Week 28, July 8 - 14, 2018

Sunday, July 8, Ezra 1 - 2

• Among the Jewish captives in the kingdom of Persia, which were allowed to go back to Jerusalem in Ezra 1?
• Where did Cyrus get the silver and gold bowls and pans he gave to those who were going back to Jerusalem in Ezra 1?
• How many people returned to Jerusalem in Ezra 2?

Monday, July 9, Ezra 3, Acts 9

• What was the first thing to be rebuilt in Ezra 3?
• Why were there two different reactions to the foundation of the temple being laid in Ezra 3:12?
• Why did the Lord meet Saul is such a dramatic way in Acts 9?
• Why did Ananias question God's direction in Acts 9:13-14?
• Why were people astonished at Saul's preaching in Acts 9:21?

Tuesday, July 10, Ezra 4 - 6

• Why did Zerubbabel and Joshua turn down an offer for help in Ezra 4:3?
• Why did the work rebuilding the temple come to a stop in Ezra 4?
• How did work on the temple restart in Ezra 5?
• What role did Haggai and Zechariah have in the rebuilding of the temple?

Wednesday, July 11, Ezra 7, Acts 10

• Why did King Artaxerxes send Ezra to Jerusalem?
• An angel told Cornelius in Acts 10:4, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."  However, Cornelius needed to send for Peter to bring him the gospel.  How does God view those who are praying but don't know Jesus?
• What was the purpose of the vision Peter had in Acts 10?
• What astonished the circumcised believers in Acts 10:45-46?

Thursday, July 12, Ezra 8, Acts 11

• Why did Ezra call for a fast in chapter 8?  Why didn't he ask for soldiers for protection?
• Why was Peter criticized in Acts 11:2-3?
• Why did Barnabas bring Saul from Tarsus to Antioch?

Friday, July 13, Ezra 9, Psalm 78

• Why was Ezra appalled to learn that Jews had married people from neighboring groups?
• Psalm 78:34 says, "Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again."  How can you maintain a passionate desire to follow God that doesn't wait for things to get difficult before turning to Him?

Saturday, July 14, Ezra 10, Acts 12

• Why did it take two months to deal with all the cases of people who had married foreign women?
• In Acts 12, why was James put to death but Peter was rescued?
• Why was Herod struck down?