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
Isaiah 25:1-9 - Isaiah’s images announce God’s hope in an anxious time: God loves us, is trustworthy, and will right every wrong and renew the world, including us.
Isaiah 5:1-2-Isaiah’s vivid images of a world-changing event on a rock invite us to dream of a new way to settle disagreements and disputes.
Isaiah 1:15-20-Join us for "Unshakeable," a new sermon series exploring the epic images God gave His people in Isaiah. We begin with a call to repentance.
1 Samuel 24:1-22 - David chose inconvenience and risk when he could have chosen an easier life. Jesus calls us to do the same—to “Go!” even when it costs us, because sometimes our inconvenience helps someone else find Life.
2 Samuel 24:18-25-After his second colossal failure, David refused to cheap out on his sacrifice. See how God used his obedience to end a plague and build the Temple.
1 Samuel 23:14-18-Using the life of David, we’re taking four weeks to look at four essential practices that Christians have devoted themselves to for two thousand years: Gather, Grow, Give and Go. These practices are what Jesus has always called his church to do. This week we’re talking about growing … together.
