Lean In // 5 minutes
What was the last thing you ruined?
Leader Note: Remember to get your entire group talking here. The more they share at the lean in the more likely they will be to share all the way through the discussion. Set the tone to this question by modeling it yourself… keep this answer on the “lighter side.” Think of a commercial situation like the ones listed in the sample answers. Transition your group to the next section by saying something like… “Ruins are inevitable, as is the promise of God to never leave us or forsake us, despite the messiness of life.”
- Clothes in the wash
- Burnt dinner
- Lego tower
- Car accident
- iPhone incident
Look Down // 10 minutes
Commentary Note: The people of God were carried away into captivity in Babylon and God’s house was destroyed. However, Ezra and a remnant have been allowed to return some generations later to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. These verses are part of a prayer offered by Ezra on behalf of God’s people. They are standing among the ruins of God’s house praising God for the opportunity to join Him in the restoration of His house. Just one generation before, this would have been unimaginable to the people and yet God promised He would do it.
What does God give His people in the midst of ruins?
Sample answers could include:
- Firm place
- Grace
- Revival
- Light
- Relief
- His presence, “he has not bonded us”
- The ability to still see Him at work… “brightened our eyes”
- His influence… “he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably”
- Gives us a purpose and strength to complete that purpose… “He revived us so we could rebuild the Temple of our God”
Look Out // 10 minutes
What do the ruins of someone’s life look like?
Leader Note: Remember at this point you are asking your group to respond to where they see this passage at work in the world around them. You want your group to look out, meaning outside of their own story. Where have they seen this in the lives of others, what stories can they share?
- Divorce
- Addiction
- Debt
- Bankruptcy
- Foreclosure
- Adultery
Where have you seen hope come from ruins?
- Restored marriages
- Recovery
- Reconciled friendships
- Family’s coming back together
Look In // 20 minutes
Where do you need ruins restored?
Leader note: The category of “ruins” pertaining to our lives is a difficult subject. In mixed gender groups this might be an opportunity to break off women with women etc. The hope is that we will be prompted to deal both with ruins we have yet to declare a need for restoration and ruins God is in the midst of restoring. James 5:15-16 tells us that we are forgiven and confession brings healing. Also, recall the context of Ezra 9:8-9 – a prayer of confession and thanksgiving offered by God’s people. When group members share remember to lean in and listen. This is the best offering the group can give in the moment! Offering any Care & Recovery Resources can happen generally at the end of group or offline in a private conversation.
What would your life look like with ruins restored?
Live It Out // 5 minutes
How might you live differently with restored ruins? Who else could you impact?
Key Verse: Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage…He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins… Ezra 9:9
Key Thought: Humanity takes what is glorious and ruins it. God takes what is ruined and makes it glorious.
Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.