Week Six Teaching Nehemiah 8:1-10

Week Six Small Group Notes - Nehemiah 8:1-10

Imagining a new future

This week we come to the end of the series on rebuilding the church - the hot topic being discussed by churches in our country at the moment. There are lots of people writing books, speaking at conferences, casting visions about what the church of the future should look like - post covid.

• If you were asked to dream positively or imagine creatively what church of the future in our country should look like, what would you see in your dream?

• As you think about the church of the future, what things would you certainly not want to see in that church?

Going Back to Go Forward

The paradoxical thing about following Jesus is that he always calls us back to go forward. We are to build the church that God has patterned for us in his word. So now read about this new day of the people of God as they gather in Nehemiah's day.

Read Nehemiah 8:1-10

• What strikes you most about the things that took place on that day?

• What do these verses teach us about the role of church leaders - the Levites in Nehemiah’s day?

  • How might that impact us as we think about the church?

  • How can we encourage our leaders to be those who make clear the meaning of God’s word?

• What does the example of the people of God teach us about the church?

  • How might we be more like the people of God in Nehemiah’s day?

  • What might that look like in practice?

Read again verses 9-10

It is right that as we respond to God’s word we should be moved to tears, tears at the nature of sin and at the reality of judgment (v.9). God’s word also speaks a message of grace, it brings to us the gospel which gives joy and that joy is our strength (10).

• Think for a moment about a truth from God’s word that brings you joy - try to identify something specific.

• Now try to work out how that joy might give you real strength in your life and service of Jesus today.

• How might you experience the joy that comes from the truths in God’s word being your strength in everyday life?

Drawing it all together

Over the last few weeks we have committed to the rebuilding work of the church. We have seen we need to be prayerful, act boldly and expect opposition. This week we have seen that spiritual growth in church comes as we allow the Spirit of God to bring us back to God’s word.

• How should this series shape our priorities as a church in the weeks and months ahead?

• Given all we have seen over the weeks, what things should now become priorities in our prayers?

Week Five Teaching - Nehemiah 5:1-19

Week Five Small Group Notes - Nehemiah 5:1-19

How we build affects what we build

Read Nehemiah 5:1-19

• Given the determination to keep going with the building work even under the threat of war (ch4), what might we conclude from the building work being paused in this chapter?

• Why are the problems in v1-4 so serious?

• What might these look like today? Both within the church and beyond?

fear god and love neighbour

• How do Nehemiah’s words in v9 convince the people back then to reconsider?

• How does Jesus build on these ideas?

• In v10 Nehemiah includes himself in those needing to change their perspective. What will it look like for us, individually to respond to v9 afresh?

an example

How does the account of Nehemiah’s conduct as the governor (v14-18) give us a good example? How is Jesus an even greater example of this?

What would it look like for us to resist a culture of entitlement and instead to lay down our rights in an even greater way?

Spend some time in prayer responding to the passage.

Week Four Teaching - Nehemiah 4:1-23

Week Four Small Group Notes - Nehemiah 4:1-23

the going gets tough

Over the last three weeks we have been thinking about the trouble and disgrace God’s people are in and the need to take bold and courageous action, joining in Jesus’ building of His church. Last week we thought about the people’s response in Nehemiah’s day “let us start rebuilding” and what each of our individual responses might be to God’s word today.

• How easily might we be discouraged from following this through? What might that look like?

This week, opposition causes difficulty and frustrates the rebuilding work. God’s people are close to giving up. We noticed two ways in which we might learn from Nehemiah 4:

we musn't fear the feeling of weakness

Read Nehemiah 4:1-23

• Imagine what some of the conversations amongst God’s people might have been as these events unfolded. What might have been said?

• Does v10 resonate with you own experience at times?

• What might this feeling look like for us collectively as we continue to take part in Jesus’ rebuilding of His church?

On Sunday morning we traced a pattern of God choosing to work through weak people in weak situations. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth and Jesus were mentioned. Are there any other Bible passages that you have been encouraged by seeing this same pattern in?

remember the Lord, who is great and awesome

• In v15-23 the situation gets more difficult but the mood lifts. What will help us continue in the Lord’s strength rather than our own?

Pressing on

In verse 20 Nehemiah says, “Our God will fight for us!” and the people continue the work. How might we respond in starting or continuing to serve beyond our comfort zone? How might we rally others around us?

Now spend some time sharing how you might pray for each other individually as you respond.

Turn to pray.

Week Three Teaching - Nehemiah 2:10-20

Week Three Response

This week everyone was given an opportunity to respond to God’s word and commit themselves afresh to Jesus’ building work of His church. You can use the link below as one way of answering that call. Click on the Response link below and complete the form. Tell us what aspect of the work you might want to get involved in or indicate that you are willing. Your feedback will be shared with your small group leader (if you have one) and your congregation leader.

Week Three Small Group Notes - Nehemiah 2:10-20

Let us rebuild

Over the last two weeks we have been thinking about the trouble and disgrace God’s people are in and the need to take bold and courageous action, joining in Jesus’ building of His church. Last week, we were thinking specifically about what this might mean for each of us. We ended thinking about a ‘life goal’ or your aims for the next five years.

