LessonsfromtheBookofNehemiah

“Amindtowork”

2018NewJerseyFloridaCollegeCamp

Nehemiah-AMindtoWork

(Lesson1–SeetheNeedandSeekGod’sHelp)

Intro. A.Theneedforprotection 1.Writesomethingsthathumansdotoprotectthemselvesagainst disease,financialproblems,injuryinautomobiles,etc. B.Ancientcitieshadwallstoprotectthemfrominvadingarmies,banditsandotherdangers. 1.Withoutwalls,thecitieswerevulnerable.(Theywereopentodanger.) 2.Howwouldyouliketoliveinaroughneighborhoodwithnodoorsinyourhouseandopen windows?Wouldyoufeelvulnerable(indanger)? C.HistoricalbackgroundtoNehemiah 1.TheJewishpeoplehadbeenpunishedfortheirworshipofidolsbybeingsentawayto captivityinBabylonbetweentheyears606and536beforeChrist. 2.SeveralgroupsmadereturnstoJerusalemandJudeastartingin536B.C. a.SomefinishedrebuildingthetempleunderZorobabelinabout520B.C. 3.However,theJewsinJudearemainedweak.Thewallswerebrokendown. a.ManyJewswhostayedbehindinBabylonandPersiaweremoreprosperous. 4.That’swherethestoryofNehemiahbegins

I.Sadnews(Readchapter1verses1-3) A.Analyzingthetext 1.WhogavethissadnewstoNehemiah? (Heisalsomentionedin7:2) 2.WhatweresomewordsusedtodescribethepeopleleftinJerusalem? 3.Howwerethewallsofthecity? B.Makingsomeapplications–Thoughtquestions. 1.Haveyoueverknownsomepeoplewhocouldbedescribedliketheremnantofpeoplein Jerusalem?Haveyoueverthoughthatyoumightbedescribedthatway? 2.Whataresomewaysour“spiritual”wallsofprotectioncanbebrokendown?

II.Nehemiah’sprayer A.Readtheprayer(verses4-11) 1.WhatdidNehemiahdoforseveraldaysbeforehisprayerinverses5-11? 2.WhatdoesNehemiahdointhefirstpartofhisprayer?Verses5,6 3.Whatdoeshedoinverse7? 4.WhatdoesheremindGodofinverses8,9?(ReferenceDeut.4:27-30) 5.Whatdoesherequestinparticularinthelastpartofverse11? 6.WhatwasNehemiah’sworkaccordingtothelastpartofverse11? B.Applications 1.Haveyoueverbeendepressedaboutthephysicalorspiritualconditionofalovedone? 2.Whatisthebestthingtodoinsuchcircumstances? 3.WhataresomethingsthatimpressyouaboutNehemiah’sconfessionofsin? 4.Whyisitessentialtobecompletelyopenandhonestwhenconfessingsins? 5.Isitwrongto“remindGod”ofhispromises?(verses8,9) 6.Whois“theman”thatNehemiahiswantingtoapproachabouttheprobleminverse11? *Whywouldthishavebeenrisky?(ReadEsther4:11toseeaboutthedangerof approachingPersiankingswithoutaninvitation.) 7.WhatspecialpositiondidNehemiahhavethatwouldhelphiminthistask?Whatdidthis involve?(Hewouldhavealreadyknownsomethingabout“security”) 8.Whatspecialpositionmightyoubeintohelpcertainpeopleinyourlife?(parents,siblings, friends,schoolmates,etc.)

