Nehemiah 13:1-31 - God's People Must Persevere

Nehemiah 13:1-31 - God's People Must Persevere

1. How good are you at keeping promises?

2. What are the indications in this chapter that the Israelites have slipped away from obeying God?

3. What did the Israelites discover when they read the Book of Moses at the celebration? (13:1-2)

4. What did the people do in response to what they discovered in the Book of Moses? (13:3)

5. What evil deed had Eliashib the priest done? (13:4-5)

6. How did Nehemiah react to Eliashib's sin? (13:7-9)

7. What had forced the Levites to return to their own fields? (13:10)

8. How did Nehemiah choose the men to put in charge of the storerooms? (13:13)

9. Of what sins were the people of Israel guilty? (13:15-16, 23-24)

10. Who has helped keep you accountable in your Christian walk?

11. What does this story reveal about the attitude we should have toward worshiping God?

12. In what ways should our treatment of the Sabbath differ from Old Testament law?

13. How would you like others to help you in dealing with your own sin?

Nehemiah 11:1-12:47 God's People Celebrate a New Beginning

Nehemiah 11:1-12:47 God's People Celebrate a New Beginning

1. How do you like to spend your weekends?

2. How did Israel celebrate the completion of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem? (12:27-47)

3. What has the Lord done in your life recently that motivates you to praise Him?

4. What does Nehemiah teach us through his example in choosing leaders?

5. What role did prayer play in Nehemiah's life?

6. Who has helped keep you accountable in your Christian walk?

7. How do you need to change your actions or attitudes toward church or worship?

8. When can you take time to pray each day this week?

9. Who is one person who could help keep you accountable in your spiritual life?

Nehemiah 10:1-40 God's People Obey God

Nehemiah 10:1-40 God's People Obey God

1. When is a written contract important?

2. Why did the people of Israel want to make a binding agreement? (9:38)

3. Why did the people separate themselves from their neighbors? (10:28)

4. With what general oath did the people bind themselves? (10:29)

5. What were the specifics of the oath between God and the people of Israel? (10:30-39)

6. What offerings did the people promise to give to the Lord? (10:32-33)

7. Why was it necessary to cast lots? (10:34)

8. In what ways did the people promise to care for the priests and the temple? (10:34-39)

9. What prompted the Israelites to renew their commitment to God?

10. When have difficult circumstances in your life motivated you to seek the Lord?

11. How can it be helpful to write a declaration of commitment to God?

12. What methods can we use to keep ourselves accountable to the promises we make to the Lord?

13. How can we demonstrate thankfulness to the Lord for His forgiveness?

14. Who can help you be accountable to stay true to your intentions to serve God?

Nehemiah 9:1-38 - God's People Confess

Nehemiah 9:1-38 - God's People Confess

1. What's something you've learned the hard way despite clear warnings from others?

2. What specific steps did the people take to restore their relationship with the Lord? (9:1-3)

3. What role did the Levites play in this event? (9:4-5)

4. Why did the Levites offer praise to God? (9:5-15)

5. What were some of the ways God provided for and protected the people of Israel? (9:5-15)

6. According to the Levites, why did the Lord keep His promises? (9:8)

7. What mistake did Israel's forefathers make? (9:16-17)

8. Why did the Lord allow Israel to be oppressed by their enemies? (9:26-27)

9. What request did the Levites present to the Lord? (9:32-36)

10. What sinful pattern did Israel repeat?

11. Why is it our tendency to remember God only in the good times?

12. If you wrote a passage about your own history of walking with the Lord, what themes would you see?

13. When can fasting and praying be beneficial?

14. How does remembering God's provision for you in the past encourage you?

15. What should we do to restore our relationship with the Lord whenever we realize we have been acting selfishly?

16. When can you take some time this week for confession and recommitment to obeying God?

Nehemiah 8:1-18 - God's people Celebrate God's Word

Nehemiah 8:1-18 - God's people Celebrate God's Word

1। When or in what circumstances do you find it easy to be enthusiastic about what you are doing?

2. Why did the people of Israel assemble at the Water Gate? (8:1)

3. What attitude did the people of Israel have toward the Book of the Law? (8:3, 6, 9, 17)

4। What specific steps did Ezra and the other leaders take to make this event practical for everyone? (8:5-8)

5. Why did the leaders declare the day sacred? (8:9)

6. What words of encouragement did Nehemiah offer the people of Israel? (8:10)

7. How had the events of this day changed the lives of the people of Israel? (8:12)

8. What specific instructions did the leaders glean from the Book of the Law? (8:14-15)

9. In what specific ways are Israel's actions in this passage a good model for us today?

10. As Christians what reasons do we have to celebrate?

11. How should we follow the example of the leaders of Israel in this story?

12. What prompts you to praise and worship the Lord?

13. How can we guard against apathy toward God's Word?

14. What specific changes do you want to make in your Bible reading habits this week?

Nehemiah 6:1-14 - God's Place Rebuilt

Nehemiah 6:1-14 - God's Place Rebuilt

1. When have you ever felt intimidated by someone, and how did it make you feel?

2. What would you tell a child who was being picked on by a bully?

3. What are some of the efforts at intimidation found in this chapter?

4. If you had been Nehemiah what would your reaction have been?

5. What was different about the fifth time Sanballat sent the message to Nehemiah? (6:5-7)

6. What did Nehemiah's opponents assume would be the result of their threats? (6:9)

7. What did Nehemiah think of Shemaiah's advice?
What insight did the Lord give to Nehemiah regarding Shemaiah's advice? (6:11,12)

