Main Point: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength

Opening Thoughts: We are going to be studying two chapters this week. Chapter seven contains a record of the people that returned in the first wave with Zerubbabel. These lists are important, but we will only be making general observations about this chapter.

Questions:

1. Read Nehemiah 7:1-3. After the walls and doors are completed, what roles does Nehemiah appoint? What does this indicate about Nehemiah’s larger purpose in rebuilding the wall?

2. Nehemiah also places Hanani and Hananiah in charge of defending Jerusalem. What qualifications do they possess that make them good candidates for leadership? Why are these qualifications important?

3. Read Nehemiah 7:4-73. What problem is Nehemiah trying to address by registering families? What kinds of people are listed in this chapter? Why would it be important to resettle Jerusalem this way?

4. Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. What is going on in this section of chapter eight? What do you notice about the people?

5. What is the role of Ezra, the other teachers, and the Levities? Why is it important for the people to understand what Ezra is teaching?

6. How do the people respond to the reading of God’s word in verse 6? What does their response tell us about their reverence for God?

7. The people also respond by weeping (8:9). Does this response surprise you? Why would the people weep as the Law is read and taught? What do the leaders tell the people to do instead of weeping? Why are they commanded to celebrate? What does it mean that, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:10)?

8. Read Nehemiah 8:13-18. What festival are the people celebrating? What event in Jewish history does this festival commemorate? How do the people’s current situation reflect the festival they are celebrating?

9. What did you learn about God in these verses? What did you learn about yourself? What is God asking you to understand or to do as a result of what you have learned?

10. By God’s grace what is one thing you can do to apply what you have learned this week?

Main Point: If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.

Questions:

1. Read Nehemiah 6:1-19. The threats made by Nehemiah’s opponents have changed and become much more personal. What would it feel to be in a situation like this? How does Nehemiah respond? What is consistent about his response?

2. What questions do you have about what you read?

3. Read Nehemiah 6:1-9. What was the intention of calling Nehemiah to the plains of Ono? How did Nehemiah know they were planning on harming him? What does his consistent response reveal about his character and faith?

4. How is the unsealed letter different than Nehemiah’s opponent’s previous communication? What are they trying to do? What does Nehemiah say in response? After he responds to his opponents, what does he ask God to do?

5. Have you faced situations where others have tried to stop doing the things that God has called you to? What did that look like? How did you respond?

6. Read Nehemiah 6:10-15. How does the final attempt to intimidate Nehemiah differ from the previous attempts? How does Nehemiah’s response change?

7. Nehemiah response was rooted in his identity – “Should a man like me run away?” What did he mean when he said this?

8. How does our understanding of who we in Christ allow us to meet the challenges we face?

9. Read Nehemiah 6:16-19. The wall was completed in 52 days! Even by modern standards this is a miracle. What impact did the wall’s completion have on the Israelites’ enemies? Why did they become afraid and lose their self-confidence?

10. How does God’s faithfulness in rebuilding the wall strengthen your perseverance when you experience challenges in life?

11. What did you learn about God in these verses? What did you learn about yourself? What is God asking you to understand or to do as a result of what you have learned?

12. By God’s grace what is one thing you can do to apply what you have learned this week?

Main Point: Love for God leads to compassion for others.

Questions:

1. Read Nehemiah 5:1-19. In chapter four, Nehemiah contended with the external threats and an overburdened work force. In chapter five, Nehemiah records a different internal problem. What issue is being addressed in these verses?

2. Did anything surprise you in the chapter? What questions do you have about what you read?

3. Read Nehemiah 5:1-6. A famine caused several challenges to the people in Jerusalem. What issues were brought to Nehemiah’s attention in these verses? How did certain “fellow Jews” take advantage of this situation?

4. How did this situation threaten to derail the work that had been accomplished? What would you do in this situation to address the issue?

5. Read Nehemiah 5:6-13. How did Nehemiah react to what was going on? Why do you think he was angry? Did he take immediate action on his anger?

