Ezra — KJV Bible Study Guide
A free 10-lesson Bible study guide on ezra, drawn entirely from the King James Version. Each lesson opens with a study question, gives the verse reference, and offers a short teaching note. Use it for personal devotions, a small group, or a Sunday school class.
The 10 lessons
Lesson 1 · Ezra 1:2 (KJV)
Which King of Persia made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom to build the LORD an house at Jerusalem?
Answer: Cyrus
Study note. Cyrus king of Persia was charged by the LORD to build him an house at Jerusalem.
Lesson 2 · Ezra 1:7 (KJV)
What did Cyrus bring forth that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of Jerusalem?
Answer: The vessels of the house of the LORD
Study note. Cyrus brought forth the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had put in the house of his gods.
Lesson 3 · Ezra 3:2 (KJV)
Who was the priest that helped Jeshua and his brethren build the altar of the God of Israel?
Answer: Zerubbabel
Study note. Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel rose up with Jeshua to build the altar.
Lesson 4 · Ezra 3:10 (KJV)
In the second year of their coming, what foundation was laid with praise and giving of thanks?
Answer: The temple of the LORD
Study note. The builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD with trumpets and cymbals.
Lesson 5 · Ezra 3:12 (KJV)
Why did many of the priests, Levites, and ancient men weep with a loud voice when the foundation was laid?
Answer: Because they had seen the first house
Study note. Ancient men that had seen the first house wept when the foundation of this house was laid.
Lesson 6 · Ezra 4:2 (KJV)
What did the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin offer to do when they heard the temple was being built?
Answer: Build with them
Study note. The adversaries said, 'Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do.'
Lesson 7 · Ezra 5:1 (KJV)
Which two prophets prophesied unto the Jews in the name of the God of Israel?
Answer: Haggai and Zechariah
Study note. Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied unto the Jews.
Lesson 8 · Ezra 7:6 (KJV)
Ezra was described as a ready scribe in what law?
Answer: The law of Moses
Study note. Ezra was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given.
Lesson 9 · Ezra 8:21 (KJV)
What did Ezra proclaim at the river of Ahava to seek a right way for the people?
Answer: A fast
Study note. Ezra proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava to afflict themselves before God.
Lesson 10 · Ezra 9:2 (KJV)
What sin did the princes report to Ezra regarding the people of Israel and the priests?
Answer: They had taken strange wives
Study note. The people had not separated themselves but had taken of the daughters of the lands for themselves.
Key verses to memorize
The passages this study returns to most often — pick one or two and commit them to memory this week.
Discussion questions
- Which lesson in this study surprised you the most, and why?
- How does ezra point us to Jesus Christ and the gospel?
- Pick one verse from the key passages above. How does it shape the way you will pray, read, or live this week?
- Who in your life could you share one of these truths with in the next seven days?