Study Guide:
The wall is built and normalcy returns to the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s task was done. Or was it? Pastor Bryce helped us see that Nehemiah and Ezra did have bigger goal in mind. Both of them had a heart for God and wanted the same for their people. Thats why they made sure that the people felt protected, heard the Word of God, and would celebrate understanding the Word of God.
How can you do the same?
Guard your Heart
How do your guard your faith? Evaluate the following: What outside influences disturb or challenge your faith? What worries you? What distracts you? – How can you make sure that you stay on track? Nehemiah kept the city doors closed until noon. Do you have to keep your social media app closed until noon? What other thing(s) need to be “closed” for a set period of time? Guard your heart.
Create a Hunger for God’s Word
Bryce also showed us that being close to God’s Word will actually create a bigger hunger for His Word. We need to be intentional about your Bible time. In your group, share what you do in your time with God. What is your way of doing Bible time?
Here are some conversation starters:
- What time of the day is the best time for your to read the Bible? Can you make this a regular thing?
- How do you read the Bible? How do you record your one-take-away?
- How can journaling help with your Bible reading? How do others remember what they learned?
- Do you share with others what you learned? How do you do it?
Be religious about how you fill your Bible time and you will be rewarded beyond understanding.
Let the Work of God touch you
Reading through Nehemiah 8:1-12 you can see that the people were so touched that they actually started crying. When what was the last time you cried when reading the Bible? But then Nehemiah says, “Don’t cry. Instead celebrate because you understood the Word of God.”
When was the last time you celebrated understanding something from God’s Word? Share your experience with the group? Now make plan for a little party. What would a party that celebrates God like that look like? What ingredients would you need? Who would you invite? Plan a party.
Pastor Daniel
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.
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