• How have your thoughts developed over the course of the week?

• How are you feeling now about the prospect of taking the next step?

This week, Nehemiah stands before the people and asks them if they are willing to get involved in the rebuilding work. But before we commit ourselves to joining Jesus in His rebuilding work we are reminded of three things:

Survey the walls

Read Nehemiah 2:11-16

• Why is Nehemiah’s action here wise?

• How might his example help us as we think about joining in Jesus’ building work, both as a church and as individuals.

Appeal to the people

Read Nehemiah 2:17-18

• What motivations does Nehemiah give the people to encourage them to start the work?

• How might these motivations apply to us? How might they encourage us?

Expect opposition

Read Nehemiah 2:19-20

• In what ways do we see Jesus’ building work being opposed in our country? How might modern day opposition be similar to the opposition Nehemiah experienced?

• How is Nehemiah’s response (v.20) instructive for us? In what ways do we find this hard to do?

TIME TO ACT

In verse 18 the people say, “let us start rebuilding”. Given all we have seen this week, how should we respond? What might be the next step for you? (Try to be as specific as possible).

Now spend some time sharing how you might pray for each other individually as you respond.

Turn to pray.

Week Two Teaching - Nehemiah 2:1-9

Week Two Small Groups - Nehemiah 2:1-9

The Rebuilding Work Begins

Last week we began our new series thinking about the sad state of the people of God, both in Nehemiah’s day and in our own. It led many of us to weep and pray. Yet, at the end of chapter 1, we were given a hint that there might be hope. In fact, as we read on in Nehemiah, we see God’s gracious hand bringing a complete turn around for God’s people.

• Try to imagine what it might look like in our country if we were to see such a thing. What would be different if we saw the church across our land renewed by the gospel? What impact might that have on our communities?

• What might it look like if our church at St Kea was to be renewed by the gospel? What would be different?

How Does Nehemiah respond?

It can be hard for us to imagine what it would be like to see such things. We don’t know if we will ever see such things, but we do know that unless we pray we certainly won’t. However, as he prays, Nehemiah is also looking for an opportunity to act.

Now read Nehemiah 2:1-9

• In what ways do we see Nehemiah acting with boldness and courage?

• What clues are we given in the verses that Nehemiah can only act this way because he trusts in God? How is that encouraging for us?

What About US?

Nehemiah the wall builder is always pointing us forward to Jesus the great church builder, the one who will establish the new Jerusalem that is to come.

• In what ways do you see Nemehiah foreshadowing Jesus himself?

We want to be a people who imitate Jesus in the way we go about serving Him and building his church for Him. So now think about your own situation:

• What bold and courageous action might you to need to do (or to continue or develop) to see our church and our part of Cornwall renewed by the gospel? Try to be as practical as possible. Feel free to dream and think beyond our normal horizons.

• Who would you need to ask permission to do that? (Just as Nehemiah had to ask the king.)

• What fears might hold you back? (Experiencing fear, like Nehemiah, is normal when contemplating stepping out.)

• How might remembering who God is help you to overcome your fears?

DRAWING it all together

It is now week two in our series and we have each met a direct challenge. Are we willing to act courageously and boldly for the cause of the gospel in our part of Cornwall? Some people talk about having a ‘life goal’. In light of all we are learning how might your ‘life goal’ or your hopes for the next five years need to change? What do you need to do now?

Week One Teaching - Nehemiah 1

Week One Small Groups - Nehemiah 1

great trouble and distress

The book of Nehemiah opens with God’s people in great trouble and distress (1:3). In what ways do you think that mirrors the situation that God’s people find themselves in the UK today? How do we see that worked out in our local area and in our church?

Sit down and weep

In verse four Nehemiah is moved to tears at the plight of God’s people. Are you ever moved to tears by the plight of the church in our country?

What reasons prevent us from being more distressed at the state of the church?

How should we be challenged by Nehemiah’s tearful response?

Turn to prayer

Nehemiah doesn’t just mourn, but he turns to pray in verses 5-11. It is likely that Nehemiah was moved to persistent prayer for for some months. (The next action, at the start of chapter 2, is months after Nehemiah started to pray). What things prevent us from persistently praying for the state of the church in the UK? Try to be as honest as you can in your answer.

How might we become more prayerful as a church? Be as practical as you can and do feedback any suggestions to your leadership team.

Now look at each of the different aspects of Nehemiah’s prayer in turn. What difference would it make to us if we prayed as Nehemiah does?

Remember the character of the God we pray to - an awesomely powerful God (5).

Confess our sin and the sins of God’s people (7).

Remind God of his promises to us in His word (8-10).

Commit to being an answer to our own prayers - ask Him for success today (11).

DRAWING it all together

It is only week one in our series and Nehemiah has already given us a number of exciting challenges as we think about the rebuilding work of the church at St Kea, in Cornwall and the UK. How should all we have seen impact us this week?

Nehemiah Extra