8. Why didn't Nehemiah back down as his opponents wanted? (6:12-13)

9. What basic principles did Nehemiah follow when he faced opposition?

10. When do you think it is important to fight back, and when is it better to back down?

11. What opposition do you face in your Christian walk?

12. How can we discern insincerity or dishonesty when we see it?

13. To what task or project do you want to recommit your efforts?

14. What specific steps can you take to strengthen your commitment to the responsibilities God has given you?

Nehemiah 5:1-19 - God's People Challenged

Nehemiah 5:1-19 - God's People Challenged

1. What are some reasons people choose not to get involved in social issues?

2. What is the conflict between some of the Jews at the beginning of this story? (5:1-5)

3. What caused the Israelites' problems? (5:3-5)

4. How did Nehemiah react to the Israelites' complaints? (5:6)

5. What accusations did Nehemiah make against the officials? (5:7-11)

6. What action did Nehemiah take on behalf of the Israelites? (5:7-18)

7. How did the officials respond to Nehemiah's accusations? Why? (5:8, 12)

8. In what ways was Nehemiah different from other officials? (5:14-18)

9. What did Nehemiah want in return for his generosity to the Israelites? (5:19)

10. Why do you think Nehemiah sacrificed what he rightfully deserved as a governor?

11. How would you like to contribute to solving a particular social problem that concerns you?

12. What could you do today to encourage a friend who is struggling or hurting?

Nehemiah 3:1-32 God directs and protects

Nehemiah 3:1-32 God directs and protects

1। When have you most enjoyed working with a team of people?

2. How did the priests set the example for all the Israelites? (3:1)

3. What does the priests' dedication of their work reveal about their motivation? (3:1)

4. What kinds of people were involved in rebuilding Jerusalem? (3:1-32)

5. What does the wide spectrum of people involved reveal about the Israelites' commitment to this project? (3:1-32)

6. Keeping in mind the practical reason for the restoration of the city, why was most of the rebuilding focused on the gates? (3:1-32)

7. Why did the common people of Tekoa have to do double-duty work in rebuilding the walls of the city? (3:5, 27)

8. How did the Israelites decide who would rebuild what? (3:10, 28, 30)

9. What effect do you think this accomplishment had on the people involved?

10. How can you guard against the conceited attitude of the nobles of Tekoa?

11. What does this passage reveal about the best way to accomplish an overwhelming task?

12. What overwhelming challenge do you face?

13. What should we do whenever we finish a big project or experience success?

14. What steps can you take this week to depend on God and others to help you face the challenges in your life?

Nehemiah 2:1-10 - God gives success

Nehemiah 2:1-10 - God gives success

1. How would you go about asking a big favor of a boss or other influential person?

2. What techniques do people often use to cope with fear?

3. At what time did this story take place? (2:1)

4. How had Nehemiah acted in the king's presence in the past? (2:1)

5. What did the king ask Nehemiah? (2:2)

6. What did Nehemiah have to overcome to give the king an honest answer? (2:2-3)

7. What did Nehemiah do before he told the king what he wanted? (2:4)

8। Why did Nehemiah ask that letters be sent to the governors of Trans-Euphrates? ( 2:7)

9. How did Nehemiah explain the generosity of the king? (2:8)

10. Who was disturbed by Nehemiah's actions? Why? (2:10)

11. How would you describe Nehemiah's actions in this situation?

12. How did Nehemiah demonstrate his dependence on God?

13. What fears do you need to overcome?

14। What can you learn from Nehemiah about the role prayer should play in your everyday life?

15. What specific problem do you want to confront with greater courage this week?

Nehemiah 1:1-11 - God begins the project

Nehemiah 1:1-11 - God begins the project

1 If you were going through a painful experience, what would you want your friends to do for you?

2. When did the events of this passage take place? (1:1)

3. Why did Nehemiah question his brother? (1:1-2)

4. How did Nehemiah react to the news about Jerusalem and the exiles? (1:4)

5. How did Nehemiah describe God in his prayer? (1:5)

6. What is the major theme of Nehemiah's prayer? (1:5-11)

7. What promise of the Lord could the Israelites claim, according to Nehemiah? (1:9)

8. How did Nehemiah describe the people of Israel in his prayer? (1:10)

9. What specific request did Nehemiah ask God to grant him? (1:11)

10. What admirable traits do you see demonstrated by Nehemiah?

11. What did Nehemiah's prayer accomplish?

12. How do you think you need to change your prayer habits?

13. What can we learn from Nehemiah's example about how to deal with disappointment?

14. How do you plan to react differently to setbacks from now on?