Bethany Bible Study

EZRA 5 + HAGGAI 1:2-9 TEMPLE REBUILDING WORK RESUMED WORK RESUMED (1-2): Who was instrumental in inspiring remnant jews to resume the temple building work? Why was the work suspended? How long was the work suspended? PROPHETIC INTERVENTION EZRA ==> HAGGAI ROLE OF PROPHET HAGGAI in REBUILDING (Haggai 1:2-9): What was the word given through prophet Haggai? Why were Jews experiencing material loss...

EZRA 4 Opposition to God's Work Ezra 4 highlights how God’s work—especially rebuilding the temple—faced organized resistance and significant delay . 1. Adversaries Attempt Deception (vv. 1–3) The Samaritans, descendants of those who intermarried with pagan nations (2 Kings 17), offered to help rebuild the temple. Though they claimed to worship the same God, their faith was mixed with idolatry. Zer...

EZRA 3:7-13 Rebuilding the Temple Foundation In this passage, the people of Israel who returned from exile begin rebuilding the foundation of the temple . This follows the earlier rebuilding of the altar and marks the continuation of God’s work through His people. 1. Advancing the Work of the Lord The returnees united under Zerubbabel and Joshua to organize labor and appoint Levites to oversee the...

EZRA 3:1-6 Main Theme: Rebuilding the Altar – The First Step in True Worship 1. The Priority of the Altar The returned exiles rebuilt the altar before the temple , emphasizing the urgency and importance of worship and repentance . The altar symbolized forgiveness , true worship, and restoration of relationship with God. Despite opposition and fear of surrounding enemies, the people gathered as one...

Ezra : Chapter 2:1-70 First Return of Jews | Names of Jews FIRST RETURN (2:1-70): Why were Jews scattered? How many jews were taken captive? When did the first return occur? What made the return possible? How many jews returned? Who is Zerubbabel? What is admirable about those who returned? Why are names given? Does God give significance to our names? REFLECTION: What lessons can we learn from the...

Ezra : Chapter 1 PROCLAMATION & PREPERATION TO RETURN THE PROCLAMATION (1-5): How many years were the Israelites in exile? Who issued the proclamation and why? What was the content? Why didn’t everyone respond and return? What was common between king Cyrus and the remnant who returned? THE PREPARATION (6-11): What was the source and nature of collection for the temple? What was missing in the...

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW Who was Ezra? What are some of the main themes in this book? What factors contributed to the captivity of Israelites? How many years had passed in exile? Which king offered return from exile? In how many stages did the return occur? Did everyone return? What lessons can we learn? Reflections: What lessons can we learn from introduction & overview?

Hebrews - Review

Hebrews Chapter : 13:18-25 GOOD CONSCIENCE | BENEDICTION PRAYER REQUEST (18-19): What is the prayer request? How can we have a clear conscience? What is the ‘restoration’ referred to? BENEDICTION (20-21): How do enjoy peace of God and peace with God? Why is resurrection important? How is Lord Jesus Christ described? How can we do great things? What must be our focus? CONCLUSION (22-25): What must...

Hebrews : Chapter 13 Our Worship + Our Works PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIFE (1-6): What are some good christian works and qualities identified? LEADERS (7, 17): Why must the leaders be remembered? Why must they be obeyed? What is the responsibility of leaders? CHRISTIAN WORSHIP (8-16): What is the warning against traditions? Where is our altar? Where was Jesus crucified? How can we 'go out and bear his...

Hebrews 12:18-29 Mt Sinai Versus Mt Zion | Unshakeable Kingdom Mt Sinai and Mt Zion (18-24): What is the significance of Mt. Sinai? Why is Mt. Zion better? God Speaks (25): How does God speak? What is the consequence of ignoring God’s voice? The Unshakeable Kingdom (26-28): What was shaken at Mt Sinai? What will be shaken at Mt Zion? What is believer’s inheritance? How must we serve God? Is the Ki...

Hebrews 12: 4-17 Lord’s Discipline | 2 Priorities| Bitterness LORD’s DISCIPLINE (4-13) Why does Lord discipline and what should be our response? How should we discipline? Why should make straight the paths? GOD AND MAN (14): What must take priority in our relationship with God and with man? Where must we look? WARNING & EXHORTATIONS (15-17): What causes bitterness? What is the outcome? How can...

Hebrews Chapter 12:1-4 Jesus: Author & Finisher of Faith WHEREFORE (1): How does verse 1 connect with chapter 11? SPIRITUAL JOURNEY (1): What metaphor is used to describe our spiritual journey? What lessons can we learn and apply to our journey? RUNNING BY LOOKING (2-4): Who must we focus on? Why not focus on heroes of faith? What makes Jesus a great role model REFLECTION: Who is Jesus? How do...

