February 9, 2025
The Story | Could God Still Love Me? | Chapter 19
Hope: The Return of the Exiles
The book of Ezra tells the story of the return of God’s people from exile. The account details the extra care that was taken by the returnees in doing their best to reproduce what they once had. Very quickly they got the old altar operational and began to rebuild the temple. Our story is about what they chose to do on the day the foundation of the new temple was in place. There was a party that didn’t feel like a party for everyone and that’s just honest!
Songs for this week: Spotify
Chapter 19: Ezra 3:10-13
- Share one picture on your phone and tell the story behind it.
- The people of God were already offering sacrifices, why did the Temple matter so much to them?
- Their song of choice was “God is good, his love endures forever.” Explain that. What might your life’s theme song be? Explain your choice.
- The story records that on that day some shouted for joy and others wept loudly. God welcomes both. How comfortable are you with your emotions? How comfortable are you when other people express their emotions?
- What do you think the greatest challenge is for St. Paul’s Leaskale right now?
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Recent Sermons
Colossians 2:8-12 - Paul warns the Colossian church not to trade the freedom found in Christ for religion or spiritual experiences. Jesus is more than enough.
Colossians 2:1-7-The way forward for the first Christians wasn't always easy. False teachers brought confusion and deception, prompting Paul to point believers back to the truth. Just as the best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the genuine article, the best way to recognize false teaching is to know Jesus.
Colossians 1:24-29-Suffering is one of life's hardest realities. We might expect that following Jesus would mean less pain, but Jesus himself suffered and made it clear that his followers would too. The good news is that our suffering is never lost on God and is never in vain.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Paul contrasts two powerful words—alienated and reconciled—to tell our story. Discover how Jesus did the work of reconciliation and why that is the heart of the Gospel.
Colossians 1:15-20 -Colossians centers on Jesus—the Creator of all things, the Sustainer of life, and the Redeemer who restores creation through love.
Colossians 1:9-14 - Paul prays not for comfort, but for deeper faith—knowing God’s will, living for Jesus, and receiving strength to persevere with hope.
