When the people saw the scribe open God’s Word, they were compelled Life Group Lesson to rise to their feet and out of reverence, they shouted “Amen! Amen” – They had been waiting for this day for many years. Joy filled their hearts as their Nothing More Beautiful ● Week of September 27 ears were filled withTRUTH. God’s Word brings conviction, as it did with the returned exiles, “For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the The nation of Israel has been a miracle from the beginning. From the moment words of the Law” (v9). But as we commit to aligning our lives with God’s God appeared to Abraham and promised to bless the world through his and Word, joy will begin to replace the sorrow. Sarah’s descendants, the Lord has faithfully pursued His people and continues to fulfill His covenant. God’s redemption is for all nations to know Him through “And continued,‘ Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the LORD God loves His people with an sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. everlasting love, God has always held His people accountable. The return of This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the exiles and the rebuilding of ’s walls during the time of Ezra and the LORD is your strength!” (v11) Nehemiah attests to God’s love and eternal covenant. God is about a new start and rebuilding true identity in Him. 1. Think of a time God’s Word brought conviction to your heart. How did you respond? After the reign of king , God’s people increasingly allowed idolatrous wor- ship to pollute their land. Pagan worship had always been a temptation for Is- Why is it important to have a deep reverence for God’s Word? (see He- rael, but Solomon’s marriage of many foreign women eventually led to a divid- brews 4: 12-13 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17) ed kingdom. Over time, as the people of refused to turn from idolatry and their irreverence for God’s covenant with them, judgment fell upon Jerusa- When you think about how God is a God of New Beginnings, think about how lem in 586 BC. After seventy years in Babylonian exile, God raised up a pagan the Lord is concerned for your soul. God wants to bring you out of bondage. king, Cyrus king of Persia, to issue a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return God wants to bring your family out of exile. God wants to bring your loved one to Judea and rebuild – (spouse, friend, son or daughter) into a personal love relationship with Himself. Only God can accomplish such feats. God’s Son stands not to condemn, but to save! Our God is in the restoration, rebuilding, reviving-what-once-was-dead “I am the One who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my business. Who (what need) do you need to lift before the throne of God right hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command. I will raise now? up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will re-

store my city and free my captive people—without seeking a reward! I, the 2. There is nothing more beautiful than when love wins in the home. Notice, LORD of Heavens’ Armies, have spoken!” the returned exiles (1) assembled with a unified purpose, and then (2) (Isaiah 45:12-13, see also Isaiah 45:1-6, :22-23, :1-4) asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the

Lord had given for Israel to obey. How do you define ‘a reverence for God’s Restoring the ruins of Jerusalem and building the Temple were extremely chal- Word’ in your home? lenging and the work was halted on several occasions for sometimes years at a time. Also, many Jewish people had settled in the lands of the east and did not Do you live into God’s Truth as described in James 1:21-22 – want to return to Judah. But Ezra, Nehemiah, along with , Zechariah,

Jeshua, , and many previously returned-exiles (:1-2), “So get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has faithfully committed themselves to God’s purpose. As a result, a great extent planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t of rebuilding was accomplished in the span of about two hundred years. Truly just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are on- amazing given the amount of challenges and obstacles at nearly every turn. ly fooling yourselves.”

Read :1-10

Name two practical ways you can begin today (or at least this week) to live into God’s Word: 1) ______and 2) ______

Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries, although Ezra was probably several years older. During the days when Ezra was preparing to make the journey to Jerusalem, prior to Nehemiah, Ezra had assembled the exiles at the Ahava Ca- Text: Nehemiah 8:1-10 nal (Ezra 8:1). They camped there for three days while Ezra went over the list of people and priests who had arrived. He found that not one Levite had vol- unteered to come along. Ezra had to ask specifically for Levites to return. And Plain Truth: God provided (see Ezra 8:15-23). How beautiful when ______leads

3. Sometimes people get so settled in their way of life, the enthusiasm for to a ______of New ______. ‘volunteering’ for the journey is simply not there. Why is this?

When have you had to should-tap for volunteers? Why is it important to 1. Foster both a passion for _____ and ______pray first, and then ask for help from your leaders, like Ezra did, in Ezra ______. 8:16-20?

The only way love can win in your home – the only way to find strength in the joy of the Lord – is when you resolve to align your life with the Lord. You may 2. Develop a ______for the Lord. be putting God off right now. You are too busy or perhaps entirely indifferent to a life of faith. But the Lord is patient. He loves you and wants to give you a fresh start right now. His love is real and personal. Why wait? 3. Live in ______for our joy comes from ______God.

One Year Readings September 27: Isaiah 51:1-53:12, Ephesians 5:1-33, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 24:7 September 28: Isaiah 54:1-57:14, Ephesians 6:1-24, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 24:8 September 29: Isaiah 57:15-59:21, Philippians 1:1-26, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 24:9-10 September 30: Isaiah 60:1-62:5, Philippians 1:27-2:18, Psalm 72:1-20, Prov. 24:11-12 October 1: Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14 October 2: Isaiah 66:1-24, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16 October 3: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4:1-23, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20

September 26 & 27, 2020