Free group study handout
Ezra 10: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Ezra 10 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Ezra prayed and confessed before God, weeping and lying down in front of God's house. A large group of people gathered, weeping bitterly (vv. 1-2).
Key verse
“Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and those who as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.”
Ezra 10:3 (WEB)
Outline
- Ezra 10:1–4 Ezra's Grief and Confession
- Ezra 10:5–9 Call to Gather and Act
- Ezra 10:10–14 Ezra's Charge to the People
- Ezra 10:15–17 Opposition and Resolution
- Ezra 10:18–44 List of Offenders and Actions
Discussion questions
- In v1, why do the people gather together to Ezra while he prays?
- What does Ezra do in v6 that shows his mourning over the people's actions?
- In v13, why do the people express concern about the rain impacting their ability to resolve the matter?
- In v14, what does the suggestion to appoint princes indicate about the community's approach to the issue?
- When have you felt compelled to separate from something in your life as Ezra urges in v11?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Ezra 10: Ezra 2, Nehemiah 13, Ezra 9.
Before next time: read Nehemiah 1.