Ezra 3-4

Scripture – Ezra 3-4

Observation – 

• Ezra 3:1-7 - The restoration of Worship
• Ezra 3:1 - Beginning in the seventh month
• Ezra 3:2-3 - The altar is rebuilt on its ancient foundation
• Ezra 3:4-6 - The feast is observed, and sacrifice is resumed
• Ezra 3:7 - Materials are prepared
• Ezra 3:8-13 - Work begins
• Ezra 3:8-11 - Joy and worship as the work begins.
• Ezra 3:12-13 - The mixed reaction of the people
• Ezra 4:1-3 - The offer of a dangerous alliance.
• Ezra 4:1-2 - Enemies try to join the work of building the temple.
• Ezra 4:3 - Zerubbabel rightly refuses their offer.
• Ezra 4:4-24 - Samaritan resistance to the building of Jerusalem
• Ezra 4:4-5 - The resistance under Cyrus' reign
• Ezra 4:6 - The resistance under Ahasuerus
• Ezra 4:7-16 - The resistance under the reign of Artaxerxes
• Ezra 4:17-23 - The king commands that the work stops until further notice.
• Ezra 4:24 - The work is considered once again.

Timeless Outline –

• v1-24 - Strategies of the enemies of God
• v1-3 - Sabotage
• v4-5 - Intimidation
• v6 - Accusation
• v7-16 - Scheming
• v17-23 - Laws and force

Examples to follow – There will be people that want to stop God's work.

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –Christians should be the ones to uphold and continue God's work, not non-believers.

Application – 

Prayer – 

Ezra 1-2

 Scripture – Ezra 1-2

Observation – 

• Ezra 1:1-4 - The decree of Cyrus the Persian.
• Ezra 1:1 - God stirs Cyrus to make a decree.
• Ezra 1:2-4 - The decree
• Ezra 1:5-11 - The response of the people
• Ezra 1:5-6 - They are encouraged
• Ezra 1:7-11 - The return of the articles of the house of the Lord.
• Ezra 2:1-67 - Those returning from Exile
• Ezra 2:1-2 - Those who went back immediately
• Ezra 2:3-35 - A list of the families returning to Judah and Jerusalem.
• Ezra 2:36-57 - A list of the priests, Levites, and temple workers returning from exile.
• Ezra 2:58 - Two special groups who came back from exile.
• Ezra 2:59-63 - Those among the priests with uncertain genealogies who returned from exile
• Ezra 2:64-67 - The summary of the exiles
• Ezra 2:68-70 - The exiles make their home
• Ezra 2:68-69 - The offerings made for the rebuilding of the temple.
• Ezra 2:70 - The restoration of the people.

Timeless Outline –

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Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

2 Chronicles 36

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 36

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 36:1-14 - The last four kings of Judah
• 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 - The short reign of King Jehoahaz
• 2 Chronicles 36:5-8 - The captivity and reign of King Jehoiakim
• 2 Chronicles 36:9-10 - The reign of Jehoiachin
• 2 Chronicles 36:11-14 - The reign of Zedekiah and his rebellion against Babylon.
• 2 Chronicles 36:15-23 - The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile
• 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - The rejection of the messages and messengers 
• 2 Chronicles 36:17-19 - Jerusalem is looted
• 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 - They are captured by Babylonians for 70 years
• 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 - Cyrus allows the Jewish people to return.

Timeless Outline –

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

2 Chronicles 35

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 35

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 - Josiah's Passover
• 2 Chronicles 35:1-6 Josiah directs the priests and the Levites for the Passover
• 2 Chronicles 35:7-9 - Lambs are provided for the sacrifice
• 2 Chronicles 35:10-14 - The slaughter of the Passover lambs and the sacrificial meal.
• 2 Chronicles 35:15-19 - The greatness of Josiah’s Passover.
• 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 - The death of King Josiah
• 2 Chronicles 35:20-22 - Josiah disregards God’s warning and goes to war.
• 2 Chronicles 35:23-25 - Josiah's death and burial
• 2 Chronicles 35:26-27 - The summary of the reign of good King Josiah.

Timeless Outline –

• 35:20-27 - When Godly leaders make foolish decisions.
• v20 - Sometimes religion and practical matters don't have anything to do with each other.
• v21-22 - Sometimes we stubbornly don't respond after warned.
• v23-24 - Sometimes we face the consequences despite our godliness.
• v25-27 - Sometimes godly men are remembered by their good and foolish acts.

