Nehemiah - Build a Team

Nehemiah was an Israelite living in the capital city of the Persian Empire where he served as cupbearer to the king. About 170 years earlier, his people had been exiled to this region as a 70-year punishment from God. The Temple in Jerusalem, 800 miles away, had been destroyed and the walls of the city had been torn down. The 50,000 Israelites who returned to the promised land after the exile were vulnerable because the walls had not yet been rebuilt. So God placed a seemingly impossible task on Nehemiah’s heart. A study in leadership.

Where Is It Written?
Read Nehemiah 3:1-12, 28-30
What do you notice about the people rebuilding the wall? Are they professional wall builders? What do the community leaders do? Where does each person focus their efforts?

Read Nehemiah 4:1-3
What happens to the opposition as the work progresses?
What tactics do the opponents use to try to stop the work?

Read Nehemiah 4:13-14
Where were extra security measures placed?

How Goes Your Walk?
What breaks your heart? What is God calling you to do about it?
What opposition are you facing? What tactics does your opposition use to try to stop you?
How are you building your team?
How are you keeping your defenses up?

Nehemiah - Expect Opposition

Nehemiah was an Israelite living in the capital city of the Persian Empire where he served as cupbearer to the king. About 170 years earlier, his people had been exiled to this region as a 70-year punishment from God. The Temple in Jerusalem, 800 miles away, had been destroyed and the walls of the city had been torn down. The 50,000 Israelites who returned to the promised land after the exile were vulnerable because the walls had not yet been rebuilt. So God placed a seemingly impossible task on Nehemiah’s heart. A study in leadership.

Where Is It Written?
Read Nehemiah 2:1-10.
It was considered very disrespectfully to appear sad before a Persian King. What was Nehemiah risking in this conversation?
What does Nehemiah do just before he answers the king's question in verse 4?
What does Nehemiah ask for?
Who was disturbed by Nehemiah's plans? Why?

Read Nehemiah 2:11-20.
What did Nehemiah do shortly after arriving in Jerusalem?
Did Nehemiah make his plans known right away? Why?
What false rumor did his opponents spread?

How Goes Your Walk?
What breaks your heart? What is God calling you to do about it?
What opposition are you facing?
What allies are you finding?
Who will you ask to pray with you about it?

Nehemiah - What Breaks Your Heart?

Nehemiah was an Israelite living in the capital city of the Persian Empire where he served as cupbearer to the king. About 170 years earlier, his people had been exiled to this region as a 70-year punishment from God. The Temple in Jerusalem, 800 miles away, had been destroyed and the walls of the city had been torn down. The 50,000 Israelites who returned to the promised land after the exile were vulnerable because the walls had not yet been rebuilt. So God placed a seemingly impossible task on Nehemiah’s heart. A study in leadership.

Where Is It Written?
Read Nehemiah Chapter 1. What is the situation?
What is Nehemiah’s response in verse 4 after he hears the report?
What do you notice about Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 5-11?
Why do you think Nehemiah takes personal responsibility for the sins of the people in verse 6?

How Goes Your Walk?
What issue(s) in the world today break your heart?
What barriers keep you from feeling godly sadness about it?
What might God be leading you to do about it?

Putting God First

Columbia Grove Leadership Team member Tony Jones on tithing your time.