• April 15th-May 20th-6-Week Spring Module

• May 16th-Church Family Workday

• May 24th-Memorial Day Weekend-No Sunday School/ABF Classes

• June 5th-6th Youth Spring-Thing @Lamoka

• June 14th-Graduate Recognition

• June 19th-Fire N' Fun Night

• June 21st-Father's Day-No Sunday School/ABF Classes

• July 20th-24th VBS

The Second Wave of Exiles

Ezra 7-8

In previous studies, we learned how Jews had returned to Jerusalem during the "first wave" of exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel.  Now, Ezra himself would gather together the next wave to return to the people's homeland. We will look closely at the life of Ezra and see what made him a godly leader. 

• The Lord calls Ezra to move to Jerusalem, and he obeys God's command.  Ezra 7:1-11
• King Artaxerxes writes a decree giving Jews permission to return to Jerusalem and build temple.  Ezra 7:12-27
• Ezra gathers together people and supplies, and they prepare to make that dangerous and lengthy trip to Judah. Ezra 8:1-18
• Before leading exiles back to Jerusalem, Ezra holds a fast to pray for God's protection.  Ezra 8:21-36 

Exploring the meaning

• There are no shortcuts in obedience to God's word (waiting for tribe of Levi)

• The Lord calls us to seek His guidance in every undertaking

•Study, obey, and teach

- Trials and Traumas 6 -

Running the Race Together: Persevering with Hope

Hebrews 11:19-25 <> 12:1-2

1. We Do Not Run Alone: Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5
1. Jesus never Forsakes Me – Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5
2. God gave us One-Another – Proverbs 17:17, Galatians 6:2, 1 Thess. 5:11

Tri-Fold Resource Overview

-Big Group <> Small Groups-

Running the Race Marked Out for Me (Ephesians 2:10, Hebrews 12:1–2)

When you hear that the Christian life is like a long-distance race, what part of that image hits you most:  endurance, tiredness, training, or finishing well? Why?

What are some “weights” or “hindrances” (not necessarily sins) that make it harder for you to follow Jesus with your whole heart: distractions, habits, relationships, screens, perfectionism?

If you were honest, where do your eyes tend to fix most often, on yourself, on other people’s opinions, on your circumstances, or on Jesus? How does that affect how you handle hard things?

Hebrews 12 says Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” What do you think that joy was, and how might remembering that change the way you think about your own suffering or shame this week?

Groaning and Glory in Your Story (Romans 8:18–25; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; James 1:2–4)

Without sharing more than you are ready to, where do you feel the “groaning” of life most right now—family, school, your body, mental health, friendships, or something else?

When you hear that present sufferings are “not worth comparing” with future glory, does that feel comforting, confusing, or maybe even frustrating? What questions or reactions come up for you?

If God really uses trials to grow perseverance and maturity in you, how does that change the way you might pray about a hard situation—what might you ask Him for besides just “make this go away”?

What would it practically look like for you this week to “fix your eyes on what is unseen” instead of only what you can see and feel right now?