Living Stones - 1 Peter 2:4-12

1 Peter 2:4-12 - The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1. What is something that is very precious to you?

2. How did God and people treat the living Stone (Christ) differently? (2:4)

3. What will happen to those who trust in the "Cornerstone"? (2:6)

4. How was Christ treated differently by believers and unbelievers? (2:7)

5. In what way did the "Stone" (Christ) cause some people to stumble? (2:8)

6. How does our past compare with our present condition? (2:10)

7. Why is it important for believers to live good lives? (2:12)

8. How is Christ still being rejected by people today? Why?

9. How does being chosen by God for a special task make you feel?

10. What are the implications of believers being a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation?

11. Why is it so hard to abstain from sinful desires?

12. How do you need to change your plans for the near future so that you will be an example to the unbelievers with whom you have regular contact?

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?