AGENDA – GO UP AND REBUILD

OPENING PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to read and study Your Word. Please guide our thoughts and open our hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal. In Jesus' name, Amen.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – Go Up and Rebuild
SCENIC VIEW - Here we get a glimpse of what worship looked like in the temple. There are vestments and music, and people are singing a responsive psalm. This same phrase of praise is repeated throughout the Bible, especially in the psalms (Psalm 107:1 and 118:1). It is the psalm that David sang when the Ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:7-36), and the psalm everyone sang when Solomon dedicated the temple the first time (2 Chronicles 5:13).
POINT OF INTEREST - God has some harsh words for people who live in fancy houses while neglecting God's house of worship. Other prophets will similarly condemn leaders who live in extravagant houses while the poor suffer (Micah 2:1-3).
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE TEMPLE IS REBUILT
POINT OF INTEREST - One of the first things the Israelites do after returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple is to celebrate the Passover, as Moses instructed the people in Exodus 12:43-49. This is a sign that the worship God asks for is being observed once more, and the people are recommitting themselves to faithfulness.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE BOOK OF THE LAW
YOU ARE HERE - Ezra and the Levites not only read the scriptures aloud but also helped people interpret and understand the holy words. If we sometimes need help reading and understanding the Bible, we are in good company!
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE FESTIVAL OF BOOTHS CELEBRATED
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE STORY OF GOD'S PEOPLE
TRAIL CROSSING - Ezra knew his Bible; he was able to tell the whole story of God's love and salvation from memory. Throughout the Bible, we have these beautiful summaries of the faith; compare this one to the version in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – QUEEN ESTHER SAVES HER PEOPLE

POINT OF INTEREST - In the Bible, when people grieve, they do so loudly and visibly; they put ashes on their heads, wear special clothes, and often wail aloud. These are outward, visible signs of how they are feeling on the inside, much like the tradition of people wearing black while in mourning.
Scripture Citations 
EZRA 1:1-7 | 3:10-13 | 6:14-22 
HAGGAI 1:1-9 
NEHEMIAH 7:73b—8:1-3, 5-6, 9-18 | 9:6-32 
ESTHER 3:5-6, 8-11 | 4: 1-3, 13-17 | 7: 3-6
QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY 
1.	King Cyrus, King Darius, and King Artaxerxes are outsiders. They are not Israelites, yet they help the Israelites fulfill what God asks of them. Who are some of the other "outsiders" that we have heard about in the biblical story? What might their presence and action tell us about God's salvation? 
2.	The people of Israel face numerous obstacles to rebuilding the temple and the wall around Jerusalem, yet they persevere over many years. When have you faced obstacles in what God was calling you to do? How have you found the strength to persevere? 
3.	Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah speak the truth to the people, even when it is hard for them to hear. Who are some people in your life who have spoken truth to you, even when it was hard? When have you been the person speaking truth, even when it was hard? 
4.	When Ezra reads the people the scriptures for the first time, they are overcome with both joy and conviction. Have you ever been deeply touched by a passage of the Bible? What was the passage, and what did it meant to you? 
5.	Esther is one among many of the female leaders we have read about in the Hebrew Bible. How does her story and kind of leadership compare to some of the other biblical women we have encountered (Miriam, Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, etc.)? 
6.	The journey of the people of God has involved a great detour: a time of strife and conflict followed by years of exile. They have finally made their way back home, home to their holy land, but also home to the heart of God. What detours have you experienced in your journey of life? Have you made your way back home yet? If so, what was that homecoming like? If you're not home, what steps might you take to return?
These are deep, reflective questions that touch on both the historical narrative of the Bible and how those stories intersect with our own lives. Here is a breakdown of these themes to help with your study or personal reflection:
1. The Role of "Outsiders"
The Bible is full of "unlikely" characters who advance God’s plan.
•	Other Outsiders: Think of Rahab (a Canaanite who helped the spies), Ruth (a Moabite who became an ancestor of Jesus), the Queen of Sheba (who recognized Solomon's wisdom), or Naaman (a Syrian general).
•	What it tells us: Their presence suggests that God’s salvation isn’t exclusive to one ethnic group. It shows that God is "sovereign"—meaning He can use anyone, even those who don't follow Him yet, to accomplish His goals. It suggests that God’s heart is for the whole world, not just a small corner of it.
2. Persevering Through Obstacles
Rebuilding the temple took decades and involved constant harassment from neighbors.
•	Personal Reflection: When you feel called to a task (like a difficult career move, healing a relationship, or serving your community), obstacles often show up as "resistance."
•	Strength to Persevere: In the story of Nehemiah, strength came from prayer and community. They worked with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. Finding a "team" or a specific promise from Scripture is often how people find the grit to keep going today.
