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
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, ...
Ezra-Nehemiah
February 15th, 2026
Sermon Summary On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson continued through Ezra, covering chapters 5 and 6 and the restart of temple construction after a sixteen-year delay. Pastor Russell used the "good cop, bad cop" analogy to describe how God sent two prophets—Haggai, who confronted the people's complacency and told them to "go to work," and Zechariah, who cast vision for God's future purposes and the ...
Ezra-Nehemiah
February 8th, 2026
On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson continued through Ezra, exploring chapter 4 and the opposition that arose against the rebuilding of the temple. Pastor Russell opened with the story of Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, who faced relentless opposition from family, mission societies, cultural hostility, illness, financial pressure, and personal grief—yet remained faithful. He expl...