III.Nehemiahreceivestheking’shelp A.Readverses1-6 1.WhydidthekingknowsomethingwaswrongwithNehemiah? 2.HowdidNehemiahfeelwhenherealizedthekinghadreadhisemotionalstate? 3.HowdidNehemiahexplaintheproblemtotheking? 4.WhatdidNehemiahdobeforeexplainingwhathewantedtotheking? 5.Howdidthekingrespond? B.Makingapplications 1.Haveyoueverhadtoasksomeoneimportanttodoyouaveryimportantfavor?(Ateacher, theprincipal,yourparents,etc.)Tellaboutitifyouwant. 2.Didyousayashortprayerbeforeyoudidit? a.WouldJeremiah’sprayerinthelastpartofverse4havebeenprettyshort,butfervent? b.Whyaresuchprayersimportant? c.Whenaresomegoodtimesforshortprayerslikethis? C.Furtherrequests–Readverses7-10 1.IfNehemiahhadbeenahalf-heartedworkerandnotveryresponsible,wouldthekinghave beensowillingtogivehimwhathewanted? 2.Andyet,whodidNehemiahcreditwithalltheblessings?(verse8) 3.Whowasn’tveryhappyabouttheproject? and (Thesearegoingtobethebadguysintherestofthestory.)IV.ArrivalinJerusalemandpreparationfortheproject A.Readverses11-16 1.Whataresomelittledetailsthatindicatethisisatruestoryofsomethingthatreally happened? *ThiskindofdetailisallthroughtheBible.It’snotfairytales!It’shistory! B.Applications *WhydidyouthinkitwasbestforNehemiahnottotellanyoneabouthisrideandimmediate plansprematurely? *Aretheretimeswhenitmaybebestforustoexaminethesituationandgatherfactsbefore talkingtoothers?Giveexamples. C.Read17,18 1.HowdidtheJewishleadersrespondtoNehemiah’sproposaltorebuildthewalls? D.Applications *WhataresomethingsNehemiahdidasaleaderthatmadehisproposalsoquicklyaccepted bytheleaders?Howcanwefollowhisexample? E.Read19,20 1.Whattwomenaregoingtocauseproblemsabouthisproject? and 2.WhatweretwopartsofNehemiah’sanswertothem? a.Whowouldgivethemsuccess? b.Wasitanyoftheirbusiness? *SanballatwasprobablyaSamaritanleader(4:2).HecamefromeitherUpperBethHoronor LowerBethHoron,intheareajustsouthofSamariaandnorthofJerusalem.Tobiaswas anAmonite,traditionalenemiesofIsrael.Conclusion–HowcanwebepeopleofvisionlikeNehemiahwhotakeonchallengingprojectsandtrustinGodaswedothem?Whataresomekeyelementsofhissuccessandours?

Nehemiah-AMindtoWork (Lesson2–Gettowork!)

Intro. A.Onascaleof1-5,howareyouaboutgettinghomeworkandother unpleasanttasksdone? 5=yougetrightonit, 2.Mustbedraggedkickingand 4=Willdoitonceyougetstartedbutmaydelayabit, screamingtodoit. 3-Delayalotingettingstartedandthenrushthroughit 1.Justwon’tgetitdone. B.We’relearnfromtheclasshowtobemoreeffective! C.ThankstoJoeWorksformostoftheseideas!I.Akeyphrase(Whatisakeyphrasefoundover30timesinthechapter(startinginvs.2,twiceinvs. 4,etc.) *Youcanimaginealonglineofpeoplenexttoeachotherdigging,placingrocks,mortar,etc. A.Thinkingabouttheimportanceofthisphrase… 1.Whydoyouthinkitwasimportantforthemtoworkthisway? 2.Whyisitimportantforustoworkthisway? 3.Whataresomechoresinschool(eitherhomeorpublic)thatyoufeelbetterdoingwith otherpeople? 4.Whataresomespiritualresponsibilitiesyoufulfillbetterwhenworkingwithothers? 5.WhataresomebenefitsofstudyingtheBiblewithothers? *WouldyouliketostudytheBiblewithothers?Evenifyoulivefarfromothers,there arealwaysthosewholiketostudyonthephoneorSkype.Letusknow!II.Yougainexperiencebyworking!(Youdon’thavetobeanexperttobegin!) A.Questions 1.HowdidUzzielandHarhaiahmaketheirliving(verse8)? 2.HowdidHananiahmakehislivingverse8? 3.HowdidMalkijahmakealiving?(verse31) 4.Whomaderepairsinverse32? B.Applicationsfromthoughtquestions 1.Doyouthinkthesepeoplewouldhaveknownalotaboutlayingrocksandmortar? Thinktheirhandswouldhavebeentoughorsoft? *Iusedtoworkforablocklayerandbricklayerandmyhandshurtatfirstbutaftera weekofwork,theybecametough. 2.Whatweresomeexcusestheycouldhavemadenottowork? 3.Doyoutendtomakeexcusesaboutnotbeingabletodocertainkindsofspiritualwork because“youdon’tknowmuchBible?” a.Whyisitnotgoodtousesuchanexcusetoavoidallwork? b.WhataresomethingsyoucandoforGodeventhoughyoudon’tknowmuchBible? 4.Doyouthinkthatafterworkingforaweekorsothesegoldsmithsandperfumerswouldbe moreeffectiveintheirworkthaninthebeginning? a.WillthathappentousinourworkinGod’skingdom? b.Howcanwestarttodobetter? c.WhataresomethingsyouwouldliketodobetterinGod’skingdom?III.Youworkharderwhenprotectinglovedones A.Questions 1.WheredidJedaiahwork(vs.10) 2.WheredidBenjamin,Hasshub,andAzariahwork?(vs.23) 3.WhohelpedShallumtorepairhisportionofthewall?(vs.12)

