NEHEMIAHD I S C O V E R

Rebuilding a LifeSAMPLE

NEHEMIAHD I S C O V E R

Rebuilding a Life

S T U D Y G U I D E

SAMPLE

We thank Rev. Edward W. Yoon for producing the original Korean text of this study, translated into English by James Jean-Woo Kim. We also thank Betty Wieland and Diane Averill, with ap-preciation to Brent Averill, for their contributions in adapting and revising the text. In addition, we thank Jeff Sajdak, dean of students at Calvin Theological Seminary, for contributions made in a theological review of the content.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATION-AL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Discover Your Bible series. Discover Nehemiah (Study Guide), © 2015 by Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407. All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. For information or questions about use of copyrighted material please contact Permissions, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407; phone: 1-800-333-8300; e-mail: permissions@faithaliveresources.org. Printed in the United States of America.

We welcome your comments. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us at editors@faithaliveresources.org.

ISBN 978-1-59255-743-1

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

SAMPLE

3

ContentsHow to Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Historical Snapshot for Studying Nehemiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Glossary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Lesson 1

Longing for Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Lesson 2

The Hard Work Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Lesson 3

Overcoming Obstacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Lesson 4

The Wall Is Completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Lesson 5

Joy in Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Lesson 6

Confession Is Good for the Soul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Lesson 7

Living as the Covenant People of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Lesson 8

Dedication and Perseverance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

An Invitation and Prayer of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Evaluation

SAMPLE

4

How to StudyThe questions in this study booklet will help you “do it yourself” and discover together what the Bible says.

Questions are the key to Bible discovery. Through questions you search for the writers’ thoughts and ideas. The questions in this study guide are designed to help you in your quest for answers. You can and should ask your own questions too. The Bible comes alive with meaning for many people as they uncover the exciting truths it contains. Our hope and prayer is that this guide will help the Bible come alive for you.

The questions in this study are designed to be used with the New Inter-national Version of the Bible, but other translations can also be used.

Step 1.

Read through each Bible passage several times. Allow the ideas to sink in. Think about the meaning of the passage.

Step 2.

Answer the questions in the “What does it say?” section of the study guide lesson, drawing your answers from each passage. Write answers in your own words. If you use Bible study aids such as commentaries, Bible handbooks, or Internet sites, do so only after completing your own personal study. Answering the questions before the group meets enables you to remember what you have discovered and to prepare for the group conversation.

SAMPLE

5

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Step 3.

Fill in the “Conversation” boxes with your questions and thoughts. Include questions that you would like to discuss with the group, topics that you would like to learn more about, and ideas from the passage that have made an impact on you. For example, in the “Conversation” boxes, you might include answers to questions like these:

• What is this passage saying to me?

• How does it challenge me? Comfort me?

• Is there a promise I can claim?

• For what can I give thanks?

Step 4.

Have fun talking with others about what you have discovered!

SAMPLE

9

Glossary of TermsAmmon, Ammonites—enemies of Israel to the east of the Jordan River,

located where the land of Jordan is today.

Artaxerxes—King of Persia in Nehemiah’s day; Artaxerxes ruled from 465-424 B.C.

Assyria—a powerful empire known for its brutality in conquering many nations; the Assyrian Empire overtook the northern kingdom (ten tribes) of Israel in 722 B.C. It was later conquered by the Babylonian Empire, which was conquered by the Persians in 539 B.C.

Babylon—ancient capital of the Babylonian Empire, which conquered Jerusalem and Judah in 586 B.C. and took many of the people into exile.

book of the annals—a record of events pertaining to the temple; it included various lists of names.

Book of the Law of Moses—a book containing the law of God given to Moses, recorded mainly in Exodus and Leviticus; this term often also referred to the whole Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.

City of David—a name for Jerusalem, also called Zion after the fortress David conquered on this site (see 2 Sam. 5:7); in Nehemiah’s day the southeast hill in Jerusalem was called “the City of David” (Neh. 3:15; 12:37).

covenant—a binding agreement between two parties; in the Old Testa-ment era this term referred to God’s covenant with Israel.

cupbearer—a trusted official who would taste the king’s wine to see if it was poisonous before the king drank it.

daric—a gold coin used in Persia weighing 8.4 grams and apparently named for Darius I, a leading king in Persia.

Darius—the name of at least three kings of ancient Persia.

Elul—the sixth month on the ancient Jewish calendar, usually corre-sponding to portions of August-September on the Western calendar.

SAMPLE

16

My thoughts about . . .What Does It Say?

1. Nehemiah 2:11-16

a. What strategic thing did Nehemiah do after returning to Jerusalem?

b. Why did Nehemiah not involve many others at first?

