Each chapter of this book consists of an introduction and penetrating questions to stimulate thought and discussion. The 9 chapters of this study guide are based on sermons that had been preached from the book of Ezra and were later written as outlines for two Bible study groups.

The history in the book of Ezra, like that in Nehemiah, contains probably some of the least known of Bible history among many Christians, but it has important lessons that stir up God’s people to be busy in the building of His glorious house!

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Jehovah’s Charge to Cyrus – Ezra 1
Chapter 2: God’s Church Directory: 538 BC (Or: A Remnant Returns) – Ezra 2
Chapter 3: The Priority of Worship (Or: Altar First) – Ezra 3:1-6
Chapter 4: Beginning to Build – Ezra 3:8-14
Chapter 5: Rejecting False Church Unity – Ezra 4:1-5
Chapter 6: Continued Opposition: Certain Accomplishment – Ezra 4:6-6:22
Chapter 7: Ezra’s Heart for God’s House – Ezra 7
Chapter 8: Safety in Journey – Ezra 8
Chapter 9: Rejecting Mixed Marriages – Ezra 9-10

Written by Luke, Acts is the continuation of his gospel narrative. In Acts, we find a three-fold theme. First, it is the history of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfilment of Christ’s promise that He would pour out His Spirit on His people. Second, Acts sets forth the doctrine of the church, which in its simplicity is the model for the organization and operation of the Spirit-led church of all ages. Third, Acts is evangelistic, recording the spread of the gospel through the preaching of the Word of Christ.

Thus Acts is a paradigm for the New Testament church throughout its history.

The question format of this study guide is intended to provoke study, discussion and thought, in order to facilitate an understanding of Acts, whether in Bible studies or on a personal level. The book includes four maps of Paul’s journeys.

The epistle to the Hebrews is one of the richest and most significant letters in the Bible.

John Calvin expressed it well: “There is indeed, no book in Holy Scripture which speaks so clearly of the priesthood of Christ, which so highly exalts the virtue and dignity of that only true sacrifice which he offered by his death, which so abundantly deals with the use of ceremonies as well as their abrogation, and, in a word, so fully explains that Christ is the end of the Law.”

Hebrews also helps us understand the relation between the Old and the New Testaments. Here two sub-themes present themselves. One is the concept better, a term used twelve times in the epistle to help define the relation between the testaments. The other is the emphasis on faith as contrasted with sight. This theme runs throughout the epistle and is particularly evident in the classic chapter eleven.

This is Mark Hoeksema’s fourth study guide on a New Testament book.

Will Jesus’ return be secret or public? What about those who predict the time of this great event? What must the believer’s attitude be toward Christ’s coming in glory? How, then, must the church live?

Paul’s first and second epistle to the Thessalonians are covered by the author in fifteen lessons. He points to the sure answers found in the biblical account, so needed in our age of uncertainty.

Join the author in these fifteen study lessons as he leads the way through these two important letters to the church.

To read the preface and view a sample lesson, click here.

REVIEW

Studies in I & II Thessalonians, by Cornelius Hanko. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association (paperback) [reviewed by Prof. Robert D. Decker]

These are two excellent study guides [now combined into one book] on the epistles to the Thessalonians written by the Rev. Cornelius Hanko, a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches.

Rev. Hanko divides I Thessalonians into nine sections or lessons, the first of which is introductory in nature and provides an overview of the entire epistle. Each lesson begins with a brief introduction. This is followed by a series of questions and/or comments in outline form. There are numerous references to other Scripture passages which help the reader compare Scripture with Scripture. The author uses the same format in the six lessons or sections of the book on II Thessalonians.

This book could profitably be used by Bible study societies in the churches. They would be helpful to God’s people in their personal study of the Scriptures as well.

We highly recommend them.

The first inspired epistle written by the apostle Peter was designed to strengthen, encourage and comfort Christians in the midst of the “fiery trial” they would endure (I Peter 4:12; 1:7), and to hold out to them their great hope. The author of this booklet for Bible study groups leads into the various truths of this book in 16 lessons with questions (and accompanying Scripture references) that students can research before class. Space is given to write answers and class notes. This book may also be used for personal study of God’s Word.