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

2 Chronicles 34

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 34

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 34:1-28 - The beginnings of Josiah's reforms.
• 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 - A summary of Josiah's reign
• 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 - Josiah against idolatry in Judah and the former kingdom of Israel.
• 2 Chronicles 34:8-13 - The restoration of the temple.
• 2 Chronicles 34:14-17 - The discovery of the Book of the Law.
• 2 Chronicles 34:18-21 - King Josiah hears the word of God.
• 2 Chronicles 34:22-28 - God speaks to King Josiah.
• 2 Chronicles 34:29-33 - The repentance of Josiah and the people of Judah
• 2 Chronicles 34:29-30 - Josiah reads the word of God to the leaders of Judah.
• 2 Chronicles 34:31-33 - The covenant is renewed.

Timeless Outline –

Examples to follow – When you realize you have sinned, confess immediately. When God has forgiven you, don't start relaxing. Do something about it.

Examples to not follow – Don't hide the law away as if it doesn't exist. It still is true whether you hide it or not.

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – When you realize you have sinned, confess immediately. When God has forgiven you, don't start relaxing. Do something about it.

Prayer – Heavenly Father. When I sin, remind me that I need to confess and repent immediately. Help me to have a sincere and repentant heart. And help me to do something about my sin, and not to relax just because you have forgiven me.

2 Chronicles 32-33

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 32-33

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 - God protects Jerusalem from the Assyrians.
• 2 Chronicles 32:1 - Sennacherib’s attack.
• 2 Chronicles 32:2-8 - Hezekiah prepares against the coming attack and siege of the Assyrians.
• 2 Chronicles 32:9-19 - Sennacherib’s propaganda campaign.
• 2 Chronicles 32:20-23 - Hezekiah's prayer and victory
• 2 Chronicles 32:24-33 - The remainder of Hezekiah's reign
• 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 - Hezekiah is humbled and God relents.
• 2 Chronicles 32:27-33 - The summary of Hezekiah's reign.
• 2 Chronicles 33:1-9 - The reign of Manasseh 
• 2 Chronicles 33:1-2 - Manasseh's 55 year reign of evil.
• 2 Chronicles 33:3-9 - The specific sins of Manasseh
• 2 Chronicles 33:10-20 - Manasseh's repentance
• 2 Chronicles 33:10-11 - God punishes Manasseh
• 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - The repentance of Manasseh
• 2 Chronicles 33:14-17 - The late deeds of Manasseh
• 2 Chronicles 33:18-20 - Manasseh’s death and burial.
• 2 Chronicles 33:21-25 - The reign of Amon
• 2 Chronicles 33:21-23 - A two year evil reign
• 2 Chronicles 33:24-25 - The assassination of Amon.

Timeless Outline – 

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

Children Ministry - 2 Samuel 7

Observation -

• 2 Samuel 7:1-7 - David proposes to build a house for the LORD
• 2 Samuel 7:1-3 - Nathan’s premature advice to David.
• 2 Samuel 7:4-7 - God's response to David's offer
• 2 Samuel 7:8-17 - God proposes to build a house for David
• 2 Samuel 7:8-9 - God reminds David what he has done for Him
• 2 Samuel 7:10-11 - God promises two things to David
• 2 Samuel 7:12-17 - God details His promise of a house for David.
• 2 Samuel 7:18-29 - David thanks God
• 2 Samuel 7:18-24 - David glorifies God for his goodness
• 2 Samuel 7:25-29 - David asks that the promise be fulfilled

 

2 Chronicles 31

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 31

Observation –

• 2 Chronicles 31:1-5 - After Hezekiah's Passover
• 2 Chronicles 31:1 - The work against Idolatry.
• 2 Chronicles 31:2-3 - The restoration and support of the regular priestly work.
• 2 Chronicles 31:4-5 - The tithe is commanded and brought.
•  2 Chronicles 31:6-21 - The distribution and blessing of the tithe.
• 2 Chronicles 31:6-10 - The receiving of the tithes.
• 2 Chronicles 31:11-19 - The management of the tithes.
• 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 - Hezekiah’s godliness and prosperity.

Timeless Outline –

• The Continuation of Cleansing
• v1 - Cleanse yourself of the physical and spiritual sin in your life
• v2-3 - Replace those spaces with God and his word
• v4-19 - Devote time and money to those who serve and teach you, so that they can devote more time to you.
• v20-21 - Whatever you do for God, do it wholeheartedly.

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

2 Chronicles 30

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 30

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 30:1-12 - The letter of invitation
• 2 Chronicles 30:1-5 - The tribes are invited to celebrate the Passover
• 2 Chronicles 30:6-9 - The letters 
• 2 Chronicles 30:10-12 - The reaction to the letters.
• 2 Chronicles 30:13-27 - The Passover is celebrated
• 2 Chronicles 30:13-17 - Preparations and sacrifices made.
• 2 Chronicles 30:18-20 - God is merciful to ignorant worshipers
• 2 Chronicles 30:21-22 - Worship, teaching, and fellowship
• 2 Chronicles 30:23-27 - The resulting joy and answered prayer.