2. Nehemiah 2:17-20

a. What did Nehemiah do to motivate the Jewish leaders? How did they respond, and why?

2 Nehemiah 2:11–3:32

The Hard Work BeginsGetting Started

God’s gracious hand had been on Nehemiah, and he was granted his heart’s desire, permission from King Artaxerxes to return to his home-land to repair the city of his ancestors. The wall of Jerusalem in Judah was still in ruin. In this lesson, let’s see how Nehemiah sets about accomplishing his mission.SAMPLE

17

Let’s talk about . . .b. Who entered the scene as an opposing

force, and in what way?

c. How did Nehemiah and the others respond to these attacks?

3. Nehemiah 3:1

Note: This section includes many names that may be unfamiliar and difficult to pronounce. Don’t let that slow you down. Focusing mainly on the action in this chapter will help make the reading easier.

Who took initiative in rebuilding the wall, and why was that appropriate?

4. Nehemiah 3:2-32

a. Describe how the work was organized for rebuilding the wall. Who was in-volved, and how did they accomplish it?

SAMPLE

18

b. Who did not help with the work? Why do you think Nehemiah singles them out?

c. Contrast the nobles of Tekoa (3:5) with those who repaired various other gates. What did these people contribute to the rebuilding of the wall?

d. What were the benefits for the people who worked on the areas near their homes?

e. What did Nehemiah accomplish by dividing the wall into manageable sections between the various gates? Why was it important to keep such detailed records of the work and the people who contributed?

For conversation . . .

SAMPLE

19

f. Each person used their own position and experience in the most suitable way. What can we learn from this example?

Taking It Home

a. How is the story in this lesson a model for working together to accomplish a goal?

b. What part did Nehemiah play in making this project a success?

I wonder about . . .

SAMPLE

43

An InvitationListen now to what God is saying to you.

You may be aware of things in your life that keep you from coming near to God. You may have thought of God as someone who is unsympathetic, angry, and punishing. You may feel as if you don’t know how to pray or how to come near to God.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross to save us from our sins. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you’ve done in the past, or what your heritage is. God has been watching over you and caring for you, drawing you closer. “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).

Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It’s as simple as A-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and that you need God’s forgiveness.

• Believe that God loves you and that Jesus has already paid the price for your sins.

• Commit your life to God in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive your sins, nurture you as his child, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of CommitmentHere is a prayer of commitment recognizing Jesus Christ as Savior. If you long to be in a loving relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer. If you have already committed your life to Jesus, use this prayer for renewal and praise.

Dear God, I come to you simply and honestly to confess that I have sinned, that sin is a part of who I am. And yet I know that you listen to sinners who are truthful before you. So I come with empty hands and heart, asking for forgiveness.

SAMPLE

44

I confess that only through faith in Jesus Christ can I come to you. I confess my need for a Savior, and I thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Father, I ask that you forgive my sins and count me as righteous for Jesus’ sake. Remove the guilt that accompanies my sin, and bring me into your presence.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to pray, and teach me to live by your Word. Faithful God, help me to serve you faithfully. Make me more like Jesus each day, and help me to share with others the good news of your great salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BibliographyBarker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger III. Zondervan NIV Bible

Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1994.

Boice, James M. Nehemiah: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1990.

Clinton, Richard, and Paul Leavenworth. Starting Well: Building a Strong Foundation for a Lifetime of Ministry. Altadena, Calif.: Barnabas Pub-lishers, 1994.

Clinton, J. Robert. Leadership Emergence Theory: A Self-Study Manual for Analyzing the Development of a Christian Leader. Altadena, Calif.: Barnabas Resources, 1989.

Elwell, Walter A., ed. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1988.

Fensham, F. Charles. The Book of Ezra and Nehemiah. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

Getz, Gene A. Nehemiah: Becoming a Disciplined Leader. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.

Kidner, Derek. Ezra and Nehemiah: Tyndale Old Testament Commentar-ies. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1979.

NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2011.

SAMPLE

D I S C O V E R Y O U R B I B L E S E R I E SBible Studies for Small Groups

NEHEMIAHAfter the exiled people of God are freed to return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah gets involved in some important rebuilding, and he shows significant leadership in rallying the people to rededicate their work and their lives to God. Discover God’s way to rebuild what’s been broken and how God remains faithful along the way.

The Discover Your Bible series inspires readers to discover together what the Bible says and means. Participants dive into the text using questions that spark meaningful conversation and personalized application. Every lesson is designed to be a framework that guides groups on a unique and transformative journey. Discover more at DiscoverYourBible.org.

S T U D Y G U I D E

RaiseUpGlobal.org 152880

SAMPLE