Nehemiah Session Three

download Nehemiah Session Three

of 12

Transcript of Nehemiah Session Three

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    1/12

    23

    DAYONE:Re-readNehemiah3(textbelow).Usethenotecolumntotherighttojotdownwordsor

    phrasesthatstickouttoyou.

    Nehemiah3

    Eliashibthehighpriestandhisfellowpriestswent towork

    andrebuilttheSheepGate.Theydedicateditandsetits

    doorsinplace,buildingasfarastheToweroftheHundred,

    whichtheydedicated,andasfarastheTowerofHananel.2

    ThemenofJerichobuilttheadjoiningsection,andZakkur

    sonofImribuiltnexttothem.

    3TheFishGatewasrebuiltbythesonsofHassenaah.They

    laiditsbeamsandputitsdoorsandboltsandbarsinplace.4MeremothsonofUriah,thesonofHakkoz,repairedthe

    nextsection.NexttohimMeshullamsonofBerekiah,the

    sonofMeshezabel,maderepairs,andnexttohimZadok

    sonofBaanaalsomaderepairs.5Thenextsectionwas

    repairedbythemenofTekoa,buttheirnobleswouldnot

    puttheirshoulderstotheworkundertheirsupervisors.

    6TheJeshanahGatewasrepairedbyJoiadasonofPaseah

    andMeshullamsonofBesodeiah.Theylaiditsbeamsand

    putitsdoorswiththeirboltsandbarsinplace.7Nextto

    them,repairsweremadebymenfromGibeonand

    MizpahMelatiahofGibeonandJadonofMeronoth

    placesundertheauthorityofthegovernorofTrans-Euphrates.8UzzielsonofHarhaiah,oneofthegoldsmiths,

    repairedthenextsection;andHananiah,oneofthe

    perfume-makers,maderepairsnexttothat.Theyrestored

    JerusalemasfarastheBroadWall.9RephaiahsonofHur,

    rulerofahalf-districtofJerusalem,repairedthenext

    section.10Adjoiningthis,JedaiahsonofHarumaphmade

    repairsoppositehishouse,andHattushsonofHashabneiah

    maderepairsnexttohim.

    11MalkijahsonofHarimandHasshubsonofPahath-Moab

    SESSION THREE

    Notes:

    CircleeverytimeyouseethephraseNexttohim

    Circleeverytimeyouseethewordrepair.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    2/12

    24

    repairedanothersectionandtheToweroftheOvens.12

    ShallumsonofHallohesh,rulerofahalf-districtof

    Jerusalem,repairedthenextsectionwiththehelpofhis

    daughters.

    13TheValleyGatewasrepairedbyHanunandthe

    residentsofZanoah.Theyrebuiltitandputitsdoorswith

    theirboltsandbarsinplace.Theyalsorepairedathousand

    cubitsofthewallasfarastheDungGate.14TheDungGatewasrepairedbyMalkijahsonofRekab,

    rulerofthedistrictofBethHakkerem.Herebuiltitandput

    itsdoorswiththeirboltsandbarsinplace.

    15TheFountainGatewasrepairedbyShallunsonofKol-

    Hozeh,rulerofthedistrictofMizpah.Herebuiltit,roofingit

    overandputtingitsdoorsandboltsandbarsinplace.He

    alsorepairedthewallofthePoolofSiloam,bytheKings

    Garden,asfarasthestepsgoingdownfromtheCityof

    David.16Beyondhim,NehemiahsonofAzbuk,rulerofa

    half-districtofBethZur,maderepairsuptoapoint

    oppositethetombsofDavid,asfarastheartificialpooland

    theHouseoftheHeroes.17Nexttohim,therepairsweremadebytheLevitesunder

    RehumsonofBani.Besidehim,Hashabiah,rulerofhalfthe

    districtofKeilah,carriedoutrepairsforhisdistrict.18Next

    tohim,therepairsweremadebytheirfellowLevitesunder

    BinnuisonofHenadad,ruleroftheotherhalf-districtof

    Keilah.19Nexttohim,EzersonofJeshua,rulerofMizpah,

    repairedanothersection,fromapointfacingtheascentto

    thearmoryasfarastheangleofthewall.20Nexttohim,

    BaruchsonofZabbaizealouslyrepairedanothersection,

    fromtheangletotheentranceofthehouseofEliashibthe

    highpriest.21Nexttohim,MeremothsonofUriah,theson

    ofHakkoz,repairedanothersection,fromtheentranceofEliashibshousetotheendofit.

