IronWorks Podcast #68 - Bible Background: Ezra-Nehemiah

Pastor Tyler's new book "Firebrand" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/bookstore/p/firebrand Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville! 👇 https://launcher.nucleus.church/launcher/4a03a22309b4f591def1 Welcome to Episode 68 of the IronWorks Podcast! Pastor Tyler and Zack start with some exciting updates from Calvary Chapel Trussville—especially the progress on the new church property—and then dive into a big, often touchy topic: church size, church growth, and building projects in a post–“church growth movement” world. From there, they shift into a deep-dive Bible backgrounds segment on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, unpacking how these books were written, how they fit into Old Testament history, and how the rise of the Persian Empire (and King Cyrus/Kurush) set the stage for Israel’s return from exile. In this episode, we cover: 🌱 Church Life, Buildings, and Growth 📖 Ezra & Nehemiah: How the Books Fit Together 📚 What Is 1 Esdras? (And Is It Scripture?) 🗺️ Where Ezra–Nehemiah Sits in Old Testament History 🦁 The Rise of the Medo-Persian Empire 🏛️ Babylon Falls: History Meets Daniel 5 🔏 Cyrus the Great, the Cyrus Cylinder, and Bible Prophecy 🌍 Life Under Persia: Yehud “Beyond the River” 📌 Resources & Next Steps Bible Background: Ezra-Nehemiah (Ironworks Podcast #68)