SG Bible Study #6
Suggested Opening Song:
There’s a work for Jesus, Ready at your hands
‘Tis a task the Master, Just for you has planned
Haste to do His bidding, Yield Him service true
There’s a work for Jesus, None but you can do
Work for Jesus, day by day
Serve Him ever, falter never, Christ obey
Yield Him service, loyal, true
There’s a work for Jesus, none but you can do
There’s a work for Jesus, Humble though it be
‘Tis the very service, He would ask of thee
Go where fields are whitened, And the labourers few
There’s a work for Jesus, None but you can do
There’s a work for Jesus, Precious souls to bring
Tell them of His mercies, Tell them of your King
Faint not, grow not weary, He will strength renew
There’s a work for Jesus, None but you can do
Sharing as desired on an individual basis (Optional)
‘[2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of
the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit -
just as you were called to one hope when you were called - [5] one Lord, one
faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through
all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-5
Prayer
‘Until now you have not asked for anything in my
name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.’ John 16:24
Scripture
Nehemiah 3:1-32
Introduction:
Question for sharing: Do you enjoy abstract art? Why?
Did you get to read the entire chapter? What do you think?
A pointless waste of writing space in the Bible? Read again! This chapter
in fact has been viewed by historians as providing excellent topographical knowledge
of the ancient city of
Nehemiah 3 is like a piece of abstract art – appreciated by some and neglected by others. Our Bible Study today helps us to look at this chapter like abstract art. Within its seemingly meaningless record of names and tasks, it contains divine principles and guidance for our everyday living as a body of God’s people, together serving God under the same umbrella.
Discussion:
1. Warming Up Questions: Skim through the 32 verses. How
many different names are there?
a. What are some of their
vocations?
b. Who would you consider to be probably ‘softies’ among
them? Why do you consider it significant that they were also involved in the
rebuilding?
2.
Read verse 14.
a. What is the name of that gate? What does it tell you
about that place?
b.
Share what that place is equivalent to whether here
in
c. Who was assigned for his task in this location? Any spiritual lesson?
3. Think for a while the people mentioned in this chapter.
a. Where else have you read about them? Are there many
of them mentioned elsewhere?
b. Probably these names will not cross our minds very often. But they are important enough to be credited and recorded for eternity of their contributions to the rebuilding of the broken walls. What does this tell us about voluntary service in the church? See John 10:3. What kind of encouragement can we derive from this verse?
c. Can you find some repeated names but whom you know are not the same people in this chapter? How do you know? Any thoughts in relation to this?
4. Most of the names mentioned are men. True.
a. Were the womenfolk left out? See vs. 12.
b. Do you feel that the brethren church hampers women ministry?
c. Do you feel the place of women in OUR church is restricted?
5. Take a look at verses 2,4,7,17-32.
a. What is the repeated phrase mentioned
over and over again?
b. What has this to tell us about serving together in the church?
c. What picture language is used by Paul to describe the importance of unity in ministry in the church?
6. If not for what is recorded in vs. 5, this would have been a ‘perfect’ picture
of unity.
a. Who were the people who were out of
the game?
b. What was the reason?
c. What implication has it in relation to our own service in church?
Devotional Reflection:
What role do I have in Bethesda Chapel? Am I a positive contributing
factor to the work of the Lord here? Some people say, ‘Count me out.’ Others
say, ‘Count on me.’ Which group do you belong?
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