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GROUP FELLOWSHIP
SUMMER 2001
NEHEMIAH: ‘A PURPOSE-DRIVEN PEOPLE’ - stirred up to serve!
(4) NEHEMIAH 5: DIVISION HEALED
We have already seen the real threat to the great work for God being undertaken by
Nehemiah and the people. Last time, (in chapter 4) it came from discouragement. Today
it comes from DIVISION among the people doing the work. Fallen people that we are,
division is always a danger to be resisted. It dishonours God, delights the enemy
and destroys the work. Today’s passage is a positive one: division is not only experienced
but it is overcome and healed!
There is trouble brewing among the people of God: deep divisions and an outrcry of
indignation.
- What was the outcry about? How justifiable was it? Get to the heart of the problem;
why did it arise? Why did it cause such outrage?
Why was it so scandalous and dangerous and damaging?
- What serious spiritual failures does the situation highlight in the people of God
of the day?
- From your experience, how high up the scale of factors that cripple the work of God’s
kingdom does division among God’s people come?
- What are some of the things that most cause our divisions?
- What spiritual failures do they highlight in us?
II. 5.6-13: SWIFT ACTION
Nehemiah is an exemplary leader
- Talk over the way Nehemiah handled the situation. What can we learn from him?
- What part did INDIGNATION play in his response?
(When is it right to be angry? When wrong?)
- What part did careful CONSIDERATION play?
- What part did healthy CONFRONTATION play?
- Just how did Nehemiah succeed in
- Awakening their consciences?
- Moving their wills?
- Reversing their actions?
- 5.8,12-13: A SPIRITUAL RESPONSE
A spiritual challenge needs a spiritual response!
- How did the people respond to Nehemiah’s challenge?
- What is there to admire in their response?
(How might they have responded?)
- How difficult is it for the human spirit to take rebuke for our wrongs? Why is it
so? Is it harder for some than others? Why?
- 5. 14-19 (with 5.8,10): A SELFLESS EXAMPLE
- ‘I did not act like that.’
- In what ways did Nehemiah set an impeccable example?
- How unusual do you think it was for a person in his powerful position not to use
his power for personal gain?
- What do you think (from this passage) was the key to Nehemiah’s honourable behaviour?
(Do 5.16 and 5.9 supply a clue?)
- To what degree do you think there was a connection between the overt honourableness
of Nehemiah’s behaviour and the good response of the people to his rebuke?
- How essential is it for leaders (spiritual and political) to set a high example in
their lives?
CONCLUDING THOUGHT:
A deep reverence for God and a real compassion for our fellows are the keys to holy
living.
(But then they do happen to be the two great commandments: Love God will all your
heart and your neighbour as yourself?)
What of my reverence for God? What of my compassion for others?
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