SG Bible Study #5
Suggested
Opening Song:
I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives
He lives within my heart
In all the world around me, I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing, will come at last
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind
Sharing as desired on an individual basis
(Optional)
‘Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."’ Matthew 19:26
Whether in twos or threes or as a group, commit all that has been shared into prayer.
Nehemiah 2: 10-20
Membership has its Privileges and
Responsibilities. The vision of our
church is to be a Worshipping and Witnessing community to the glory of God.
As members of the church, we should each one have our own aspirations, dreams
and visions, to the end that we can look back one day and be thankful that
what we say and do contributed to the way the church took shape. What legacy would we like to leave behind?
How can we bring it to fruition?
Discussion:
I. Communicating your ideas
(vvs. 11-18)
1. Neh.
i.
Procrastination?
From what we know of him in the past, is he one given to that?
ii.
Stalling for time as he changed his mind? Is it
possible?
iii.
Needed rest? Is
it wrong to rest? (See Gen. 2:2,3;
Ezra 8:31,32)
iv. What
else? (Neh. 2:12-15) Any lesson to learn here?
2.
In vs. 16, Nehemiah made mentioned as to how much he shared with those
around him. The verse says, ‘The officials
did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said
nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who
would be doing the work.’
Very often, it
is the small words in a sentence that is the key to what we can learn.
In the above verse, (and without looking below) what do you think are
the two small words that are important?
Answer: ‘as yet’ – It means, ‘not yet, but he will.’
i. What lesson can we learn from here?
ii. There are some who tend to under-communicate their ideas. Are you like that?
iii. There are others who tend towards over-communicating their ideas. Are you like that?
- Lesson - Communicate to appropriate people at appropriate time (vvs. 16-18)
II. Contending with your enemies
(vs 10,19)
3.
Read vvs 10 and 19. Observe the kind of opposition that Nehemiah
had to face. What is
being mentioned that tells us that he was facing incremental opposition?
(Consider the number of people and the kind of opposition that was
meted).
4. Despite
the increasing opposition, Nehemiah stood his ground. What was it that kept him going? What does vs. 17 say that might throw some light
to this answer?
5. Nehemiah
sought help from God as he contended with his enemies. Observe the progression - In
Devotional Reflection:
1. What are your dreams and aspirations for Bethesda Chapel? Remember that it is prudent to share with the appropriate people at the appropriate time. Realise also that you will have to contend with opposition. What is it that will keep you going? If is of the Lord, He will grant you success.
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