B.Thoughtquestionsforapplication 1.Whatwouldhavebeensomebenefitsfromworking“closetohome?” 2.Whataresomewaysweshouldwork“closetohome”today? 3.Haveyouknownsomeonewhowasexcitedaboutworkinginthestreetsorinother countriesthatdidn’ttakecareofworkingwithhisfamily? 4.Whenyouhavechildren,whywillitbeimportanttoworkwithyouonvariousaspectsof servingGod? 5.Whataresomethingsyoucandotogetherwithyourchildrenwhenyouhavethem? IV.Work“overtime” A.Questions 1.HowmanysectionsdidMeremothandMeshulamworkon?(vss.4,21,30) 2.WhodidnothelpthemenofTekoa?(vs.5) 3.DidthemenofTekoadotheirworkanyway? 4.Whatelsedidtheydoaccordingtoverse27? 5.HowdidBaructhesonofZabbairepairhissection? B.Applications 1.WhataresomethingsthatsomeChristianswanttodo“aslittleaspossible”inthechurch? 2.Whyisthedesiretodoaslittleaspossibleharmfulinthechurch? 3.Aresomepeoplelikethe“nobles”ofTecoaandfeelthattheyare“toogood”todophysical workor“menial”tasks? a.WhyissuchaspiritsoharmfulamongGod’speople? b.Whataresomejobsyoumightnotwanttodo? i.Cleantoilets ii.Washdishes iii.Cleanupmessesthatoldpeoplecanmake c.Howcanyoumakesureyouarenotan“arrogant”personlikethenoblesofTecoaand thatyou’rewillingtodoanythingtoserveothers? 4.Aretherealwayssomepeoplewhowon’tworkastheyshould? 5.Howcanweavoidbeingdiscouragedbysuchpeopleandkeeponworking? 6.Howcanenthusiasticfellowworkersencourageus? a.Tellofsomeenthusiasticpeopleyouknowinschool,workorchurchwhose enthusiasmrubsoffonotherpeople? b.Tellofsomeunenthusiasticpeoplewhodiscourageothers(nonamesplease!) c.Whataresomeenthusiasmkillers? 7.Howcanyoumakesureyouareenencouragerandnotadiscouragerinyourworkhabits?Conclusion–Whataresomethingsyoucandotomakesureyoulearngoodworkhabits,notonlyinthekingdomofGodbutinyourlifeingeneral?

Nehemiah-AMindtoWork (Lesson3–Enemies!)

