His-Story Vol 1, Ch 8: Exile and Return

HIS-Story Volume 1
Written By Mark Strauss

Sermon Notes

HIS-STORY: The Bible in 18 Weeks

Volume I: The Old Testament Story

Chapter 8: Exile and Return

The Babylonian Exile

1. Historical Overview

2. The Prophet Ezekiel

3. The Prophet Daniel

After the Exile

1. Historical Overview

2. Ezra the Scribe

3. Nehemiah the Governor

4. Post-exilic Prophets

a. Zechariah

b. Haggai

c. Malachi

5. Esther

a. The Setting

b. The Story

c. The Message

Study/Discussion Questions:

  1. The message of the Babylonian exile is that unfaithfulness has consequences, but God is always ready to receive back his wayward children. Can you describe some time you have seen this in your life or in the life of someone you know?

  2. The central theme of the book of Daniel is that God is sovereign in human history. Even when events seem to be disastrous, God is at work. What are some examples of this in human history or in your life?

  3. The message of Esther is that God is at work, even when we don’t see him. Can you think of examples when God has been behind the scenes all along, but you did not realize it?

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His-Story Vol 1, Ch 9: Poetry and Wisdom
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His-Story Vol 1, Ch 7: Pre-Exilic Prophets