This week in our Bible study together, we are wrapping up our study of Nehemiah. Throughout our study, we have seen how God placed a divine burden on Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. We have followed Nehemiah’s journey as he obediently and courageously led in the rebuilding of the city’s walls despite obstacle after obstacle. As we finish our Bible study today, we will see Nehemiah's perseverance as he faced additional obstacles as the walls neared completion, as well as the response of the surrounding nations when they learned that the walls were completed. Finally, we will also see that when the project was completed, surrounding nations marveled at God’s power.
Is there a time you felt like giving up on a project you started? What happened?
WATCH SERMON RECAP HERE
1. Read Nehemiah 6:1-14. As the walls of Jerusalem neared completion, how did Nehemiah's enemies continue to try to stop their completion? (There are multiple answers to this question!)
Nehemiah 6:1-14
O Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. 10 Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.” 11 But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me. 14 Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me.
2. What stands out to you about Nehemiah’s responses to his enemies’ attempts to stop him from finishing rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls?
3. Read Nehemiah 6:15-16. What is remarkable about the completion of this project, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?
Nehemiah 6:15-16.
So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. 16 When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.
4. How did Nehemiah's enemies and the surrounding nations respond to the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, and why?
1. During the weekend message, we were reminded that even good things can sometimes distract us and hold us back from God's best. How was Nehemiah tempted to let the good crowd out great in the Scripture we studied today?
2. What good things today arise that tempt us from focusing on what is great?
3. What is tempting or causing you to leave the wall (the divine burden God has placed on your heart)? (Is it fear, others’ opinions, distractions, or something else?)
Throughout this series, we have focused on the divine burdens God has placed on our hearts. Today, our question is, "What will we do about the divine burdens God has placed on our hearts?" Your challenge today is to take action on your divine burden. Share with your group how you will take action to meet the need that is burdening you and commit to taking steps starting this week.
This week, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to stop Nehemiah from finishing the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls through distractions, gossip, and fear. Through it all, Nehemiah stood firm and kept finishing the completion of the wall. Distractions, gossip, and fear are not unique to Nehemiah. The enemy uses all three of these things to keep us from completing the work God has called us to. In our study today, we will look at how to respond to distractions, gossip, and fear so that they do not sideline us in our task of acting on our divine burdens.
Amidst all of the chaos and busyness surrounding us each day, the enemy often seeks to keep us distracted so that we fail to make progress in our efforts to act on our divine burdens. In fact, if we are not careful, we can let years go by as distraction after distraction keeps us from doing something about the burdens God has laid on our hearts. Because we are so easily distracted, Scripture warns us to stay focused on our callings from God to meet the needs around us.
1. Read Proverbs 4:25-27.
Proverbs 4:25-27
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
2. Summarize the instruction we are given in this passage of Scripture.
3. How do we avoid distractions, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. What is distracting you today from making progress in acting on the divine burden God has given you?
Nehemiah found himself surrounded by gossip as he set out to complete the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Instead of giving in and engaging in that gossip, he turned from it and got back to his important task at hand. His response is a reminder to all of us that gossip leads us on a path that none of us wanted to take. Instead, we should, like Nehemiah, turn from it and refuse to pay any attention to it.
1. Read Proverbs 25:23.
Proverbs 25:23
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
2. Why is gossip damaging, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. How have you seen the damage of gossip in your own life or the lives of others?
4. How does engaging in gossip or being caught up in gossip about us distract us from acting on the divine burdens God has called us to act on?
In a final effort to stop Nehemiah, his enemies tried to make him fear for his life. He refused to let fear hold him back from completing his important task. When we are faced with fear as we set out to act on our divine burdens, we, too, must not let fear overtake us. Our task at hand is too important.
1. Read Hebrews 13:6.
Hebrews 13:6
So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
2. How does fear hold us back from acting on our divine burdens?
3. Why can we have confidence instead of fear, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. What fears are currently keeping you from acting on your divine burdens God has placed on your heart?
Which of these three obstacles are you currently facing in your effort to act on your divine burden: distractions, gossip, or fear? Share that with your group, along with one step you can take this week to fight against that obstacle. When you are finished, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you take steps to fight against the obstacles holding you back from acting on the burdens He has placed on your hearts.
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