Intro.WheneverwedesiretoserveGod,we’llalwayshavetodealwithenemies!I.Externalenemies–ThesearetheSamaritans(Sanballat)andAmonites whowereclosetoJudea *Thoughtquestionsdesignedtohelpusmakeapplications A.Threat-Ridicule–Readchapter4:1-3andanswerthequestions 1.WhatwasthefocusoftheridiculeofSaballatinverses1,2? 2.WhatwasthefocusofTobiahinverse3? *WhataresomewayspeopleridiculeChristiansandtheirworktoday? B.Theresponse(Readverses4-6)‘ 1.WhatdidNehemiahaskGodtodototheenemies? *Thoughtquestionformaturestudents?Howdo“imprecatoryprayers”likethisharmonize withtheteachingofJesustoloveourenemies?Isitalwayswrongtodesirejustice? *Whyisprayersoimportantwhenfacingthosewhowouldmakefunofus? 2.Howdoesverse6describethewaythepeopleworked?With *Whyisitimportanttorespondtoridiculewithrenewedzealandfervor? C.Threat-Violence(verses7,8) 1.Whatdidtheenemiesthreatentodo? *HowdotheenemiesofChristsometimesthreatenustoday? D.Theresponse(verse9) 1.WhattwothingsdidtheJewsdo? *Whyafterpraying,shouldwealsotakeaction?(Whensick,wheninneed,etc.) 2.Whatwasanotherproblem(verse10) Doesthathappentoday? E.Threat-Infiltration(Verse11) 1.Whattacticdidtheenemiesproposeinverse11?Tobe *HowdoesSatantrytoinfiltrateGod’speopletoday? (LookatActs20:29-31ifyouwant) F.Response(Verses13-15)–Againweseeactionalongwithattitudeadjustment 1.WhatactiondidNehemiahtakeinverse13? 2.Whatattitudeshouldtheyavoid,accordingtoverse14? 3.Whowouldfightforthem? 4.Whowouldtheybefightingfor? *Howcanweavoidfeartoday? *Whyisfightingevilasindividualsalsoinvolvefightingevilforourfamiliesandfriends? G.Response(Verses16-18) 1.HowdidNehemiahdividetheresponsibilities? 2.Whatdideachworkerwearbyhissideasheworked?(vs.18) *WhyisitimportantforChristianstobeabletobuildaswellasdefend?Inwhatwaysdo theybuildintheworkoftheLord?Inwhatwaysdotheydefend? *Dosomedisciplesexcelatbuildingwhileothersexcelatdefending?Whyarebothneeded? G.Response(Verse19) 1.Howwouldseparategroupsbeadvisedofdangerinareasawayfromthem? *Howcanwe“blowthetrumpet”todaywhenthereisspiritualdanger? H.Summary(Readverses21-23) 1.Whendidtheworkerslaytheirweaponsdown? *Spiritually,canweaffordto“layourweaponsdown?”Whatareourweapons? I.Threat-Discreditleaders(Chapter6:1-14focusesoneffortstodiscreditNehemiahpersonally.) -Tactics -IsolateNehemiahfromhisJewishbrethren(Verses1-4) -Slander(“Nehemiahwantstobeking,”(Verses5-7) -Fear,cowardice(Gethimtorunaway–(Verses10-13)

J.Response 1.HowdidNehemiahrespondinthelastpartofverse9andverse14? *Whyisthissuchanimportanttacticforustousetodaywhenpeoplewanttodiscreditus? 2.DidNehemiahgiveinaninch?(Verse4) 3.Whodidherealizewasthesourceofallthesetactics?(Verse12) *Whyisitalwaysimportantforustoinvestigatethesourceofinformationwereceive?How doweseethatinActs17:11?II.Internalenemies -Ancharacterinanoldcomicstrip“Pogo”said,“Wehavemettheenemyandheisus!” *Whycanwesometimesbeourownworseenemies? A.Indenturedservitude(akindofslavery)causedbyexcessiveinterestinlendingmoney(usury) -Whenpeoplecouldn’tpaytheirdebts,theyhadtogiveuptheirlandandeventheirchildren. -Chapter5:1-5describesthisproblem. B.Response–Readchapter5verses6-12 1.HowdidNehemiahfeelwhenhearingaboutthis? *Isitalwayswrongtobeangry? What’sthedifferencebetweenthebadkindofangerand “righteousindignation” 2.Whatdidhedemandtobedone?(verse11) 3.Didalltheleadersagreetodothis?(vs.12) *CanChristianssometimestakeadvantageofothers?How? *Whyisitimportanttobedecisiveingettingbrethrentostoptakingadvantageofothers? C.Response–Activeeffortstohelpthepoor5:14-19 1.HowmanypeopledidNehemiahfeed?(vs.17) 2.Howmanyoxwerekilledeachdaytofeedthem? Howmanysheep? *Whyisitnotenoughtonottakeadvantageofothers,buttotakeactivestepstohelpthem? D.Collaborationwith“theenemy,”neglectoftithes,violationoftheSabbath,mixedmarriages -Thesewillbeanalyzedinthelastlessonwhenlookingatchapter13Conclusion A.Whichdoyouthinkisthegreatestdanger?Externalenemies?Orinternal? B.WhatdoyouthinkofsomeofthebiggestexternalenemiestoGod’speopletoday? C.WhatdoyouthinkaresomeofthebiggestinternalenemiestoGod’speopletoday? D.Whataresomethingsyouthinkyoucandotohelpinthebattlesagainstbothtypesofenemies amongGod’speople? E.Whatarethebiggestenemiesyoumustfaceinyourownlife?(Combineexternalandinternal) F.Whataresomespecificstepsyoucantaketobattleyourenemies,bothinternalandexternal?

