Nehemiah #9 – Study Questions
Repentance – Moving forward through commitment.
Nehemiah 10:1-39
INTRODUCTION: Here, in chapter ten, we are in the middle of a high point in the book of Nehemiah. Over the three chapters of 8, 9, & 10, we will see the people of Israel take specific steps to realize life as a restored covenant community.
- Chapter 8 – Reading of God’s Word and Feast of Booths
- Chapter 9 – Confession and Repentance
- Chapter 10 – Recommitment to Covenant
The wall work is done, exiles have returned, and now they must remind themselves of the purposes that God has for them. What is God’s primary purpose? Worship and enjoyment of him. Again, we come to the truth that when we wholeheartedly pursue God’s glory, we will find our greatest good. But haven’t they been engaged in right worship for several chapters now? Yes, they have. But, if they want to continue in right worship and pursuit of God’s glory, they will need to keep remembering. The risk that faced them, and faces all of us, is that when we stop intentionally remembering, we begin to forget, and then we forget altogether. They reviewed the law handed down through Moses. We need to routinely review the gospel of grace given through Jesus. We can read this chapter and miss that it really isn’t about the laws. It is about relationship. When God’s people walk in God’s precepts with joy, they do so because they are enjoying God in relationship. Let us keep remembering so that we keep walking on God’s path, and as we walk, we will find ourselves in an abiding relationship. Yet, we know personally and see in their experience that we will not walk perfectly. And so, we need to engage in repentance. Repentance is the action of admitting that our way isn’t the best way. Instead, God’s way is far better, and then we are to actively walk in God’s way. Regular and routine repentance is the path to change. Regular and routine repentance is how we consistently begin as best we can. Regular and routine repentance is how we let Christ live in us and cooperate with his righteousness. If we want to be faithful people in the future, let us commit to the discipline of regular and routine repentance. God’s love leads us to a better future through repentance.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, answer the following question. What was a time or an experience in your life that you needed to stop heading in the direction you were going and go a different direction? This could have been on a road trip, working on a project, parenting, marriage, etc.
Example (Kyle): One time, on a family vacation to Canada, we got really lost as we were driving. We had maps and directions (pre-GPS days), but with a series of construction detours, it really threw us for a loop. Finally, we found a gas station that was open and got directions. You know what? We had been heading in the opposite direction of our destination for two hours. A re-orientation to the correct route and we arrived at our destination several hours after we were originally slated to.
Follow up: How does your experience help shed light on the spiritual discipline of repentance?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Here are some good questions to help make observations in this chapter:
- What has happened so far in the narrative? Have there been any major events, characters, or
themes? - What do you learn about the main characters in this section? How does the author describe
them? How do they describe themselves? - Is there a conflict or high point in the passage?
- What surprises are there?
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?