3. Speaking and Hearing Hard Truths
Ezra and Nehemiah had to call out corruption and systemic issues within their own people.
•	Hearing Truth: This usually comes from a "mentor" or a "true friend"—someone who cares more about your growth than your temporary comfort.
•	Speaking Truth: This requires discernment. It’s the difference between being judgmental and being "prophetic." It’s hard because it risks the relationship, but as the Bible suggests, "faithful are the wounds of a friend."
4. The Power of Scripture
When Ezra read the Law, the people wept because they realized how far they had wandered, but they also celebrated because they were finally "home" in the Word.
•	Deep Impact: Many people find a "life verse." For some, it’s Psalm 23 during grief; for others, it’s Micah 6:8 ("to act justly and to love mercy") during a career change. Being "touched" usually happens when the ancient text suddenly feels like it was written specifically for your current situation.
5. Esther and Female Leadership
Esther’s leadership is unique because it is subtle and strategic.
•	Comparison:
o	Deborah was an overt judge and warrior.
o	Miriam was a prophet and worship leader.
o	Ruth led through quiet loyalty and hard work.
o	Esther used her position and "social capital." She didn’t have an army, so she used a banquet and her voice. Her story teaches that leadership isn't always about being the loudest; sometimes it’s about being in the "right place at the right time" (Esther 4:14).
6. Detours and Homecomings
The Exile was a 70-year "detour" caused by the people’s own choices, yet God used it to refine them.
•	The Detour: In life, these are the seasons of "wilderness”job loss, health crises, or spiritual dry spells.
•	Homecoming: Returning "home" to God often feels like a relief, but like the Israelites found, the "house" might be in ruins and need rebuilding. It’s a process of restoration, not just a one-time event.
NEXT STEPS 
•	Ezra is able to retell the story of God's salvation so that people gain a sense of the continuity of God's presence with them, even in the midst of struggle and in spite of their sin. How would you tell the story of God's salvation, if someone asked you? Take time to think it over or even write it down. 
•	Before Esther goes to the king, she asks Mordecai and the other Jews to fast and pray on her behalf; even though she goes before the king by herself, she is not alone but is supported by a community. Make a list of some of the communities that have supported you at critical times in your life and what that support looked like. Then make a list of some ways that you can support others, both in your family and in your wider community of faith.
These are two beautiful exercises in reflection—one looking upward at the "big picture" of faith, and the other looking outward at the "safety net" of community.
Telling the Story of Salvation
If I were to sit down with someone and retell the story of God's salvation—much like Ezra did for the returned exiles—I would frame it as a "Story of Relentless Pursuit." It might sound like this:
•	The Beginning: It starts with a God who creates out of pure overflow of love, designing a world where we were meant to walk with Him in the "cool of the day."
•	The Break: We chose to be our own gods, creating a gap that we could never bridge on our own. This led to the "exile" of the human heart—feeling lost, even when we are "home."
•	The Pursuit: Instead of leaving us to our choices, God began a long, patient rescue mission. He used flawed families (Abraham), reluctant leaders (Moses), and even outsider kings (Cyrus) to keep the door open.
•	The Arrival: The story reaches its climax in Jesus, who didn't just tell us the way back, but became the way. He took the "detour" of the cross so that our detours wouldn't have to be permanent.
•	The Continuity: Now, salvation isn't just a ticket to heaven; it’s the reality that God is "with us" (Immanuel) in the struggle and the sin, constantly inviting us to rebuild our lives on His grace.
The Power of "Not Being Alone"
Esther’s bravery was fueled by the fact that behind her "secret" mission was a public community of prayer. Here is a way to categorize those support systems:
Communities that have supported me:
•	The "Crisis" Circle: Friends or family who dropped everything during a health scare or loss. Support looked like: Meals, silence, and just "being there."
•	The "Truth-Tellers": Mentors or small groups who called out my potential when I couldn't see it. Support looked like: Hard conversations and steady encouragement.
•	The "Quiet Pillars": The older generation in a faith community who prayed for me by name for years. Support looked like: Consistency and wisdom.
Ways I can support others now:
•	In the Family: Practicing active listening without trying to "fix" everything immediately; creating "Sabbath space" where the family can rest from the pressures of the world.
•	In the Wider Community: Being a "Mordecai" for someone else—noticing their gifts and nudging them toward their "such a time as this" moment; offering practical help (like childcare or professional networking) to those facing their own "rebuilding" phase.
CLOSING PRAYER - Lord, thank you for this time of study and for Your Word. As we leave, please help us to carry the truths we've learned into our daily lives and to live out Your teachings. May we continue to grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. Amen.