In January, we will post the sermon scriptures each week for you to read and study followed by some questions and ways to apply the sermon and scripture to your life.
JANUARY 3:
”Rebuild: God Uses the Brokenhearted”
Nehemiah 1:1-11
1. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king. God used him. List two ways God is using you in your vocation?
2. Nehemiah was broken over the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem. People, marriages, families, churches, and nations are broken. Name something or someone you're broken over in life?
3. Nehemiah was a godly, visionary leader. Leadership is influence. As a believer in Jesus Christ (child, student, or adult), you're a leader. Identify one specific way God is using you as a leader?
JANUARY 10:
“Rebuild: Come, Let Us Build”
Nehemiah 2:11-20
1. Nehemiah spent four months waiting on the Lord. What has God taught you about waiting on Him and His timing? What do you do when you pray and Heaven seems silent?
2. Nehemiah was a visionary leader. He knew how to plan. As you make life and ministry decisions, what steps help you follow God's leadership and plan for the future? What have you learned from failing to plan?
3. Nehemiah followed God's leadership perfectly. However, he heard the voices of three complainers. How do you handle and respond to complaints in your life and ministry? How do you overcome the temptation to complain about others?
JANUARY 17:
Rebuild: A Four-Letter Word that God Likes
Nehemiah 3:1-2
1. Nehemiah was a visionary leader. He connected worship to work. Rebuilding the wall positioned people to worship the true and living God. How do you see your work? Is it a chore or an act of worship?
2. Nehemiah led the workers to work together. Working together allowed the wall to be rebuilt in fifty-two days. The workers were unified. Is the Lord's church unified in fulfilling His vision? How are you serving in the Lord's church?
3. Nehemiah connected the rebuilt wall to God's glory. He never led for his praise or ego. Nehemiah's eyes and heart were fixated on God's glory. As you serve the Lord, are you doing so for the applause of people or for the glory of God? How is God being glorified in your life and work?
JANUARY 24:
“Rebuild: It’s Seldom in a Job Description” Nehemiah 4:1-10
1. As Nehemiah led God's people to rebuild the wall, he and the workers faced opposition. As you lead your family or serve in the church, do you expect opposition? Can you name different forms of opposition that you've experienced?
2. Nehemiah and the workers faced opposition and its many consequences. The people were fatigued and discouraged. As you encounter opposition, what consequences have you faced? Have you battled physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges?
3. Nehemiah and the workers confronted their opposition. There are right ways and wrong ways to deal with opposition. How do you respond to the opposition in your life and ministry? Do you retaliate, defend your position, or push back? How are you relying on God to overcome opposition?
JANUARY 31:
“Rebuild: Finances, A Servant Leader, and Unnecessary Walls” Nehemiah 5:1-10
1. Nehemiah knew his Bible. He remembered the faithfulness of God as he led the workers to overcome opposition and rebuild the wall. How well do you know your Bible? How much time do you spend each week reading and studying God's Word? What needs to change for you to spend more time in the Word?
2. Nehemiah responded to internal division with conviction. He refused to look the other way. Nehemiah responded to the division with courage. Where do you see God's Word being disobeyed? How are you leading in the midst of internal division and disobedience?
3. Nehemiah was a devoted leader. He was promoted by the people. Nehemiah knew how to handle success. He refused to use his position for personal gain. Nehemiah stayed focused on God's vision. How do you handle failure? How do you handle success? Which one is easier for you to handle, failure or success?
4. Nehemiah saw unnecessary walls crumble. Relationships were restored. Work on the wall started again. What unnecessary walls have you built in your relationships and spiritual life? How can you see those walls crumble? Do you need to meet with someone and deal with unresolved issues?
FEBRUARY 14
“Rebuild: An iPhone, Unsigned Letters, and a Great Work” Nehemiah 6:1-4 & 7:1-3
1. Nehemiah faced many attacks from his enemies. His opponents wanted to distract him and the workers. Distractions are common in life. How have distractions affected your life, marriage, family, career, or ministry? How have you overcome distractions? Nehemiah refused to cease his great work.
2. Nehemiah and the workers completed the wall in fifty-two days. That result required leadership, focus, and determination. Nehemiah always led with the goal that God was glorified. As you lead, do you have written goals? If so, what are they? As you check goals off your list, who gets the glory? Nehemiah refused to stand in the spotlight. The glory always went to his Lord.