The subject matter covered is shown in the lesson titles: Greeting and Benediction, The Joy of the New Testament Church, Hope That Never Dies, Fervent Love for the Brethren, The Chief Cornerstone, By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them, Patience in Suffering for God’s Sake, Admonition to Wives and Husbands, A Godly Walk, A Good Confession Amidst Persecution, Through Suffering to Glory, The Judge Is at the Door, Stewards in God’s House, Partakers of Christ’s Suffering, Admonition to Elders and Conclusion of the Epistle.

REVIEW

Studies in II Thessalonians by Cornelius Hanko (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association), 1994. 22 pp. 

The revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is the theme of II Thessalonians as identified by Rev. C. Hanko, a minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches.

“Especially important in this epistle,” our author explains, “is the instruction concerning the future rise of false prophets, the apostasy that must come before Christ’s return, and the man of sin who will appear in due time.”

Rev. Hanko divides II Thessalonians into six sections or lessons, the first of which is introductory in nature and provides an overview of the entire epistle. Each lesson begins with a brief introduction. This is followed by a series of questions and/or comments in outline form, plus “Memory Work” consisting of relevant Bible texts to be memorized. There are also numerous references to other passages from God’s Word which help the reader compare Scripture with Scripture.

This booklet could well be used not only on an individual basis but also by in a Bible study group.

In this first of the general or catholic epistles, James, the half brother of Jesus, writes to the Jewish converts to the Christian church scattered throughout the known world. His primary purpose is to define the relation between justification and the law. While teaching justification by faith, he also instructs that the works of the law are the fruit of a living faith.

This study guide is written in question form, which is intended to help God’s people define James’ concepts and their relation to each other. Answering these questions will lead to an understanding of this immensely practical but oft misunderstood book.

Mere formalism in worship is a danger that the church of Christ has had to fight in every age. It is so easy for church members to become accustomed to the practice of worship such that it becomes only a mere habit. Malachi was used of the Lord in a mighty way to warn the church of his day about the evil of worshipping God outwardly rather than from the heart.

In his four inspired chapters, Malachi also deals with God’s love and hatred, the priesthood, weariness in worship, the salvation of the Gentiles, marriages, mixed marriages, divorce, covenant children, the messenger of the covenant, spiritual refining, Jehovah’s unchangeableness, Christian giving, the coming of Elijah and much more.

In this book, Carl Haak seeks to open the hearts and minds of believers to the treasures of wisdom in the last book of the Old Testament. The nine lessons in this easy-to-use study guide come complete with introductions, study questions, activities and memory verses.

“So far, I’ve done lesson one [in Studies in Malachi]. I appreciate that the questions were ones I hadn’t thought to ask, or would not have come up with on my own. Having this study guide is forcing me to slow down and really take in what I am reading, instead of just reading the scriptures and moving on. There’s a big difference between reading something and knowing what you’ve read. – Montana, USA

Philippians is a personal letter of encouragement from Paul to a congregation he held dear.

The lessons in this booklet cover the epistle’s teachings on joy and contentment, unity of the church, and fellowship in the gospel. The incarnation of Christ and call for Christians to have the mind of Christ are also treated. The student learns what pleases the Lord as Paul praises the exemplary walk of the saints in Philippi.

The epistle to the Romans, written by Paul from Corinth, has four main purposes. First, Paul sets forth in a clear and logical manner the major Christian doctrines, with emphasis on the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Second, he intends to strengthen the church in its hope. Third, he instructs the mixed Jewish and Gentile church at Rome concerning the rejection of the Jews as a nation and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church. Fourth, he admonishes the church concerning living various aspects of the Christian life.

Answering the questions asked in this guide will lead God’s people to an understanding of both the doctrinal and practical aspects of Paul’s great letter to the Romans.

Why is Ruth a favourite book of the Bible for many Christians? We learn from the introduction to this study guide that “we are all Ruths at heart, foreigners and strangers brought into the covenant kingdom by the overwhelming grace of God.” Each time we read this book of the Bible, we are thrilled to see how our sovereign Father directs circumstances so that Ruth the Moabitess becomes a mother in the covenant line of Jesus in His incarnation.

The beautiful little book of Ruth shows how God preserves His church even in such dark times as the period of the Judges when every man did that which was right in his own eyes! Other important lessons contained in the seventh book of the Bible concern faithfulness and self-sacrifice, the importance of lively membership in Christ’s church, courtship and marriage, redemption and inheritance, etc.

The seven lessons in Carl Haak’s delightful study guide come complete with introductions, study questions, activities and memory verses.

This study guide can be read in Urdu.