    22Therepairsnexttohimweremadebythepriestsfrom

    thesurroundingregion.23Beyondthem,Benjaminand

    Hasshubmaderepairsinfrontoftheirhouse;andnextto

    them,AzariahsonofMaaseiah,thesonofAnaniah,made

    repairsbesidehishouse.24Nexttohim,Binnuisonof

    Henadadrepairedanothersection,fromAzariahshouseto

    theangleandthecorner,25andPalalsonofUzaiworked

    oppositetheangleandthetowerprojectingfromtheupper

    palacenearthecourtoftheguard.Nexttohim,Pedaiahson

    ofParosh26andthetempleservantslivingonthehillof

    OphelmaderepairsuptoapointoppositetheWaterGatetowardtheeastandtheprojectingtower.

    27Nexttothem,themenofTekoarepairedanother

    section,fromthegreatprojectingtowertothewallof

    Ophel.

    28AbovetheHorseGate,thepriestsmaderepairs,eachin

    frontofhisownhouse.29Nexttothem,Zadoksonof

    Immermaderepairsoppositehishouse.Nexttohim,

    ShemaiahsonofShekaniah,theguardattheEastGate,

    maderepairs.30Nexttohim,HananiahsonofShelemiah,

    Notes:

    CircleeverytimeyouseethephraseNextto

    him

    Circleeverytimeyouseethewordrepair.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    3/12

    25

    andHanun,thesixthsonofZalaph,repairedanother

    section.Nexttothem,MeshullamsonofBerekiahmade

    repairsoppositehislivingquarters.31Nexttohim,

    Malkijah,oneofthegoldsmiths,maderepairsasfarasthe

    houseofthetempleservantsandthemerchants,opposite

    theInspectionGate,andasfarastheroomabovethe

    corner;32andbetweentheroomabovethecornerandthe

    SheepGatethegoldsmithsandmerchantsmaderepairs.

    Welltakeacloserlookatthenexttohimandrepair

    phrasesondayfour.

    Themapbelowisamapofthecitywalls.Thismayhelp

    yougetaframeofreferencebasedonwhatyouvereadinNehemiah3. TheJewishhistorian,Josephus,acontemporaryoftheApostlePaul(37AD100AD)wrotethatthecircumferenceofJerusaleminhisdaywas

    about33stadia,whichequals4.5miles.ManyarcheologistsbelievethatthewallsofJerusalemwereaboutthesameinbothNehemiah'sdayandJesus'day.

    Notes:

    CircleeverytimeyouseethephraseNexttohim

    Circleeverytimeyouseethewordrepair.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    4/12

    26

    DAYTWO:Today,wewilldrawsomeparallelsbetweenwhatthewallrepresentsforthepeopleof

    Jerusalemandsomeofthethingstheyrepresentfordisciplesoftoday.Letsjumprightin.WhywoulditbeimportantforJerusalemtorebuilditswalls?(Listasmanyreasonsasyoucan.)

    InthedaysofNehemiah,havingafortifiedcitywasessentialtosurvival.Butthebrokendownwallsof

    Jerusalemwereproblematicformorereasonsthanjustsecurity.Thewidespreadbrokennesswas

    somewhatsymbolicofthebrokennessoftheIsraelitepeople.YearsoffollowingGodfollowedbyyearsofwandering,yearsofdefeatfollowedbyyearsofexile,andnow,upontheirreturn,perhapsa

    struggletoknowthatabetterworldwaspossible.Thisrebuildingprojectwasmuchmorethanre-fortifyingthecity.Thisprojectwasaboutrebuildingapurposeandavisionintheheartsofthe

    peopleofGod.

    Inwhatwayscandiscipleshelpothersrebuildanddiscovertheirpurposeandvisionas

    Nehemiahdidforthepeople?

    TheJerusalemwallwasacontinuousstructurewithnobreak.Thestructureprovidedaboundary

    forthepeople.Makealistofreasonswhy

    havingstructures&boundaries(orpersonaldisciplines)areessentialtoadiscipleslife.

    _______________________________

    _______________________________

    _______________________________

    _______________________________

    SESSION THREE

    SIDE NOTE:HowdidJesushelphisdisciplesrebuildanddiscover

    theirpurposeandvision? Onethingthatcomestomind

    isJesusencounterwiththedisciplesinJohn21.During

    thecrucifixionallbutJohnabandonedtheirmasterand

    teacher,Jesus.Peterwasespeciallydistraughtbecause

    ofhisdenial(threetimes).

