Time to follow the Lord

Study Guide

The following may help you reflect further on the message
(the points could also be used as a discussion guide at fellowship groups)

1. The exile is revealed in Jeremiah 25 and the return in Jeremiah 29v10-14. How is God portrayed here? What does God expect from Israel and why?
2. Ezra 1v1-5 shows the decree to return, and the attitude of heart of the people. How do you think they would be feeling? What were their expectations?
3. In Ezra 4 we see the foundations of the temple are laid but their neighbours set out to discourage and frighten them. What things discourage us or get in the way of our task in building the church and spreading the gospel?
4. What barriers make it hard for us to spread the gospel, whether externally imposed or internal to us?
5. Hearing about the church in Oradea which meets to pray at 5.30am each day – do you find that inspiring or depressing? Why?
6. How can Jesus’s promise to “be with us always” encourage and help us?
7. Think about and discuss some of the ways that Jesus has been with you, helped you, inspired you in the past.
8. Think about and discuss ways that you are helping in Gods building programme today, or other ways that you can get involved.