Overcoming Fear and Discouragement: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

The New Inductive Study

by Kay Arthur, David Lawson, Bob Vereen

This exciting study explores the lives of ordinary men and women who faced overwhelming situations and won. Readers go directly to God's Word to learn the precepts that will help them conquer fear and discouragement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Devotional, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites in this series of study guides!

Ezra and Nehemiah are not widely mentioned in significant portions of Scripture, but the obedience shown through these men is beautiful to read and very convicting. I love how these guides simply do their job and guide the reading without adding commentary, but I adore the addition of historical context. The use of cross-referencing in this one in particular truly helped to gain a greater understanding of the chronology of this portion of the Word.

Esther is a very popular book to study, and one that I've honesty found to be overrated until this read through- at least the tenth time I've read it. The themes of true obedience and unshakable faith are so inspiring. For one of, if not the only, Book of the Bible to not mention God directly, the lives of Esther and Mordecai are full of His provision and protection for His people!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this study. It is easy to understand. The assignments are not overwhelming and I have learned more with this format than any other format. I have already ordered more books in this series!

[Julie Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy all of Kay Arthur’s studies. Ruth is included in this book also. It’s only four chapters which I had previously studied when I studied the book of Ruth.

[Terri Milstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completed the Nehemiah portion of the study in prep for an upcoming sermon series. I find these inductive studies very helpful and enjoy the process Arthur guides me through. Definitely will pick up and complete more of these going forward as additional tools in my preparation whenever I am spending weeks in one book.

[Sharon Eudy Neufeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the Kay Arthur inductive study series. Gives me the tools to interpret the Bible for myself. Now Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are imbedded in my memory with all the wonderful things they taught me about God.