    Thediscipleshavegonebacktotheirformerwayoflivingandarefishingonthelake(ratherunsuccessfully).Jesus,

    unbeknownsttothedisciples,iscookingbreakfastonthe

    beachandyellsouttothecrewinstructingthemto

    throwtheirnetstotheotherside.Suddenly,theirnets

    arefullandtheydiscoveritsJesus.Peterisovercome

    andjumpsin,fullyclothed,andswimsforshore.The

    disciplesfollow.

    ReadJohn21:15-25.HowdoesJesusrebuildPeterand

    empowerhim?

    Ifyouwanttotakethetime,readActs2toseehow

    PeterlivesouthispurposeandstatedtheGod-sizedvisiontothemasses.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    5/12

    27

    Acompletedwallmadethepeoplelessvulnerabletoenemyattacksandwasthereforeessentialtotheirsurvival.Inthesameway,adisciplemustformboundariestohelppreventattacksfromthe

    enemy.Establishingpersonalandspiritualdisciplinescanhelpsetlife-preservingboundariesforfollowersofGod.

    Whatpersonaldisciplineshavebeenhelpful/wouldbehelpfulforadisciple?

    InherbookTheSpiritualDisciplinesHandbook,Adele

    Calhoundefinesthespiritualdisciplinesasintentional

    practices,relationshipsandexperiencedthatgivepeoplespacetokeepcompanywithJesus.Thebasicrhythmof

    disciplinescanbefoundinActs2:42,whenbelievers

    devotedthemselvestoteaching(apractice),fellowship(relationships),thebreakingofbread(anexperience)and

    prayer(anotherpractice).DesireandloveforGodshouldfuelthesedesires.Takealookatthelisttotheright.

    Circlethedisciplinesthatyouconnectwithandthen

    worktolivethesedisciplinesinyourdailylife.

    Howcanthesespiritualdisciplineshelpyouinyourfaithjourney?

    AccountabilityisanaddedelementthatcanandwillhelpadiscipleremainrootedinChrist.Itwasanessentialpart

    oftherebuildingprocessforNehemiahandtheIsraelites

    aswell.Aspartofyourassessment,youwerechallengedtofindanaccountabilitypartner.

    Thefirststepinworkingwithanaccountabilitypartneris

    oftenthehardestbutdontmakeitharderthanitis.A

    simplecontactonceaweekisagoodwaytostart.Phonecall,text,e-mailormeetforcoffeeitdoesntmatter.Just

    aimtobuildfromthere.Agoodquestiontoaskeachother

    isassimpleasthis:Howisitwithyoursoul?

    Trythatandseewhathappens.

    SIDE NOTE:Disciplineyourselfforthepurposeof

    godliness(1Timothy4:7NASB)

    LISTOFSPIRITUALDISCIPLINESfrom The

    SpiritualDisciplinesHandbook

    Accountability

    Study

    Prayer

    Celebration

    Chastity

    Community

    Compassion

    Detachment

    Discernment

    Discipling

    Examen

    Fasting

    Hospitality

    Journaling

    Justice

    Meditation

    PrayingScripture

    Rest

    Retreat

    Sabbath

    Abandonment

    Silence

    Simplicity

    Solitude

    Submission

    Unity Witness

    Worship

    Tolearnmoreaboutanyofthese

    SpiritualDisciplinescontactTim.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    6/12

    28

    [Re]turntoMe:RebuildingbroughtpurposeandvisiontothepeopleanditbroughthonortoGodwhohadreturnedthemfromexile.NotonlyhadtheyreturnedtotheholycityofJerusalembut

    throughNehemiahsleadership,theywerereturningtoGod.

    Thinkofyourfaithjourneythusfar.PerhapstherehavebeentimeswhenyoureturnedtoGodasa

    resultofsomeonewhohelpedyouopenyoureyesto

    theloveofGodinafreshway.

    PauseforamomentandthankGodforthatperson

    orpersonswhohavehelpedyouprogressalonginfaith.Listsomenamesbelow.

    EvenasNehemiahsvisioninspiredthepeopleto

    rebuildthewallsforprotectionandrestorepride,othersymbolicwallswerecomingdown.Aspeopleworkedtogether,thewallsofselfishlivingwere

    beginningtocrumble.(WewilldiscussthismoreonDayFour).Thisisanimportantreminderfordisciplestoday.AswestudyaboutNehemiahrebuildingwalls,rememberthattheessenceofrebuildingGodsvisionoftenmeansbreakingdownwallsandbarriersthathinderourrelationship

    withHimandourwitnesstotheworld.(Reflectionquestion:Whatwallsinyourlifemayneedtocrumble?)

