Bible reading (ESV)
Ezekiel 37:1–14
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.
2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.
3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
8 And I saw, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’
12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And you shall know that I am the LORD when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.
Observation questions (3–4)
- Read Ezekiel 37:1–3. What does Ezekiel see in the valley, and how does he answer God’s question “Can these bones live?” What does that answer reveal about his posture toward God? [01:30:05]
- Look closely at Ezekiel 37:4–6. What specific commands and promises is Ezekiel told to speak to the bones? How do those words move from promise to pictured action in the text?
- Verse 11 says the people “are saying… ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost.’” What is the content of that internal conversation and why does God show Ezekiel this vision because of it? [01:35:01]
- Trace the sequence in verses 7–10 (sound/rattling → bones join → sinews/flesh/skin → breath → alive). Which elements are emphasized and what is the turning point in the sequence? [01:46:46]
Interpretation questions (3–4)
- How should Ezekiel’s reply “O Lord GOD, you know” be interpreted: as humility that opens the door to God’s possibility, as a lack of faith, or both? What does the sermon suggest is the spiritual value of that response? [01:30:05]
- In what way does the sermon’s point that “their inner conversation shapes their valley” explain why the vision was shown? How can private thinking function as a prophetic force in a person’s life? [01:35:01]
- The Lord commands Ezekiel to “prophesy” to the bones. What distinguishes prophetic declaration from wishful thinking or denial? What role does obedience to speak play in the text and in the sermon’s argument? [01:37:43]
- Why does the narrative reserve breath as the final step? What does the emphasis on breath teach about the relationship between human speech (proclamation) and the Spirit’s work (sudden life/gift)? [01:46:46]
Application questions (5–7)
- Identify one “valley” you are currently walking through (health, marriage, job, finances, shame, grief). Write down the exact sentence(s) you most often tell yourself about that situation. Now write a Scripture-based sentence you will use to replace it. Commit to saying that new sentence out loud every morning this week. [01:35:01]
- What is one concrete step you will take this week to “open the door” to God even if you don’t feel faith? (Examples: 5 minutes of honest prayer at bedtime, a 10-minute praise playlist when you wake, calling a trusted leader for prayer.) Name the step and when you will do it. [01:30:05]
- Choose one short Scripture (one verse) you will “prophesy” over your situation. Where and when will you speak it aloud each day (mirror, car, phone alarm, mealtime)? Tell the group who will hold you accountable and when you’ll report back. [01:37:43]
- Think of a time when God surprised you beyond expectations. What did you say or do before that surprise came? How will you change your speaking or posture now so you create space for another “holy surprise”? [01:46:46]
- Write a one-minute declaration you can say over your family, body, or future using the pattern “Thus says the Lord…” or “I declare…” Practice it once in the group and commit to speaking it five times this week at set times. Share when and where you will speak it. [01:49:39]
- Is there a habit, relationship, or repeated thought that helps keep you in the “old dry bones” narrative (shame, bitterness, cynicism, avoiding prayer)? Name it and pick one specific first step this week toward repentance or repair (call someone, delete an account, begin a short confession/prayer each morning). [01:35:01]
Use these questions to guide honest sharing, short readings of Ezekiel 37 together, and concrete accountability. Keep each person’s responses practical: name the exact words they will stop saying and the exact Scriptures or phrases they will begin to declare.
