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GROUP FELLOWSHIP
SUMMER 2001
NEHEMIAH: ‘A PURPOSE-DRIVEN PEOPLE’ - stirred up to serve!
NEHEMIAH 2: ACTION TAKEN
In Nehemiah we see that REAL CONCERN, EARNEST PRAYER, CAREFUL THOUGH AND A GOD-GIVEN
OPPORTUNITY precede COMMITTED ACTION!
I. SEIZING GOD’S MOMENT (NEHEMIAH) 2.1-16
THE MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY : 2. 1-9
Nehemiah’s patient waiting:
- We see Nehemiah seizing his chance. How long did he have to pray and wait before
he got a golden (God-given) opportunity? (Compare 1.1. with 2.1). What does this
say to us by way of challenge and encouragement?
Nehemiah’s careful planning:
- What (in 1.11 – 2.9) tells us that Nehemiah not only spent the waiting time praying
but planning too? How ready was he when the big chance came?
- What is the relationship (when we do something for God) between our praying, our
planning and God’s divine intervention? What do you feel we are weakest at: persistent
prayer, patient waiting, careful planning or expecting God’s intervention?
Nehemiah’s courageous faith: (2.1-19)
- Why was Nehemiah’s moment with the King such a heart-stopping moment? Why was he
‘very much afraid’? Why were courage and faith the need of the hour?
- How do we get on in the moments that demand faith and courage? Are we sorely tempted
to ‘chicken out’?
- How do you think Nehemiah felt going home that night?? Is this an encouragement?
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: 2.11-16
Nehemiah’s impressive realism:
- Nehemiah undertook a secret night inspection: Why? Why inspect? Why in secret? What
impact do you think it had on his spirit and faith to see what he saw? How do you
think it affected his feelings about:
- The size of the task? The extent of the disgrace?
- How essential is it for God’s people to look a challenge ‘full in the face’ before
taking it on?
II. ACTING FOR GOD’S GLORY (THE PEOPLE) 2.17-18
THE MOMENT OF COMMITMENT!
So far the people as a whole know nothing! Now for the first time Nehemiah lets them
in on it all and issues the challenge!
- What did Nehemiah share with them? How do you think the people felt when they heard
the whole story and realised the plan? (encouraged? afraid? daunted? inspired?) astonished?)
What was their final response?
- How crucial was this moment for the whole project? What if they’d said ‘No’? How
important is it for a church that the people as a whole take up the visions of the
church?
- Does a God-given challenge daunt you or inspire you?
III. UPSETTING GOD’S ENEMIES: 2.10, 19-20
- Who were the opponents of all this? Why their opposition?
- Is it the same today? Does God’s kingdom face active opponents? (as opposed to general
indifference). What motivates this opposition?
- What can we learn from Nehemiah’s response?
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
Chapter 2 ends with a people inspired to action, driven by a great purpose into united
action. Is that a fair description of us? It should be!)
Time note, for leaders: FOUR MONTHS PRAYING and WAITING!
- Kislev is the ninth month in Hebrew calendar, equivalent to our November-December.
- Nisan is the first month, equivalent to our March-April.
So the time lapse between the opening events of Nehemiah (1.1) and those of 21.1
is 4 months.
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