    [Re]dedicate:Agreatexampleissetfromthebeginningofthisrebuildingproject.Thehighpriestandfellowpriestsarethefirstonestogettoworkrebuilding.Itsinterestingthatthefirstthingthey

    repairistheSheepGate(3:1-2).TheSheepGatewasnearthetemple.SheepwouldbebroughtinfromthecountrysidethroughthisgateandtheunblemishedsheepwerechosenforsacrificetoGodin

    theTemple.ThehighpriestswereshowingwheretheprioritiesofIsraelshouldbe:sacrificeand

    dedicationtoGodcomesfirst!

    ThepriestsandNehemiaharebeginningtore-institute

    changeintothecultureoftheIsraelitepeople.Thepeople

    didntneedahandout,theyneededdirection.PerhapstheydidntrealizewhattheyneededuntilNehemiahcamealong

    andremindedandinspiredthem(2:17-18).

    [Re]readvs.3:1-2.Whatexampledidthissetforthe

    people?Arethereareasofyourlifethatmayneed

    dedicated,orre-dedicatedtoGod?

    verb1 [ no obj. ] come or go back to a place or

    person:

    (return to) go back to (a particular state or

    activity):

    (return to) turn one's attention back to

    (something):

    (esp. of a feeling) come back or recur after a

    period of absence:

    NEXT STEPS: Take a few moments to think about the individuals in your community, in yournation and/or your world who have been institutors of change. Make a list on this sheet. How did

    their vision lead to the greater good?

    Changesbegin

    whenpeoplein

    leadershipset

    theright

    exampleanduse

    theirinfluenceto

    dowhatsright,

    nomatterwhat.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    7/12

    29

    DAYTHREE:Atfirstglance,Nehemiah3appearsasarathermonotonousaccountof40crews

    workingside-by-side,in45sectionsonthewall.Untilnow,thepeopleofJerusalemareadisconnected,disparatepeoplefromeveryprofession,rank,classandage.Theyweremerchants,

    shopkeepers,templeservants,farmers,herdsmenanddaughters,who,after140yearsweresuddenlymobilizedintocommunityandgalvanizedintoacommoncause.Theywereshakenoutoftheirownself-centeredconcernstoshareinsomethingbiggerthanthemselves.Somethingorsomeone

    tippedthemovertheedge.

    Wediscoveredinchapters1and2thattheuneasinessinNehemiahsspiritledtodeepprayerthat

    believedthatGodcanandmustchangethings.Prayerledtocouragebeingunafraidtopulltogether

    theresourcestodoitandthatledtoconviction:

    TheconvictionofCALLINGthatGodhassetsomethingintheheart, TheconvictionofPRESENCEthatGodhassetHishandonyou, TheconvictionofSUCCESSthatGodwilldowhathehaspromised.

    Butsomethingelseexplainshisextraordinarinessthat

    createdanoutbreakofchangethatledtoChapter3.In

    Nehemiah2:17-18,wediscoverNehemiahalsohadaGod-perspective.PeoplewhoseewithGodseyessee

    whatotherscannot.Theyareprophets.Prophetssee

    whatothersmustseeandtheygalvanizepeopletomove.

    InNehemiah2,Nehemiahappealedtotheireyes, Youseethetroublewearein?(2:17a).Itsnotthatthepeople

    wereunawareoftheirdesolationortheirinsecure

    conditions.Itsnotthattheycouldnotseetheruined

    fortifications,thecharredposts,wallsbadlybreached,

    theruinsofformershopsandhomes,thegraffiti,THE

    MESS!Forcloseto140yearstheysawthis.

    TheIsraeliteshadafrontrowseattothedesolationin

    fullHD,butneglectedtopayanyattentiontoit.

    SESSION THREE

    (Questionstoponderanddiscussasagroup)

    HowwasNehemiahtippedovertheedge?

    Whatcreatesatippingpointoranoutbreakofchange?Whatignitesamovement?

    AvisionaryleaderlikeNehemiahwithacompellingmessagecanigniteaGod-

    movement.Hewasavisionarypersonwithanexceptionalmessagethatgalvanizeda

    peopletorebuildawall.Whatisitthattransformedasimplecupbearerintoa

    personofvision?

    Whatisitthattransformsus?

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    8/12

    30

    TheysawJerusalemaslittlemorethanabrokensymbolofsomescatteredtribalpeoplewhooncebelievedtheywereGodschosenpeople.

