Ezra 6: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Ezra 6 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Darius the king ordered a search for records in Babylon. They found a scroll at Achmetha that stated Cyrus had made a decree about the temple in Jerusalem. The decree said the temple should be built and that its expenses would come from the king’s house (vv.

Key verse

“The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.”
Ezra 6:14 (WEB)

Outline

Ezra 6:1–5 Darius searches for records
Ezra 6:6–12 Darius's decree supporting the Jews
Ezra 6:13–15 Rebuilding is completed
Ezra 6:16–22 Dedication and worship at the Temple

Discussion questions

What does Darius decree in v6 about Tattenai and his companions?
What items do the elders of the Jews need for offerings in vv. 9-10?
Darius's decree in v11: what does the punishment imply about his view of authority?
Why does the dedication in v16 bring joy to the children of Israel?
When have you felt a sense of joy similar to the 'feast of unleavened bread' in v22?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezra 6: Ezra 7, Ezra 5, Jeremiah 30.

Before next time: read Ezra 7.