? Why did you not try and fix it?
- Do you feel you are sensitive to what pleases and displeases God? Explain.
- The issue with the Jews was not intermarriage in and of itself. What was the issue?
- Why did a large crowd gather around Ezra in the beginning of chapter 10? Explain the significance of this?
- What lesson can we learn from Ezra’s response to hearing about the sin taking place?
- Go back and look at the 10 ways Ezra and the Jews demonstrated brokenness over sin. What challenges does that list pose for you? Pray and ask God for help in the areas where you struggle.
- Charles Spurgeon once said, “Whenever God means to make a man great, he always breaks him in pieces first.” What do you think he meant by that statement?
- What would it take for you to be more like Ezra? What qualities did Ezra possess that you feel are lacking in your life?
- Be in continual prayer that God will keep you from developing a hard heart about your sin towards Him. Pray that you would continually be humbled and broken over your sin.
Pray about it: Meditate on God’s Word (Ezra 9-10) and this week’s message.
Adoration: What can I praise God for in light of what this teaches me?
Confession: What sin can I confess because of what this teaches me?
Thanksgiving: What can I thank God for in light of what he has done?
Supplication: What do I need to ask of God in order to grow in light of this?