    Buttheyhadmissedthedarkersideofitall.Nehemiahshinedalightonthedarkness.Hewas

    focusingtheirsightsonsomethingtheymostlikelysuppressed.

    Aretherelevelsofdespairthatwemightbeacceptinginourchurch?Yourcommunity?

    Howeasydoweaccepttherealitiesofhopelessnessinourownculture?Inourlives?

    Nehemiahessentiallysays,CanyouseehowfarweareremovedfromthelifeGodintendedforusto

    have?Canyouseethedisgrace?(2:18)

    Nehemiahspokewithatruthfulnessbornoutofanguishanddespair.Thereisnoscolding,noreprimanding;thepeopleneedednoneofthis.Whattheydidneed,however,wastobebroughtoutof

    theirnumbnessandcomplacencytoldperhapsforthefirsttimethat:THISISNOTTHEWAYITIS

    SUPPOSEDTOBE.

    Whatinyourlifeisnotthewayitissupposedtobe?Whatinthechurchisnotthewayitissupposedtobe?

    Thepropheticvoicecomesalongandsplashescoldwateronourassumptionsandsays,No,thisisnot

    thewayitissupposedtobe.Nehemiahhadaholyimaginationanditchallengedthecommonperception.Asaresultitbegantoawakenthepeopleoutoftheirdeepsleep.

    But,Nehemiahmovedtotheothersideofthevisionarytask:HOPE!Heawakenedthehopethatwas

    sleeping.Hegavethemwordstheyhadlongforgotten.Hechallengedthepeopletostandupagainst

    despair,againstthisperceivedpermanentdishonor:Letsbuildsowenolongerhavetoliveindisgrace.ItoldthemaboutthehandofmyGoduponme.(2:17-18)

    Nehemiahwasdoingfarmorethanbuildingawall.Hewashelpingpeopletoseeagain.HelpingpeopleseeGodintheirmidstaGodwhoneverquits,evenwhenourunfaithfulnesswarrantsHis

    quitting.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    9/12

    31

    DAYFOUR:ReadingthroughNehemiah3,oneofthe

    firstthingsthatweseeisthatthewholeprocesswasatotalteameffort.Ifthewallsandgatesweregoing

    toberebuilttheneveryonewouldhavetoplaytheirpart.

    InDayOneyounotedthemanynexttophrases,theHebrewisliterallyuponhishand.Wewouldequate

    thistomean:handinhand.

    ReadEzekiel22:30.Godhasapurposeforeachandeveryoneofus.TheworkoftheKingdomwas

    notmeanttobedonebyaselectfew.RebuildingthewallscouldnotbedonebyNehemiahalone.Lookatthemaponpage25.Thewalliscontinuous.Everyonesspaceandplaceatthewallwas

    necessary.Eachmemberhadtodohisorherpart.Notrebuildingwasnotanoptionforthe

    Israelites.Ifonesectionofthewallwasnotrebuilt,itwouldleavetheentireIsraelitecommunityvulnerabletoattack.[Re]readNehemiah3:5.Someonehadtocoverforthenobles.Howdoesthat

    parallel,ornotparallelthechurch?Arewe,thechurch,buildingupthewallorareyoutearingdownotherssections?

    SESSION THREE

    verb

    1 [ with obj. ] embody or represent

    (something) in a faithful or appropriate

    way:

    2 [ no obj. ] (reflect on/upon) think deeply

    (Questionstoponder)

    HowhasGodcalledyoutothesameprophetictaskasNehemiah?HowhasGodcalledtheChurch?

    HowdowehelppeopleseethehopewehaveinChrist,eveninthemidstofbrokenness?

    Howdowecommittorebuildthebrokenness,inthesectionofthewallGodputs

    us?

    Howdowerepairnexttoanotherandsay,Handmeanotherbrick?

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    10/12

    32

    [Re]lyingonEveryone:Everyonehasaplaceatonethewall.Ephesians4:11-13:AndHegavesomeasapostles,andsomeasprophets,andsomeasevangelists,andsomeaspastorsandteachers,for

    theequippingofthesaintsfortheworkofservice,tothebuildingupofthebodyofChrist;untilweallattaintotheunityofthefaith,andoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,toamatureman,tothemeasureof

    thestaturewhichbelongstothefullnessofChrist.

    EverymemberoftheBodyofChristhassomethingtooffer.ReadRomans12:3-8,1Corinthians12:1-

    18and1Peter4:10.HowdotheseversesrelatetoNehemiah3andtheIsraelitesrebuildingthewall?