6. How did Nehemiah confront the nobles and officials? What did he tell them to do?

7. Why did Nehemiah involve the priests when he had the nobles and officials take an oath? What was the significance of Nehemiah shaking out the folds of his robe?

8. Read Nehemiah 5:14 -19. What did Nehemiah document in this section? As the governor, what privilege did he not take advantage of? What was his motivation when he did this?

9. Nehemiah’s personal example is important part of his leadership. How is character and integrity related to being a good leader? How does character relate to being a witness for Jesus in the world?

10. What did you learn about God in these verses? What did you learn about yourself? What is God asking you to understand or to do as a result of what you have learned?

11. By God’s grace what is one thing you can do to apply what you have learned this week?

Main Point: Confident faith in God’s calling drives out fear.

Questions:

1. Read Nehemiah 4:1-23. The tension in this passage is palpable. Opposition from the outside and the weariness of the people threaten to derail the work on the wall. What do you notice the people opposing the builders? What do they say and do? What do you notice about the people building? How does Nehemiah respond? What actions does he take?

2. Are there situations where you have encountered opposition while trying to serve God? What did you experience in that situation?

3. Read Nehemiah 4:1-6. Sanballat and Tobiah insult and belittle the Jews as they work on the wall. What do they say?

4. How does Nehemiah respond to their insults? Does Nehemiah’s prayer make you uncomfortable? How does Nehemiah’s prayer compare to Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)?

5. Read Nehemiah 4:7-15. Nehemiah’s enemies are determined to stop work on the wall. They represent groups from every direction around Jerusalem. What is Nehemiah’s response to this threat?

6. How are the workers on the wall feeling? How does the presence of the enemy and the weariness of the workers contribute to fear?

7. Has weariness or fear prevented you from doing something? How did you handle the situation?

8. Read Nehemiah 4:14-15. What is Nehemiah’s response to the situation? What leadership qualities is he displaying? How can his example be an encouragement to you in times of weariness or fear?

9. Read Nehemiah 4:16-23. Nehemiah and the workers on the wall were under constant threat of attack. What was Nehemiah’s solution? What specific things did Nehemiah do to make sure the work could continue, and the people were protected? What leadership lessons can be gained from Nehemiah’s example?

10. What did you learn about God in these verses? What did you learn about yourself? What is God asking you to understand or to do as a result of what you have learned?

11. By God’s grace what is one thing you can do to apply what you have learned this week?

Main Point: Rebuilding a wall to rebuild a community.

Questions:

1. Read Nehemiah 3:1-32. As you are reading, try to pronounce the names out loud. What do you notice about the people mentioned in this record? List the occupations of the people who are working on the wall. What questions do you have after reading this passage?

2. In this section Nehemiah records the various groups and people who are working on the wall. Why do you think that he takes the time to record their names and work? Why is recognizing people an important part of leadership? What does this reveal about God?

3. Read Nehemiah 3:1. The High Priest and fellow priests are working on a section of wall near the temple. Why is it significant that they are working on the wall? Why is it significant the priests would be working on the Sheep Gate near the Temple?

4. Read Nehemiah 3:5. Not everyone participated in rebuilding the wall. Who is singled out in this verse?

5. To “put their shoulders to the work” is a reference to an ox putting on a yoke. Why do think these men refused to do work?

6. Read Nehemiah 3:10-11. It was common that people would repair sections of the wall close to their houses and with their families. Why would this strategy be important for the people working on the wall? How would this increase the people’s motivation?

7. Nehemiah involved people from many different backgrounds to rebuild the wall. Even under the best of circumstances this would have been a huge leadership challenge. What do we learn about Nehemiah’s leadership ability? What leadership principles can we gather from this text?

8. What did you learn about God in these verses? What did you learn about yourself? What is God asking you to understand or to do as a result of what you have learned?

9. By God’s grace what is one thing you can do to apply what you have learned this week?