Bethesda Chapel 2003

SG Bible Study #4

What it means to be a Spiritually Practical Christian (Nehemiah 2:1-9)

Suggested Opening Song:

Day by Day

Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest

Every day the Lord Himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counsellor and Power

The protection of His child and treasure, Is a charge that on Himself He laid

‘As your days, your strength shall be in measure’, This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation, So to trust Your promises O Lord

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation, Offered me within Your holy Word

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take as from a father’s hand

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land

Sharing as desired on an individual basis (Optional)

‘[24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrew 10:24,25

Prayer

Whether in twos or threes or as a group, commit all that has been shared into prayer.

Scripture Reading

Nehemiah 2: 1-9

Introduction

Some spend all their time on their knees in the secret chambers of their prayer room, oblivious to the stark reality of what is happening out there. Others give all their energy to promote the interest of the situation at hand, in the name of giving their all for God, content with merely making a quick mention of it to God in their so-called prayer life. For them, the argument is, ‘Why shut yourself in secret prayer when there is a vast need to be met out there in the open?’ Is there a right balance?

Discussion:

1. Look at the life of Jesus when He was on earth. Can you detect a good balance of being on hand at times to meet the needs of the situation and at other times, removing himself from the situation at hand, taking time for prayer?

2. In his reply to the king’s query, Nehemiah said, ‘I was very much afraid.’ This came about at a time when he had just finished four long months of prayer before God. Why was he afraid? What does this tell us? A lack of faith? Part of being human? Is it wrong to display emotions that speak of one who is less than spiritual?

3. Nehemiah’s whole mind was his concern for Jerusalem. This is clearly detected from chapter one. Yet, not once in his reply did he mention the word ‘Jerusalem,’ but said instead, ‘the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.’ Do you think this is significant? See Ezra 4:19-21. What does this tell us? Was he merely being wise? Do you think it has to do with his four months of prayer?

4. What did Nehemiah do between the king’s question and the answer that he gave to the king? Answer: Vs. 4.

5. The prayer of Nehemiah in vs. 4 can be described as ‘arrow prayers.’ Should Christians avail themselves to such prayers? What earned Nehemiah ‘the right’ to utter such prayers? Look back into chapter one.

6. What is in verses 6-8 which tells us that besides praying, Nehemiah must have spent a lot of time planning and strategising. What does this tell us?

7. Compare what Nehemiah asked from the king, with that of Ezra’s position when it comes to asking for help. See Ezra 8:22,23. Is any one more spiritual than the other?

Devotional Reflection:

1. See Joshua 1:8,9. Can we detect the wisdom of ‘withdrawal’ and ‘involvement’ here, something that is the focus of our study today?

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