Timeless Outline –

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer – 

2 Chronicles 29

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 29

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 29:1-19 - The cleansing of the Temple
• 2 Chronicles 29:1-2 - The summary of his reign
• 2 Chronicles 29:3-11 - Hezekiah encourages the cleansing and restoration of the temple
• 2 Chronicles 29:12-19 - Cleansing the temple
• 2 Chronicles 29:20-36 - The restoration of worship
• 2 Chronicles 29:20-27 - Sacrifice and worship are organized again.
• 2 Chronicles 29:28-36 - Thank and fellowship offerings and the resulting joy.

Timeless Outline – 

• How to Cleanse and Restore yourself from Sin.
• v1-2 - Have a good example of cleansing and restoration
• v3-5 - Be prompted by others to restore and cleanse your sin.
• v6-9 - Remember the consequences of impurity.
• v10-11 - Resolve to cleanse yourself
• v12-15 - Include help in your cleansing.
• v16-19 - Get rid of what is impure and bring in what is pure.
• v20-36 - Offer, worship, and then rejoice.

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer –     

2 Chronicles 28

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 28

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 28:1-15 - The sin and punishment of Ahaz
• 2 Chronicles 28:1-4 - Ahaz rejects God and accepts Idols
• 2 Chronicles 28:5-8 - A great slaughter and captivity of many from Judah.
• 2 Chronicles 28:9-15 - The prophet’s rebuke to Israel is heeded
• 2 Chronicles 28:16-27 - The fall of Ahaz
• 2 Chronicles 28:16-21 - Ahaz puts his trust in the kings of Assyria instead of the LORD.
• 2 Chronicles 28:22-27 - The end of King Ahaz.

Timeless Outline – 

• Portrait of Idolatrous life
• v1-2 - A choice of examples to follow
• v3-4 - A life marked by sacrifices
• Consequences of Idolatrous life
• v5-15 - Idolatry results in God handing us over to what we chase.
• v16-21 - Idolatry unaddressed leads to seeking other idols 
• v22-27 - Idolatries' greatest cost is causing God to anger.

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer –  

2 Chronicles 26-27

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 26-27

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 26:1-15 - The years of blessing and strength
• 2 Chronicles 26:1-5 - The overview
• 2 Chronicles 26:6-15 - The strength, security, and fame of Uzziah’s reign.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16-23 - Uzziah’s sin and punishment.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16 - Uzziah's proud heart
• 2 Chronicles 26:17-21 - Confrontation and a fitting punishment.
• 2 Chronicles 26:22-23 - The death of King Uzziah
• 2 Chronicles 27:1-9 - The reign of King Jotham
• 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 - The overview of King Jotham
• 2 Chronicles 27:3-6 - The accomplishments of King Jotham
• 2 Chronicles 27:7-9 - The summary of King Jotham's reign.

Examples to follow – 

Examples to not follow – Don't be prideful of what God has given you. Don't disobey God's commands because you think you know better.

Sins to avoid – Pride

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – 

Prayer –  

2 Chronicles 24:17-27; 25

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 24:17-27; 25

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 24:17-27 - Joash's disappointing reign
• 2 Chronicles 24:17-19 - Joash is influenced to do evil
• 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 - Zechariah's message from God and his death
• 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 - God brings judgement on Judah and Joash through the Syrians
• 2 Chronicles 24:25-27 - Joash is wounded and assassinated
• 2 Chronicles 25:1-13 - Amaziah's victory over Edom
• 2 Chronicles 25:1-2 - The limited good of his reign
• 2 Chronicles 25:3-4 - An example of Amaziah's obedience
• 2 Chronicles 25:5-8 - Preparation for battle against Edom
• 2 Chronicles 25:9 - Amaziah’s question and the answer from the prophet.
• 2 Chronicles 25:10-13 - Amaziah’s obedience and the victory over Edom.
• 2 Chronicles 25:14-28 - 
• 2 Chronicles 25:14-16 - Amaziah's idolatry and arrogance
• 2 Chronicles 25:17-20 - The king of Israel warns King of Judah
• 2 Chronicles 25:21-24 - King Amaziah is defeated by Israel
• 2 Chronicles 25:25-28 - He is hated and killed by his own subjects.

Examples to follow – Proclaim God's message despite death and persecution. Be a good example to non-believers.

Examples to not follow – Don't refuse to obey God because you don't like what he says. Don't obey God halfway. Don't be an unlikeable leader.

Sins to avoid – Halfway Obedience.

