It matters little if we build big buildings and fill them with lots of people if what we build is not centered on what matters. If the church is not centered on the Word of God, then it is simply a social club that makes little eternal impact. God wanted His people to be centered on His Word so that they could proclaim his glory to the surrounding nations. He still wants that today.

Background: At this point in the account the man of God Nehemiah is joined by the prophet Ezra to hold what amounts to the world’s first Bible conference. After completing the walls and calling God’s people to come back to Jerusalem, the people gather on the first day of the year of the Jewish religious calendar, to recenter their lives on the Word of God. It is from this chapter that we learn how we as God’s people can recenter our lives on God’s Word.

Big Idea: How can we as God’s people recenter our lives on God’s Word?