Nehemiah-AMindtoWork

(Lesson4–RestoringGod’sWays)

Intro.Thoughitisessentialtohavespiritualwallstoprotectfromenemies,theywillbeofnouseifinsidethewalls,thingsarenotdoneaccordingtoGod’swill.Chapters8and9dealwithspiritualrenewalofGod’speople.

I.Thereadingofthelaw(Chapter8) -ThelawhadbeenneglectedandyetthesewerestillGod’speople. A.Readverses1-4 1.Howdoesverse1describetheattitudeofthepeopleastheygathered? *HaveweseenthisphrasebeforeinNehemiah?Whyisthisimportantwhenwe gathertogethertoday? 2.WhatdaydidEzrabringoutthebookofthelawtoread? *Thiswouldhavebeenthegatheringforthetrumpets,whichannouncedthecomingday ofatonement. 3.Whatthreegroupsgatheredtohearthereading? 4.Fromwhere(whatposition)didEzrareadthelaw? B.Readverses5-8 1.WhatdidEzraopen? 2.WhatbodypositiondidthepeopleassumeastheypraisedGodinthelastpartofverse6 *Thoughthisisnotalaw,whywouldithavebeengoodandbegoodtoday? 3.Accordingtoverse7,whatdidsomeoftheLevitesdoasthelawwasbeingread? 4.Accordingtoverse8,whattwothingsdidtheydotomakeGod’swillunderstandable? C.Thoughtquestionsfromthepreviousverses. 1.HereweseeessentialelementsofgoodBibleteachingandpreaching.Whatarethey?Make alist.

2.WhydosomeBiblelessonsandsermonsnotreachthisideal?Isthepreachersometimesto blame?Thelisteners?Both? D.Readverses9-12 1.Whathadthepeoplebeendoingduringthereadingofthelaw?(lastpartof9) *Whydoyouthinktheyweredoingthat? 2.WhydidNehemiah,Ezraandtheotherstellthemthattheydidn’tneedtodothat?

3.Whatwouldhelpthemtorejoice? E.Thoughtquestionsfromtheaboveverses 1.SomeshouldcrywhenconsideringGod’swords(James5:1-3).Heretheyaretoldtorejoice. Whatmakesthedifference? 2.WhenwerealizewhatGodwantsustodo,whyshouldthatmakeushappy?Howcanwe sharethatjoywithothers? F.Readverses13-15 1.Whenreadinginthelaw,whatfeastdidtheyfindthattheyneededtocelebrate?(Lev. 23:33-42) G.Readverses16-18 1.HowlonghaditbeensincethechildrenofIsraelhadcelebratedthefeastoftabernacles thatway? 2.WhatdidEzradooneverydayofthefeast? 3.Whatdidtheydoonthe8thdayandwhy? *Isitgoodorbadtodothings“accordingtotherule”(ESV)?(Notapopularconcept!)

II.PrayerofConfession–Chapter9 A.Preparations(Readverses1-5) 1.Whatweresomesymbolsoftheirsadnessfortheirsins?(Vs.1) 2.Whatdidtheydoforthefirstquarteroftheday thesecond? *Whataresomewayswecanprepareourselvesforatimeofseriousprayer? B.Theprayer -Asummary–TheprayermakesacontrastbetweenthepowerandfaithfulnessofGodand theweaknessandunfaithfulnessoftheJewishpeople. 1.WhyisGodpraisedinverse6?Heis ofeverything! 2.AftermentioningGod’srighteousnesswithAbrahaminverses7and8,thereasonisgiven forhisfulfillingofhispromises.Whatisit?Lastpartof8 -Verses9-12DescribeGod’sgreatnessinfreeingtheIsraelitesfromEgypt. 3.Howdoesverse13describeGod’slawsgiventoMoses? -Verses14-21MakeacontrastbetweenGodsfaithfulnessandmercyandtherebellionof IsraelinSinai. *WhatweresomeofIsrael’ssinsinthistimeperiod? *WhatwasGod’sattitudeinthefaceofthisrebellion?(vs.19) -Verses22-25refertoGod’spowerintheconquestofCanaan -Verses26-31giveasummaryofthegoodnessofGodanddisobedienceoftheJews 4.Howdoesthelastpartof26describewhattheydidwiththelaw?Wheredidthey“cast”it? their *Howdopeopledothattoday? Readverses32-37 5.HowhadGodrespondedinspiteoftheirunfaithfulness? *Doesverse35remindyouofpeopleintheUSA? 6.Whatwastheirtrueconditionaccordingtoverse36? *HowisthattheconditionofthepeoplewhodonotfollowGodtoday?

