February 9, 2025
The Story | Could God Still Love Me? | Chapter 19
Hope: The Return of the Exiles
The book of Ezra tells the story of the return of God’s people from exile. The account details the extra care that was taken by the returnees in doing their best to reproduce what they once had. Very quickly they got the old altar operational and began to rebuild the temple. Our story is about what they chose to do on the day the foundation of the new temple was in place. There was a party that didn’t feel like a party for everyone and that’s just honest!
Songs for this week: Spotify
Chapter 19: Ezra 3:10-13
- Share one picture on your phone and tell the story behind it.
- The people of God were already offering sacrifices, why did the Temple matter so much to them?
- Their song of choice was “God is good, his love endures forever.” Explain that. What might your life’s theme song be? Explain your choice.
- The story records that on that day some shouted for joy and others wept loudly. God welcomes both. How comfortable are you with your emotions? How comfortable are you when other people express their emotions?
- What do you think the greatest challenge is for St. Paul’s Leaskale right now?
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Recent Sermons
Acts 28:30-31 - From a historic move to a growing future, St. Paul’s Leaskdale reflects on past crossroads and seeks God’s direction for the next chapter.
Rev. 22:12-21 - Jesus the Groom, the Church as His Bride, and the Holy Spirit as the matchmaker who brings it all together. Explore how God’s longing heart and our deepest desires find fulfillment in Him.
1 Corinthians 13 - Paul reminds the church in Corinth that love—not spiritual gifting—is the true measure of maturity. Love is a way of life, and unlike gifts, it lasts forever.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about leadership, relationships, self-discipline, and spiritual life. In this message, we explore how the Holy Spirit helps us discern spiritual realities—with Jesus at the very centre of it all.
Galatians 5:16-26 - The Holy Spirit surprised both the convinced and the curious in the early Church—working through powerful deeds and transforming lives from within to become more like Jesus.
Acts 2:1-21 - The long-awaited gift of God’s Spirit given to ordinary women and men finally touched down! A few unlikely believers huddled together in an upstairs room were the first recipients. This story unlocks the plan that the Spirit of Jesus has for us all.
