Nehemiah #6 – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   October 8, 2022

The Wall’s done – What’s Next?

Nehemiah 7:1-73

 

INTRODUCTION:  The book takes a turn at this point, the work is done, and the people have returned. The primary question at this point in the story is, what’s next? The work that was before them was plain to see, and with that, it brought clarity about what they were to be about. The future seems simple. The work is done. Now we live and honor the Lord together. But, it is in this lull that they can get distracted and divided. That is so true in our lives as well. In moments of great trial or hardship, we are able to form a collective union and purpose. Once that challenge or trial is resolved, we begin to have differing visions for the future. To combat that division, Nehemiah appointed Hanani because he feared God more than most men. The reality is that if we want to be faithful to God through every season, now and into the future, our lives must stay centered around God. In Nehemiah, God wanted to weed out the imposters, the substitutes, and the idols his people had acquired along the way in exile. He wanted them to know and understand that there was a better way, His way. God wants the same for you and me today. He wants to shape our identities to look more like Jesus than our fleshly nature. But that process means we’re going to have to give God access to our bad theology and cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he transforms us. Author and thinker Donald Miller says, “The God of the Bible is big enough to explain the imposters.”[1] And when an imposter god is exposed in our lives, we would do well to renounce it. Why? Because our best future will always be centered around God.

 

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, share about a time when you learned that God’s standards are really the best standards. This could be a positive or negative lesson. I.e., You learned the right way or the hard way. If you’re like me (Kyle), most of my lessons are learned the hard way.

 

 

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:

  1. What has happened so far in the narrative? Have there been any major events, characters, or
    themes?
  2. What do you learn about the main characters in this section? How does the author describe
    them? How do they describe themselves?
  3. Is there a conflict or high point in the passage?
  4. 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?

 

For application, it might be helpful to take some time and consider the Life Questions and which one represents an area of needed growth. Evaluate each based on the character and competency listed.

 

How do I know that I am walking in faithfulness / wisdom? I.e., Applying God’s standards

The Life questions:

  1. Did God make my day?
    1. Character: Biblically saturated and prayerfully minded
    2. Competency: Biblically literate and prays without ceasing
  2. Is the Spirit flowing through me?
    1. Character: Dependent upon the Holy Spirit
    2. Competency: Actively trusting and obeying
  3. Whom am I fishing with?
    1. Character: Helps others follow Jesus
    2. Competency: Reproduces disciples
  4. Who shares my tough stuff?
    1. Character: Intentionally relational
    2. Competency: Involved in community
  5. How worn is my welcome mat?
    1. Character: Compassion for the lost
    2. Competency: Gospel-fluent
  6. How are my investments doing?
    1. Character: Focuses on eternity
    2. Competency: Freely gives

 

[1] Donald Miller, Searching for God Knows What (2004)