III.TheSolemnAgreementtodoGod’sWill(Chapter9:38-10) A.Verses1-29givethenamesoftheprinciplepeopleinvolvedinthissolemnagreement.(Aren’t yougladtheseweren’tyourmemoryverses?) B.Theagreement(Verses30-39) 1.Whatdidtheypromiseabouttheirchildren(30)? 2.Whatdidtheypromisetokeepin31? 3.Whatdidtheypromisetogivefortheupkeepofthetemple?(vs.32) *Thiswasabout5gramsoraneighthofanounceofsilver.(Thisislessthanwas specifiedinExodus30:13-15,probablybecausethepeopleweresopoor.) *JesuspaidthistaxinMatthew17:24-27 4.Whatdidtheypromisetobringforsacrifices?(ThiswasimpliedinLev.6:12,13)

5.WhatdidtheypromisetobringtoGodin35and36? 6.WhatdidtheypromisetogivetotheLevitesin37-39? C.Thoughtquestions 1.WhyisitgoodtomakesolemnagreementswithothersaboutourservicetoGod? 2.Whataresomeexamplesofsolemnagreementsthatwemake. 3.Somemightsaythatthesesolemnagreementshavetodoprimarilywith“externals.”Why are“external”actsofobedience(baptism,Lord’sSupper,Correctorganization,etc.) importantifaccompaniedbyapureheart?Whycantheybecomeanumbingroutineif notaccompaniedbyapureheart?

Nehemiah-AMindtoWork(Lesson5–Becarefulaftervictory!)

Intro.Nehemiah’sreformshadtransformedJewishsociety.ThecityofJerusalembecametransformedfromaghosttowntoabustlingcity.Chapter11describeshowitwasrepopulated.

I.Thededicationofthewall(Chapter12:27-47) A.Preparationsandpurification(Verses27-30) 1.Whatistheprimarygroupmentionedinverse27? Inverse28 2.Whattypeofspiritdidtheyhavewhencomingtogether(vs.27) 3.WhatdidthepriestsandLevitesdoforthemselvesandforothersbeforebeginning?(vs.29) B.Thoughtquestions 1.Doyouevergotoworshipservicesinabadmood? Whataresomethingsyoucando toprepareyourattitudeasyougo? 2.Whataresomewayswecan“cleanse”ourthinkingaswepreparetoworshipGod? C.Thegreatprocessionontopofthewall(Verses31-39) -Evidentlythereweretwogroupsthatmarchedontopofthewall,onegoingtothenorthand theothertowardsthesouthuntiltheymetatthetemple. D.Theyarriveatthetempleandoffersacrifices(verses40-43) 1.Howdoesverse43describethespiritofthepeopleastheyworshipped? E.Thoughtquestion 1.Dowealwayshavetobe“solemn”asweworship?Shouldtherebesomesolemnmoments andsomemomentsofrejoicing? F.Thecompletionoftheorganizationofthetemplework(Verses44-47) 1.WhichverseshererefertothecommandsofDavid? 2.WhichverseshererefertotheexamplesofDavid’stime? G.Thoughtquestion- 1.WhyarebothcommandsandexamplesimportanttoknowingGod’swill? 2.Thoughtquestionforadvancedstudents-Thoughinstrumentswereusedinworshipunder theOldTestament,weretheyusedinanywaytheywantedtousethemorwerethere prescribedrulesfromDavidonhowtousethem?IfGodwantedustouseinstruments today,wouldhewantustousethemanywaywewanted?Or,wouldhegiveussome instructionsonhowtousethem?Doesthelackofinstructionsonhowtouse instrumentsinworshipsayanythingaboutwhetherGodwantsthemornot?

