Bethesda Chapel 2002
SG Bible Study #11

Nehemiah 1:1-6a

Suggested Opening Song:
Ah Lord God
Ah Lord God
Thou hast made the heavens and the earth
By Thy great power
Ah Lord God
Thou hast made the heavens and the earth
By Thy outstretched arm
Nothing is too difficult for Thee
Nothing is too difficult for Thee
O, Great and Mighty God
Great in counsel and mighty in deed
Nothing, nothing
Absolutely nothing
Nothing is too difficult for Thee

What a mighty God is He
What a mighty God we serve
What a mighty God we serve
Angels bow before Him
Heaven and earth adore Him
What a mighty God we serve

Sharing as desired on an individual basis (Optional)
‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’     John 13:34-35.

Prayer
We should join our hearts in prayer.  If you so desire, you may want to join your hands as well as you pray for each other.

Scripture Reading
Nehemiah 1:1-6a

Discussion:
1.      From vs. 5, what was the image that Nehemiah had of God?  From your background study, is the term, ‘God of Heaven’ a common one that is used by Persians in reference to the way they refer to God?  If so, how is Jehovah God a cut above all others?  See if the entire verse can help you come up with a plausible answer.

2.      What is anthropomorphism? Can you think of passages in the Bible where such language is used?  There are two examples in vs. 6.  How does the use of such language affect our understanding of God?

3.      According to vs. 5, God is one ‘. . . who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands.’  What is this covenant of love?  Has this any relation to the way God hears and answers our prayers? 

Devotional Reflection:  
1.      That God is our ‘God of Heaven’ and the ‘Great and Awesome God’ should not be just a flowery description of Who He is.  Consider how our transcendent God impacts our trust in God in the issues that are before us.

2.      Yes, He may be the sovereign God up there.  Yes, he may take an interest on national issues, like hearing the prayers of Nehemiah.  But will He be as interested to hear our ‘so-called’ minor issues to Him which to us are major? 

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