Welcome to Step Into Scripture 2025! We are excited to be offering a virtual platform for this semester of Wednesday Night Bible Study!
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Please note all times in the schedule are in Eastern Daylight Time.
Bible Study will happen every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM from April 30 to July 30, 2025.Weekly Gathering Structure
Our Wednesday night gatherings will last about an hour and a half, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The time will be structured in 30-minute increments:- 30 minutes for arrival, fellowship, and reading
- 30 minutes for teaching
- 30 minutes for table discussion and announcements
Reading Time
Whatever day we’re on in the reading plan when we gather, we’ll read that day’s passage aloud in the group. Anyone can volunteer to read one chapter, and another person will read that day’s entry from the Step Into Scripture book. Even if you've fallen behind, you’re encouraged to pick up where we are that day and continue.Teaching Time
Our teaching team will lead a lesson based on that week’s reading. This lesson acts as an additional devotional beyond the book, modeling that we’re never done learning the Bible. Each reading offers new insights, and the book is just one part of the journey.Table Discussion Time
During each weekly gathering, you'll be provided with a brief overview of the Wednesday lesson and discussion questions. You’ll then join a group to reflect on and respond to the lesson together.Breakout Rooms
Our online breakout rooms are virtual spaces for deeper group discussions, connection, and spiritual growth. After the main session, participants should pick a breakout room to join where they can share insights, have group discussion, and pray together in a more personal setting.
Karina & Nancy's Breakout Room
Karina has been at Ekklesia since 2022 and has been a Step Into Scripture table leader since 2023. This year, she's led this online breakout group and looks forward to continuing this with her co-lead and awesome group of ladies.Nancy Muriel has been w/ Renaissance since 2021 and is excited to be part of this group of women, teaming up to encourage one another as we walk through the Bible together.
Tina Clark's Breakout Room
Fun & passionate elementary school administrator from the Renaissance Church in Atlanta!
Tabitha's Breakout Room
Tabitha is the Director of Operations for Ekklesia Christian Church. She is the mom of four adult children and has been married for 31 years.
Ekklesia Resources
Quarter 1
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Quarter 2
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9 - No meeting this week
No resources this week.
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Study Notes Teaching Video
Quarter 3
Week 1
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Study Notes Teaching Video
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching Video
Week 5
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching Video
Week 6
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 7
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 8
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 9
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 10
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 11
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 12
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Handout 1 Handout 2 Notes Teaching VideoWeek 13
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Notes Teaching VideoWeek 14
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Notes Teaching Video
Ekklesia App
If you have not already done so, please download the Ekklesia App.Sounds Week 14: The Favor of God
This week we’re tracing a single thread through Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi: the hand of God’s favor versus the curse of His discipline. Ezra shows that favor is not random; it rests on people who study, practice, and teach God’s Word (Ezra 7:10), humble themselves, and courageously step into God’s work (Ezra 7–8). Nehemiah shows that favor does not remove opposition; it equips us to pray, plan, build, and persevere amid ridicule, threat, and internal discouragement (Nehemiah 1–6). He also confronts economic injustice (Nehemiah 5), modeling stewardship that lifts the vulnerable. The people renew covenant rhythms (Word, Sabbath, firstfruits, tithes; Nehemiah 8–10), yet drift returns (Nehemiah 13), exposing our need for more than resolve—we need a Redeemer. Malachi closes the Old Testament by contrasting first-and-best worship and storehouse generosity with weary worship and withheld tithes, calling us to “Return to me” (Malachi 3:7–12; 1:6–14). Commitment Weekend is Ekklesia’s concrete response: assign me my section; we will not neglect the house of our God (Nehemiah10:39).
Discussion Questions
What postures invite the hand of God’s favor in Ezra’s life—and ours?
Answer: Ezra “set his heart to study, practice, and teach the Law” (Ezra 7:10; 7:6, 27–28; 8:18, 22, 31). Favor shows up as release, resourcing, courage, and protection—always credited to God.
Application: Where will you build a weekly rhythm that reflects study → practice → share (e.g., a reading plan, one act of obedience, one person you teach/encourage)?
How do God’s people walk in favor when opposition and discouragement rise (Nehemiah 1–6)?
Answer: Nehemiah’s prayer pattern: Praise → Confession → Promises → Petition (Nehemiah 1:4–11), then bold asks (2:1–8), mobilizing others (2:18), and pray + post a guard (4:9, 18, 20). Opposition is not proof of curse; it often signals meaningful work (Ephesians 4:15–16; Nehemiah 3:5; 4:8, 12).
Application: What’s your “section of the wall” this season? What ONE concrete step will you take this week—pray, plan, ask, or act—to advance it despite resistance?
What does real repentance look like when God’s Word convicts us (Nehemiah 8–10)?
Answer (with Scripture): Hear and understand the Word (Nehemiah 8:8), move from tears to joy through obedience (8:9–12, 17), confess God’s faithfulness and our failures (Nehemiah 9), and make specific, written, measurable commitments—Sabbath integrity and “we will not neglect the house of our God” through firstfruits/tithes and offerings (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:31–39).
Application: Choose one area to move from conviction to a written plan (set a Sabbath rhythm, establish a first-fruits percentage/tithe, or a defined serving role). Share it with a leader/accountability partner and begin this week.
How do stewardship and justice relate to God’s favor—or His curse?
Answer: Exploitative stewardship invites discipline (Nehemiah 5:6–12; Deuteronomy 23:19–20; Leviticus 25:35–40; Exodus 22:25–27; James 5:1–5). Gracious stewardship honors God’s house and the vulnerable (1 Timothy 6:17–19). Withholding tithes robs God and brings curse, while storehouse faithfulness brings provision and protection (Mal 3:8–12).
Application: What financial practice will you change to prioritize people over profit and God’s house over self-advantage?
What kind of worship does God accept—and reject (Malachi 1–2; 3–4)?
Answer: God rejects leftover, burdensome worship (Mal 1:8–14; 2:1–2) and calls for first-and-best offerings because His name is great among the nations (1:11). He promises to purify worship (3:1–4) and distinguishes those who fear His name (3:16–18; 4:1–2).
Application: What would it look like, practically, to bring God your first and best this week—in time, attention, and giving—especially as you prepare your Game Changer Commitment Card?
Prayer Prompts
Return & Favor: Lord, we return to You—align our hearts to Your Word and let Your gracious hand be upon us (Ezra 7:10; Mal 3:7).
Courage Under Fire: Strengthen our hands to build through opposition; teach us to pray and post a guard (Nehemiah 4:9; 6:9).
Generosity & Justice: Make us gracious stewards—faithful in tithes and offerings, quick to lift the vulnerable, and resolved to “not neglect the house of our God” (Nehemiah 10:39; Malachi 3:10; 1 Timothy 6:18).