    Youwillnoticethatthegiftsthatpeoplehavearefortheequippingofthesaintsfortheirworksof

    service.ThisiswhatwelearnfromNehemiah.Somemayhavebeengiftedwithparticularskillsandtheyweretoworkinthoseareas,butallhelpedregardless.Everyonehadsomethingtooffer.[Re]readNehemiah3:8.Goldsmithsandperfumemakersarenotconstructionworkers.Yet

    theyparticipatedintherebuildingprocess.Whatcanwetakefromtheirexample?

    MaybeyouareunsureofyourgiftandwhatGodiscallingyoutodowithyourthem.Maybeyoudontthinkyouhaveanythingtooffer.Ifthatisyou,thenconsiderHananiah!Hewasaperfumerbytrade

    andyethewasstillwillingtogethishandsdirtyandhelpdohispartbyrepairingpartofthewall.

    Nowifaperfumercanbuildawall,thenyoucanhelpinsomewayinthebuildingofGodsKingdom!

    SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY:

    Inyoursmallgroupsgoaroundthecircleandeveryoneshareoneareaoftheirgiftedness.Asa

    grouptakenote.Howcanyoursmallgroupusethecollectivegiftsofyourgrouptoadvancethe

    KingdomofGod?

    (makenoteofeveryonesgiftednessbelow)

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    11/12

    33

    [Re]buildingoftenbeganathome:OneofthethingsthischapterrevealsisthatoftentheworkersbeganrebuildingthewallsofJerusalemoutsidetheirownhomefirst.Theythoughtofothersand

    knewthatcollectivelytheywouldcontributetothewallasawhole;yetindividuallytheystillwantedtomakesuretheirownhomeshadasolidboundariesandstructuresprotectingthem.

    [Re]read2:8:NoticewhatNehemiahasksforandinwhatorder.Whatdoesthissayabouthispriorities?HowcouldthatbeanexampletotheIsraelitesandtous?

    Howdoesthisbegininyourhome?AsafamilyhowcanyouworktogethertobuilduptheKingdomofGod?Whatpracticalthingscouldyourfamilydotoshowyourcommunitythelove

    ofGod?

    Theprincipleforusistomakesurewehavetakencareofourlivesathomefirstbeforeweareusedtohelpothers.Wehavetomakesurethatwearenotdifferentpeopleinandoutsideofchurch,norare

    weanydifferentwhenweareathomealonewhennoonecanseeus.OneofthethingsthatJesushatedthemostwasthehypocrisyofthePharisees.TheylikedtobeseenasspiritualamongthepeoplewhileinrealitytheywereactuallywhitewashedtombsJesussaid.LetusallmimicNehemiahs

    menandmakesurethatourhomelifeistakencareoffirstbeforeanyministeringorservicetoothersisundertaken.

    NEXT STEPS: Read the Hebrews verse below.

    Our lives and actions are important to the Lord. So dont lose heart in your work for the Lord

    knowing that God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you

    have helped his people and continue to help them.(Hebrews 6:10)

    Working together as a body of believers will not go unnoticed by God the Father.

    Take joy in your service and know that you are not alone.

  • 7/31/2019 Nehemiah Session Three

    12/12

    34

    DAYFIVE:Todayisaboutservice.Eachsmallgroupshouldbrainstormforasimple,practical

    waytoserveintheWadsworthcommunity.Eachgroupshoulddecideonaprojectandaimtocompleteitwithinthenexttwoweeks.Thisserviceprojectdoesnthavetobeagroupactivity,but

    100%ofthegroupshouldparticipate.Meaningthegroupdoesntnecessarilyhavetosetasideaseparatetimetomeetupandperformataskindividualscouldworkonpartofthetaskontheirownthatcouldbethenincludedintopartofagreatergoal.

    Jotdownsomeideastosharewithyourgroup.

    Becreative,butdontoverthinkthisproject.HowmightyourgroupserveandbeawitnessintheWadsworthcommunity?Thinkoutsidethebox!

    SERVICEisoneofthefiveareasofthediscipleshipprocess.(AcommitmenttolivethelifethatisworthyoftheGospel.)Practicereconciliation;

    Resistevil,pursuepeacewithjustice;

    Sharetheredeeming,healing,creativeloveofGodinwordanddeedasinvitationtootherstoexperiencetransformingloveofGod;

    Intentionallycultivaterelationshipswithsomeoneoutsidechurchwalls.

    SESSION THREE