3. Nehemiah taught a valuable lesson. God's work is more than bricks and mortar. He uses people to serve Him and carry out His vision. Are you leading a great work? Are you seeking to please God or people? How do you handle attacks? Are you listening to God's voice or to the opinions of the crowds? Nehemiah heard God's voice and equipped His people to serve.
FEBRUARY 21
Rebuild: Have You Heard What Happened at Water Gate?
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6
1. Nehemiah was a visionary leader, and Ezra was a devoted teacher (Ezra 7:10). The people of Israel asked Ezra to read God's Word. The people were hungry for the Lord and His Word? Why do many people keep their Bibles closed? Will you ask God to give you a spiritual hunger?
2. The hand of the Lord was on Ezra. What an encouraging word from the Lord about His servant! Ezra had a teachable spirit. In regards to God's Word, are you an aggressive or passive listener? What helps you and me have a teachable spirit and understand God's Word?
3. The Word of God changes lives. God's people experienced a revival under Ezra's teaching ministry. God filled their spiritual void with His joy. Who is revival for from God's perspective? Do you need God to revive your spiritual life? What is the evidence of a Heaven-sent revival?
MARCH 7
Rebuild: A Shout Out to the Workers
Nehemiah 11:1-4
You'll notice that Nehemiah 11 includes many hard names to pronounce. God used Nehemiah and the workers to rebuild the wall and glorify Him. Pastor Ronny encourages you to prepare for this week's message by discussing the following questions.
1. Nehemiah and the workers faced imminent decisions. Their goal was to know and do God's will. What does it mean for people to cast lots? A common question many believers ask is, "How can I know God's will?" What areas of your life do you need to know God's will? How does He reveal His will?
2. Nehemiah and the workers saw God at work. The rebuilt wall provided safety and security for God's people. God was calling His people to move back into Jerusalem. What is God calling you to do? Is your "yes" on the table? How have you obeyed God's call in your life?
3. God honored Nehemiah and the workers. It's healthy for us to honor the many men and women who have served and are serving our nation. Effective ministry requires workers. How are you serving the Lord and His church? If you know the Lord and aren't serving, what's keeping you from being involved? Will you pray and ask the Lord to use you?
MARCH 14
Rebuild: What Happened at Church Today?
Nehemiah 12:27-30
Many people ask questions. For example, "What are you having for lunch? Where did you go on spring break? What happened at church today?"
In Nehemiah 12, the work of rebuilding the city stopped, and God's people came together to dedicate the rebuilt wall around Jerusalem. What happened at the dedication service? In this week's message, Pastor Ronny asks, " What happened at church today?"
1. Nehemiah and the workers honored the Lord. A question that God's people need to ask is, "Father, did we, as your church, honor you today?" If you're a leader in the Lord's church, do you honor HIm? How important are unity and integrity in today's church?
2. Nehemiah led the leaders and singers to go on top of the wall. As God's people gathered, praise erupted. Life is hard at times. When you find yourself in a storm, do you worship or worry? Do you praise or panic? Is gathering with your brothers and sisters in Christ a priority for you?
3. Nehemiah made a profound statement. He said, "And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away." Worship isn't limited to the four walls of a church facility. Do other people see that worship makes a difference in your life? Is God pleased with your devotion to worship?
MARCH 21 - NEHEMIAH STUDY GUIDE
Rebuild: The Absence of a Fairy Tale Ending
Nehemiah 13:4-9
Many books end with the phrase, "And they lived happily ever after." Nehemiah 13 ends with spiritual concerns. God's people followed a consistent pattern of behavior that we see in the Bible, a turning away from the Lord and His precepts.
1. Nehemiah faced disappointment as a leader. He saw God's people living disobedient. If you lead long enough, you'll deal with disappointment. Can you share how another person or group of people disappointed you? How did you handle the disappointment?
2. Nehemiah didn't live with his head in the sand. He was a strong, realistic leader. Nehemiah dealt with visible disobedience firsthand. What spiritual problems do you see in our day? What's your typical response to disobedience and conflict?
3. Nehemiah desired to finish well. Great leaders focus on the finish line. Can you share people's stories who finished well and those who finished not-so-well? How are you planning to finish life and ministry? What needs to change in your life now so you'll finish well later?
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