Promises to claim – 

Commands to obey –

Application – Do things in a way that will be different from unbelievers.

Prayer –  Heavenly Father. Help me to not be like Amaziah, who was proud and boastful. Even the Jehoahaz saw his pride and cautioned him. Help me to be different from unbelievers. Amen.

2 Chronicles 23-24:1-16

Scripture – 2 Chronicles 23-24:1-16

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 23:1-11 - The plan is put into practice
• 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 - Jehoiada and his plan to restore Joash to the throne of Judah.
• 2 Chronicles 23:8-11 - Joash is crowned King.
• 2 Chronicles 23:12-15 - Athaliah’s demise.
• 2 Chronicles 23:12-13 - Her distress upon discovering the plot against her.
• 2 Chronicles 23:14-15 - She and her supporters are executed
• 2 Chronicles 23:16-21 - The reforms of Jehoiada the priest.
• 2 Chronicles 23:16-17 - Jehoiada makes a covenant.
• 2 Chronicles 23:18-21 - Jehoiada restores the proper plans of worship and service.
• 2 Chronicles 24:1-16 - Joash repairs the temple
• 2 Chronicles 24:1-3 - Joash's forty-year reign.
• 2 Chronicles 24:4-7 - The need and heart to repair the temple
• 2 Chronicles 24:8-14 - The temple is repaired and people worship.
• 2 Chronicles 24:15-16 - The death of Jehoiada.

Examples to follow – Have a heart and need to serve God. Have a good mentor to teach you.

Examples to not follow –

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – God works for the good of those who love him.  

Commands to obey –

Application –  Ask God to give you a heart to serve Him.

Prayer –  Heavenly Father. Give me a heart to serve you. Give me a need to serve you just like Joash had. Help me to have good mentors in my life so that I can continue to grow. Amen.

2 Chronicles 21-22

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 21-22

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 21:1-7 - The sins of Jehoram
• 2 Chronicles 21:1-5 - The murder of his brothers
• 2 Chronicles 21:6-7 - Why God showed mercy to Jehoram
• 2 Chronicles 21:8-20 - The consequences of Jehoram
• 2 Chronicles 21:8-11 - Jehoram’s sinful compromise and the revolt of Edom and Libnah.
• 2 Chronicles 21:12-15 - Elijah’s letter of rebuke to Jehoram.
• 2 Chronicles 21:16-17 - Further troubles of the reign of Jehoram.
• 2 Chronicles 21:18-20 - Jehoram’s gruesome end.
• 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 - The rise and fall of Ahaziah
• 2 Chronicles 22:1-4 - The brief and wicked reign of Ahaziah.
• 2 Chronicles 22:5-9 - Ahaziah falls in judgment along with Ahab’s house by Jehu in Israel.
• 2 Chronicles 22:10-12 - The reign of Queen Athaliah
• 2 Chronicles 22:10 - The evil Queen Athaliah reigns over Judah.
• 2 Chronicles 22:11-12 - God uses Jehoshabeath to preserve the royal line of David.

Examples to follow – God will preserve his promises no matter what.

Examples to not follow – Don't compromise with sin.

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – God keeps his promises despite our sinfulness.

Commands to obey –

Application – God is in control of every situation no matter how chaotic or sinful it is.

Prayer –  Heavenly Father. I know you are in control of everything. I know you can control everything even when everything is chaotic. Help me to trust you and I ask that you would strengthen me when I sin. Amen.

2 Chronicles 20

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 20

Observation – 

• 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 - Jehoshaphat's prayer.
• 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 - Enemies gather against Judah.
• 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 - The nation gathers to seek God together.
• 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 - Jehoshaphat leads the assembly in prayer.
• 2 Chronicles 20:13-37 - God answers Jehoshaphat's prayer.
• 2 Chronicles 20:13-15 - The promise is given through a prophet
• 2 Chronicles 20:16-17 - The command to stand and believe
• 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 - The response of worship and praise.
• 2 Chronicles 20:20-21 - The battle is followed by worshipers
• 2 Chronicles 20:22-30 - Victory over the enemy and the plundering of the enemy.
• 2 Chronicles 20:31-37 - The disappointing end of Jehoshaphat's reign.

Examples to follow – When faced with a challenge, go to God in prayer and fast. Come with a humble heart. 

Examples to not follow – Even if you might do good for God, make sure you stay faithful and don't waver.

Sins to avoid – 

Promises to claim – God will always make a way. Put your trust in God and you will succeed.

Commands to obey – Give thanks to the Lord.

Application – God will make a way in every circumstance.

Prayer –  Heavenly Father. You are all powerful and sovereign. You can make a way in every situation no matter the circumstance. Help me to come to you with a humble heart and to go to you in prayer. Amen.