II.Backslidingandmoreneededreforms(Chapter13) _WithalltheencouragingreformsunderNehemiah,theJewishpeoplequicklywentbacktotheir oldways,especiallywhenNehemiahwascalledbacktemporarilytoBabylon(vss.6,7) A.Separationfromforeigners(Chapter13:1-3) 1.Whodidtheyfindthattheyshouldexcludethemselvesfrom(Deut.23:3-5) *Ruthisaninterestingexception,perhapsshecametoIsraelnotasasomeoneseeking toinfluenceIsraelwithheridolatry,butassomeoneseekingGod. 2.Whatdidtheythendo? B.Thoughtquestion. 1.WhatshouldwedowhenwefindoutwhenreadingtheBiblethatwe’vebeendoing somethingwrong?Whyisthatsometimesdifficult? C.InfiltrationofTobias(Verses4-9) 1.WhathadEliashibthepriestgiventoTobias? 2.WherewasNehemiahwhenthisoccurred(vs..6)? 3.WhatdidNehemiahdowiththisthingsofTobias? 4.ThenwhatdidNehemiahdoaccordingtoverse9? D.Thoughtquestions 1.WhydosomeChristiansnotseetheseriousnessofallowingsinintotheirlives? 2.WhydosomeChristiansnotseetheseriousnessofallowingsinintoalocalchurch? 3.WhymighthaveEliashibhavenotfeltconcernedaboutSanballatandTobias?(13:28)

4.Haveyoueverknownanyonewhohadtoopposesomeonewhowasafamilymember becausetheyrepresentedathreattoGod’speople? 5.Haveyoueverknownsomeonewhorefusedtoopposesomeonewhowasaspiritualthreat becausetheywerealsoafamilymember? E.Templeserviceneglected(verses10-14) 1.WheredidtheLevitesandsingersgowhentheyweren’tpaid? 2.WhydidNehemiahputShelemiah,ZadokandPedaiahinchargeofmakingsurethat contributionsweregivenanddistributed? 3.WhatdidNehemiahrequestofGodinverse14? F.Thoughtquestions 1.Whataresometasksinthechurchthatrequiregreatresponsibility? 2.Whatcanyoudostartingnowtomakesureyouarearesponsibleperson? 3.MuchofthisabusebeganwhenNehemiahwasaway.WhyisitsadwhenGod’speopledon’t seemtofunctionwellwithoutaninfluentialleader?Whatcanbedonesolvethis? G.Sabbathregulationsneglected(Verses15-18) 1.WhatweresomewaystheywereviolatingtheSabbath? 2.WhenmenwereleadersinthisviolationoftheSabbath? 3.WhatdoesNehemiahrefertoinrebukingtheleaders(vs.18) H.Thoughtquestions 1.Howcanweavoidthebadinfluenceofthoselikethe“menofTyre.”Thosewhoaren’t disciplesandyetseemtoaffectChristiansaroundthem? I.Theproblemaddressed(Verses19-22) 1.WhatweresomesolutionsNehemiahpromotedinverse19?) 2.Then,wheredidthemerchantsstaybeforetheSabbath? 3.WhatdidNehemiahthreatentodotothem? J.Foreignwives(Readverses23-29) 1.Howdoesverse24describelanguagedidthechildrenofthemixedmarriagesspoke? 2.HowdidNehemiahrespondin25A? 3.Whatdidhemakethemswearnottodo? 4.WhatnamefromhistorydidNehemiahusetoillustratethedangerofforeignwives? K.Thoughtquestions 1.DoesChristianshaveacertainkindoflanguage? Doworldlypeople? Do youknowofChristianswhotalklikepeopleoftheworld? Whataresomethingsin theirlanguagethatindicatetoomuchinfluencefromtheworld? K.Summary(Verses30,31) 1.WhatdidNehemiahdototheson-in-lawofSanballat? -Malachiwroteaboutthistime.Lookslikehemayhavebeentalkingaboutpriestswho werethiswayinchapter2verses1and2.Maybehe’stalkingspecificallyofEliashib. 2.WhatdidherequestfromGod? L.Finalthoughtquestions 1.Nehemiahreferstoalotofhistoricalfigures.Whyisaknowledgeofhistoryimportant? 2.Whatisthedifferencebetweenrighteousindignation(likeNehemiah’s)andthesinful angerofman?(James1:20)

Conclusion 1.Whataresomethingsyoucandotobuildgoodspiritualdefenses? 2.HowcanyouallowthewordofGodtochangeyoumore? Howcanwehelp? 3.Whataresomedangersofbackslidingthatmightaffectyou? -Afinalprayerforstrengthinbuildingdefenses,fightingenemies,puttingGod’swordintopractice andavoidingbacksliding.