Ezra Taught God’s Law
(Ezra 7-10; Nehemiah 8)
July 26th, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
In His providence, God raised up Ezra to be a leader who realized the people of God needed to do more than just rebuild the buildings and walls in Jerusalem. If all the buildings and infrastructure of Jerusalem were completely rebuilt, but the people did not know God and His good commands, then all their rebuilding would be in vain.
Ezra was a faithful scribe and priest who returned to Jerusalem with a clear mission: to teach the law of God to the people. Ezra 7:10 tells us that Ezra had determined to know the law, obey the law, and teach the law to the people of God in Jerusalem. Ezra's commitment and desire to teach the law was not merely to speak its truth; he intended to live the truth of it as well.
From dawn until noon, Ezra read from the law of Moses, instructing God's people in His commands and reminding them of God's faithfulness. The response of the people to the reading of the law was overwhelming. They wept when they heard God's Word because they were confronted with the reality of their sin. Ultimately, the people repented of their sins and made a commitment to follow God's law.
Ezra's commitment to living and teaching the law reminds us of the importance of devoting ourselves to knowing, understanding, and living out God's Word. This opens our lives to God's transformative work through His truth and the power of the Holy Spirit who conforms us into the image of Jesus. Through our study of God's Word, we also realize our absolute need for Him. God's Word reveals our sin and reminds us that we are incapable of saving ourselves. Because of God's faithful love, He sent His Son to take our sin upon Himself so that we can be forgiven and receive eternal salvation.
Ezra’s ministry reminds us of the power of Scripture to transform lives. God's Word reveals our sin, leads us to repentance, and shows us the way to restoration. Point kids to see how followers of Jesus are called to know, understand, obey, and share God's words as they point others to the gospel.
***Next Week: The People Worshiped God (Nehemiah 7-13)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read Ezra 7-10; Nehemiah 8 from the Bible.
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The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. An estimated 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been purchased worldwide. Approximately 80 million Bibles produced this year! It is also the most translated book of all time. At least a portion of the Bible has been translated into 3,500 languages! God’s Word continues to spread around the world and change hearts as people hear the truth about Jesus.
The prophet Ezra loved to study and teach God’s law. After returning to Jerusalem and promising to follow God, the people of Israel gathered to hear Ezra read from God’s Word. For hours and hours, the people stood and listened to Ezra read. The people cried and repented as God’s Word showed them how they had disobeyed God. Ezra told the people to prepare a feast to celebrate the power of God’s Word.
The Bible consists of God’s words to us. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible shows how our sin separates us from a holy God. It also shows us God’s plan to fix all that is broken by sending His own Son, Jesus, to be the Savior we all need. Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s commands, died on the cross in the place of sinners, and rose again to conquer sin and death. As we read the Bible, we learn that forgiveness and salvation are God’s gifts to all who believe in Jesus!
Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law and gives us power to turn away from sin through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey God.
Pray: God, Your Word is perfect and powerful! The Bible shows us our sin, but we praise You because it also shows us Jesus and His power to save us from sin. Help us understand Your Word and let it change us to honor You more. Amen.
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Preschool:
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah.”John 20:31
1st-5th:
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him.” John 20:31 NiRV
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Mornings
Thank God for the Bible and all it teaches us about His plan to save sinners through Jesus. What does the Bible show us about our sin? How does the Bible point us to Jesus as Savior and Lord?
Evenings
Ask God to give you a love for His Word and help you understand it. How does spending more time reading and memorizing God’s Word help us love Him and the Bible? Who can help you understand God’s Word?
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For Fun
Throw a party to celebrate God’s work in your family. Decorate, serve cake, and sing worship songs as a family. Take turns telling stories and naming specific things God has done for you this past year.
To Serve
Enter the key passage, John 20:31, into a translator app to hear how it sounds in a different language, such as Spanish or French. Practice saying the verse together in both English and the new language. Talk about how God’s Word is shared all around the world in many languages. Pray for all people around the world to one day hear God’s Word in their native language. Remind kids that God’s Word is needed for people to hear and understand the good news of Jesus!