Hebrews Chapter 11:32 Faith of Judges: Jephthah JEPHTHAH's BEGINNING: What was the environment during his time? Who were his parents? How is Jephthah described? Why did he leave his father's house? What did he do when he was away? JEPHTHAH'S RETURN & BATTLE: Why is Jephthah asked to return and what offer is given to attract him? How did Jephthah go about his battle plan? What is the secret of...

Hebrews Chapter 11:32 Faith of Judges: Barak BARAK’s CALL: What environment were the Israelites facing during the time of Barak? How did Barak receive his call? What was God’s mission for Barak? BARAK’s VICTORY OF FAITH: Why did Barak feel like a misfit to complete the mission? How did he respond to the mission? How was he equipped for the mission? How did Barak achieve victory? What role did Debr...

Hebrews Chapter 11:32 Faith of Judges: SAMSON SAMSON’s BEGINNING: What was unique about the birth of Samson? What role did his parents play in his upbringing? What was Samson’s calling? SAMSON’s VICTORIES: What was the condition around Samson’s time as a judge? What were some victories in the life of Samson? What was the secret of his strength and victory? SAMSON’s DECLINE AND ENDING: Why did Sams...

Hebrews Chapter 11:32 Faith of Judges: Gideon JUDGES: Who lead Israel before Judges? How many Judges ruled Israel and what are their names? What was the condition of Israelites during that time? FAITH IN ACTION: What qualified Gideon to be listed among the heroes of faith? Did Gideon have any failures? (Judges 6-8) Reflection: What can we learn from the faith of Gideon?

Hebrews Chapter 11:29-30 Faith of Joshua and Rahab FAITH OF JOSHUA & ISRAELITES: Who commissioned Joshua to lead Israel and what was the charge given to him? What gave Joshua the confidence to lead? What was needed for the walls to fall down? What was the significance of making seven rounds? What was the outcome of the victory? FAITH OF RAHAB: Who was Rahab? What inspired her faith? How was sh...

Hebrews Chapter 11:23-29 FAITH OF MOSES FAITH AT BIRTH (23): Who exercised faith at the birth of Moses? How does faith give courage to act? Why was Moses considered a ‘proper child’? FAITH AT YOUTH (24-26): Who raised Moses? What critical choice did Moses make? What was the trade-off? Was Moses better off or worse because of his choice? FAITH AS AN ADULT (27-29): Why was Moses not afraid of Pharao...

Hebrews Chapter 11:20-22 FAITH AT FINAL MOMENTS OF LIFE Isaac | Jacob | Joseph FAITH OF ISAAC (20): Who was the recipient of Isaac’s blessing? Were the two sons blessed equally? Why is Isaac’s act of blessing a commendable act of faith? Was Isaac’s faith honored by God? FAITH OF JACOB (21): Who was the recipient of Jacob’s blessing? Why was that unusual? Why is Jacob’s faith commendable? Was Jacob...

Hebrews Chapter 11:8-19 Faith of Abraham ABRAHAM’S FAITH: THE CALL TO GO (8-10): At what season of his life was Abraham called? Why was Abraham’s response commendable? Did Abraham settle in the promised land? Why or why not? ABRAHAM & SARAH’S FAITH: THE CONCEPTION (11-12): What was the promise made to Sarah? What was her first response? What changed and what was the result? How does God’s deal...

Hebrews 11:1-7 FAITH DEFINED | FAITH PRACTICED FAITH (1-3): How is faith defined? What lead to good testimony of elders? What is the relevance of including testimonies of men and women of faith? Is faith a spiritual gift given to some or is it given to all? How is faith & sight connected? What is evidence of faith? How do we grow in our faith? How were the worlds created? Where must our faith...

Hebrews 10:19-38 RESPONDING TO THE NEW COVENANT RESPONSE TO NEW COVENANT(19-25): What is the new and living way? Using the phrase “let us ..”, how are we to respond? Why must there be a sense of urgency to our response? WARNING OF APOSTASY (26-31): Who is it addressed to? Why is there a danger of apostasy? What is the consequence? ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE (32-38): How can believers be strengthen...

Hebrews 10:1-18 Shadow versus Reality INFERIOR SACRIFICES (1-4): What made the animal sacrifices inferior? Why were the sacrifices repeated? What is impossible? What are the ‘good things’ to come? Why is the sacrifice of new covenant superior? THE PREPARED LAMB (5-10) When was the lamb prepared? What was unique about this lamb? What was the passion of Jesus? Is sanctification a one-time experience...

Hebrews 9:11-28 Blood of Christ |Death & Judgement of man THE BETTER MEDIATOR? (11-15): What ‘good things’ does Christ offer? How was the sacrifice of Christ superior? What did the death of Lord Jesus Christ on the cross accomplish? What must follow our salvation? How were the old testament (pre-Christ) believers saved? Does the cross apply to those under the old covenant? What is the signific...