Bethany Bible Study

Nehemiah 13

JERUSALEM IN RUINS (SPIRITUALLY)

JERUSALEM IN DECLINE: What is the context for this spiritual decline? How long did Nehemiah stay in Jerusalem? Why did he return? How long was he away? What did he expect to see on his return and what did he observe?

FAILURES #1 and #2 (1-9): What are the two failures identified? How did Israelites discover their failure #1? How did they react? How was the house of God desecrated (failure #2) and how did Nehemiah react?

FAILURES #3-#5(6-31): What were these three failures? How did Nehemiah react? What does it say about man’s ability to honor the covenant?

Nehemiah 11

JERUSALEM RESETTLEMENT

JERUSALEM RESTTTLEMENT(1-36): Why is Jerusalem called the ‘holy city’? Why was it critical to repopulate the city? Who were the initial occupants? How were other settlers selected? Why was there a reluctance to return to Jerusalem? What were the broad categories of people who returned?

JERUSALEM PRIESTS and LEVITES (12:1-26): List the priest sand Levites during different generations of the returned exiles.

Nehemiah 10

ISRAEL’s COVENANT WITH GOD

THE COVENANT (29-39): What were the three main elements of the covenant?

Nehemiah 10

ISRAEL’s COVENANT WITH GOD

THE COVENANT (1-28): What prompted the signing of the covenant? Who initiated the covenant? Who are the parties to the covenant? Who signed the written covenant? Who consented verbally to the agreement? Is the covenant binding?

ELEMENTS OF THE COVENANT (29-39): What were the three main elements of the covenant? What would be the outcome of keeping the covenant?

Nehemiah 9

LONGEST PRAYER (CONTD.):

REVIVAL THROUGH WORSHIP & CONFESSION

GOD’s FAITHFULNESS & MAN’s UNFAITHFULNESS (16-36): How did God display his faithfulness? How did the people respond? Did God forgive or abandon?

Did people continue to repeat the same mistakes? How does God respond to repeated failures?

THE DECISION (37): What did Israelites decide at the end of their prayer of reflection & confession?

Nehemiah Chapter 9

LONGEST PRAYER: REVIVAL THROUGH WORSHIP & CONFESSION

ASSEMBLY (1-3): Who all gathered? What was the purpose of the gathering? How long did they read the Word and Worship? What is the basis for true revival?

CALL TO WORSHIP (4-5): Who lead the call to worship? What are some reasons to praise God?

GOD’s FAITHFULNESS & MAN’s UNFAITHFULNESS (6-36): How did God display his faithfulness? How did the people respond? Did God forgive or abandon? Did people continue to repeat the same mistakes? How does God respond to repeated failures?

Nehemiah Chapter 8

Context

• Shift from physical rebuilding (walls) to spiritual restoration
• Focus moves from Nehemiah to Ezra the scribe
• Takes place during Feast of Trumpets (7th month, 1st day)

Reading God's Word (v.1-8)

• People gathered at Water Gate, requested to hear the Law
• Ezra read for 6 hours from elevated wooden pulpit
• 13 Levites helped translate/explain (Hebrew to Aramaic)
• People's response:
  • Stood in reverence
  • Said "Amen, Amen" with lifted hands
  • Remained attentive throughout

Two Responses (v.9-12)

1. Weeping - Conviction of sin
2. Joy - Leaders reminded them to celebrate the holy day

Key verse: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (v.10)

Instructions:

• Eat, drink, and share with those who have nothing
• Understanding God's word brings both repentance and joy

Discovery & Obedience (v.13-18)

• Day 2: Leaders gathered for deeper study
• Discovered Feast of Tabernacles instructions
• Hadn't been properly celebrated since Joshua's time
• Immediately built booths and celebrated 7 days
• Daily Scripture reading
• Result: "very great gladness"

Key Applications

1. Foundation for Revival

• True revival comes from God's Word and prayer
• Not from programs but from hearts touched by the Spirit

2. Essential for Strength

• Like house built on rock (Matthew 7)
• Provides stability during life's challenges

3. Preacher's Role

• Edify, not entertain
• Help listeners understand and apply
• Practice before preaching (Ezra 7:10)

4. God's Word is Effective

• Never returns void (Isaiah 55:11)
• 6 hours of reading transformed the people

5. Our Response to Scripture

• Desire it
• Read regularly
• Understand the meaning
• Apply to life
• Share with others

Main Lessons

• Spiritual restoration requires returning to God's Word
• Understanding is as important as reading
• Scripture brings conviction leading to repentance AND joy
• Immediate obedience results in blessing
• Leaders must delegate according to spiritual gifts
• Corporate worship and personal study are both essential
• When hearts are prepared, God speaks powerfully through His Word

Chapter Theme: God's Word is the foundation for spiritual revival, bringing repentance, joy, and transformation when read, understood, and obeyed.

Nehemiah 7

REBUILDING OF GODLY COMMUNITY BEGINS

FIRST STEPS (1-3): What was Nehemiah’s focus after completion of walls & gates? Who did he appoint to govern? Why were the chosen? Who else were appointed? What instruction were given? Why is continued security important?

NEHEMIAH’s BURDEN (4-5): What was the condition of the city? What was missing? How did Nehemiah go about resolving the problem?

THE GROUP & THEIR CONTRIBUTION (6-73): Who is in the list of the people who moved to city? Why weren’t some grouped as priests? What was donated to the treasury? What inspired them to contribute generously?

Nehemiah 6

ATTACKS ON NEHEMIAH | WALL FINISHED!!

DECEPTIVE INVITATION (1-4): What was the condition of the walls? Who invited Nehemiah and what prompted the invite? Why did Nehemiah reject the invitation? What reason did he give? How could Nehemiah discern their evil motive? Do all have discernment? Was God’s work a priority for Nehemiah?

SLANDER & LIES (5-9): What lies did the letter contain? What was the role of prophets? What was the purpose of spreading lies and slander? How did Nehemiah respond to such personal attacks?

TRAP TO SIN AGAINST GOD(10-14): Who was Shemiah? How did he try to lure Nehemiah to commit sin? What was Nehemiah’s response?

WALL FINISHED (15-19): How long did it take? What was the reaction of the enemies? Why did evil Tobiah continue to attract followers?

Nehemiah 5

OPPRESSION FROM INSIDERS

GREED & SELFISHNESS OF THE RICH(1-5): Why was there an outcry against the rich? In what ways were the rich oppressing and exploiting the poor? Were the rich helping the poor by lending? What Jewish laws were being broken by the rich?

NEHEMIAH’s RIGHTEOUS ANGER (6-13): How did Nehemiah confront and challenge the rich? What example did he give them? What corrective solution did he offer the rich, and how did they respond?

NEHEMIAH’s SELFLESS EXAMPLE (14-19): How does Nehemiah exemplify godly, selfless, and servant leadership? What motivated him to be different from other leaders? What was his prayer?