|
GROUP FELLOWSHIP
SUMMER 2001
NEHEMIAH: ‘A PURPOSE-DRIVEN PEOPLE’ - stirred up to serve!
(3) NEHEMIAH 4: OPPOSITION SURMOUNTED!
Jerusalem’s walls were not built without the encounter with and the rising above
stiff opposition and discouragement. It will ever be so! - even when the lord is
clearly with you – because we have enemies without and enemies within! Be ready for
trouble and a fight! But see it through!
[A] DISCOURAGEMENT ENCOUNTERED. 4.1-2
(Examining the opposition that God’s people faced)
4.1-3: OPPOSITION FROM WITHOUT
- Why do you suppose Sanballat was so ‘incensed’ by what the people planned to do?
What sort of people get angry and oppose God’s work?
What is it that they resent and oppose?
- Psychological warfare: 4.2-3. What form did Sanballat’s first attack take?
Was there any truth in the things he said?
- Do we encounter similar attacks today?
- How effective are such tactics? Why?
- Threats and harassment : 4.7-8. What further, different sorts of attacks did Sanballat
deploy? What power did they carry with them? How do you feel when you realise what
you are doing is deeply upsetting people and rousing active opposition?
- How powerful a weapon is fear?
(Can you think of people in the Bible who gave way to fear? - and people who didn’t?)
4.10-12: DISCOURAGEMENT FROM WITHIN
- From what second source did Nehemiah face a challenge? What was its cause? How understandable
was it? (Try to envisage the size of the task they faced) Do you ever feel the task
is too big and you are too weak?
- What factors do you find most disheartening and demoralising in the Christian life?
Is it harder to cope with opposition form outside or problems from within the Christian
community?
[B] SURMOUNTING DISCOURAGEMENT: 4.3-6,9,13-23
They didn’t give way – but rose above the troubles!
- In what ways did Nehemiah (and the people) counteract the effect of the discouragements
they were meeting?
What things put new heart and courage in them?
- What do you feel was the single most important factor?
- What do you admire most in Nehemiah?
- What vital things can we learn from this chapter about countering opposition and
discouragement?
PERSONAL APPLICATION
Identifying discouragement: It helps to identify and face the fact of discouragement
& share it.
- Is anyone in the group going through a period of real spiritual discouragement? Can
you identify the causes? Are they from outside? Or from inside factors?
- Where can fresh courage be found? ( or imparted by Christian friends?)
CLOSING THOUGHT:
Satan’s best weapons for stopping Christ’s people in their tracks are always discouragement
and fear! Let’s not let him win!
| 
