Session One

1. When have you ever been homesick? Describe how you felt.
2. Read Nehemiah 1.
   
3. Why is Nehemiah so concerned about Jerusalem?
   
4. How does Nehemiah respond to the news about Jerusalem? What does that say about his relationship with God?
   
5. In Nehemiah's prayer what insight do you get into a) God's nature; & b) Nehemiah's character by his acknowledgement of his own personal disobedience toward God.
   
6. As he prays, what does Nehemiah recall and what is the final basis for his appeal to God?
   
7. How grieved are you about the spiritual state of people? How do you express this concern: Prayer? Outreach?
   
8. Read Nehemiah 2.
   
9. It has been 3 months since the prayer of Chapter 1. What do you think Nehemiah has been doing?
   
10. How does Nehemiah's position as cupbearer to the king relate to his expression of fear in verse 3?
    
11. What does Nehemiah do immediately before responding to the King's question, "What is it you want?" When he responds, how does Nehemiah give respect to the king and reveal his understanding of the interplay of dependence upon God and the use of human planning?
    
12. What opposition looms in the future to the rebuilding of the walls?
    
13. What does Nehemiah do upon his arrival in Jerusalem? Why do you think he didn't share his plans for rebuilding the walls until after his inspection?
    
14. How does Nehemiah rally people around his vision to rebuild the walls?
    
15. Who shows up to oppose the work and how does Nehemiah respond?
    
16. How could walls be a negative image in the minds of non-believers today? What is the positive role rebuilding the walls will serve for Jerusalem?
    
17. How would you describe "the church's" walls today?
    
18. Close in prayer for those who are not in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Think about specific individuals by name. Pray for the church and it ministry to those who are not in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Session Two

1. What teams have you been on before? What did you enjoy about that team experience and what did you find challenging?
   
2. Read Nehemiah 3.
   
3. What image that's used in the New Testament in describing the church relates well to how the people came together and worked together to begin the rebuilding? (see 1Corinthians 12:12-27) What attitudes must be present for such interdependence to be successful?
   
4. What attitude did the "nobles of Tekoa" exhibit when given an opportunity to work? What tasks in the church might be viewed by people as unattractive or might be avoided because you could get your "hands too dirty?"
   
5. Read Nehemiah 4.
   
6. Who opposes the rebuilding of the walls? Why do you think they express such strong opposition? How do they express such opposition?
   
7. Where does Nehemiah turn for support in the face of the opposition? How is this consistent with how he dealt with the king in Chapter 2? Does the tone of his prayer surprise you a little? Is so, why? How is the work of the people described after Nehemiah's prayer?
   
8. What is the next threat against the rebuilding and what response does Nehemiah make? Again, what is his first step?
   
9. How would you describe the internal "threat" which develops for the project? What is Nehemiah's plan in response? Why would posting a defense "by families" be a good strategy?
   
10. Why would the "man who sounded the trumpet" stay with Nehemiah? What does that suggest about Nehemiah's role?
    
11. Have you or your church ever attempted something so big it seemed "out of your reach?" Why or why not?
    
12. What gives you more difficulty: internal or external opposition? Why? What approach did Jesus teach as far as dealing with conflict? (See Matthew 18) Have you ever been involved in a situation that involved a Matthew 18 type approach to resolution? What did you learn?
    
13. Close in prayer: focus upon the church as the body of Christ, the concept of functioning as a team, and the Biblical approach to dealing with internal and external conflict.

Session Three

1. What role can the church corporately or church members individually play in meeting the financial needs of other church members? What are the possible pitfalls and how might you avoid them?
   
2. Read Nehemiah 5.
   
3. What is the nature of the "great outcry?"
   
4. What was Nehemiah's initial emotional response to the "outcry" and then what did he do and who did he confront?
   
5. What was the initial response of those to Nehemiah's accusation and then what did they promise to do? How did Nehemiah impress upon them the solemn nature of their promises?
   
6. What "lifestyle" choices did Nehemiah make about how he lived and ate? Why? What impact do you suppose Nehemiah's example had on other leaders? How can this sort of example be "lived out" by those leading churches today?
   
7. Read Chapter 6.
   
8. What final strategy is employed by those opposing the rebuilding and how does Nehemiah respond?
   
9. How do Nehemiah's responses reflect again (as in Chapter 2's discussion) the interplay of a dependence upon God and the use of human discernment?
   
10. What final attempt do they make to try and discredit Nehemiah and how does he respond?
    
11. How long did it take to complete the wall (keep in mind that it had lain in ruins for approximately 140 years) and how did the enemies respond to the news? What did they realize?
    
12. What is the most satisfying "kingdom building" work what you have ever been involved in? Why was it so satisfying? How was God glorified in the work?
    
13. Close in prayer: focus upon being sensitive and responsive to the needs of others in your church in appropriate ways that will bless them and honor God, perseverance in the face of opposition and discernment in the interplay of dependence upon God and using your gifts and abilities in serving in the church.

Session Four

1. Describe a large project or task that you have been a part of completing. How did you "celebrate" or "mark" the completion?
   
2. Read Nehemiah 7.
   
3. Why was Hananiah selected as one of the people to be "in charge" of Jerusalem? Why are these qualities so important to Nehemiah?
   
4. What process did Nehemiah follow for re-populating Jerusalem? Why was the genealogical record so important? How are we "genealogically qualified" to enter God's presence?
   
5. What role has your family played in your spiritual journey? Who outside your family has played a significant role in your spiritual development? What are the qualities that you would like to pass on to your children and how do you intend to do that?
   
6. Read Nehemiah 8.
   
7. Why did the people gather on the first day of the seventh month and what took place?
   
8. What steps were taken that reflect the serious nature of this gathering?
   
9. How did the people first respond to the reading of the Law? How did Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites respond to the weeping of the people?
   
10. What particular observance did they discover that they had neglected and what did they do in response to this discovery?
    
11. How many days did Ezra read from the Law?
    
12. How important as reading God's Word been in your own spiritual renewal? As you have read God's Word, can you identify with both the weeping and the joy expressed by the Israelites? Explain.

Session Five

1. What does confession mean to you and was it a part of your growing up?
   
2. Read Nehemiah 9.
   
3. What is the occasion for the public and corporate confession of the Israelites?
   
4. What three components of worship do they engage in?
   
5. What's the purpose of the "history lesson?" Is it just for nostalgia or does it play a role in their future as a people?
6. Read Nehemiah 10.
   
7. What is the nature of the "agreement" that they make?
   
8. Why did they put it in writing?
   
9. Why do you think stewardship is such a focus of their "agreement?" Why the emphasis upon "first fruit," "first born" and "first" of their grain?
   
10. Is personal stewardship a reliable indicator of commitment to God and His work? Why or Why not?
    
11. Read Nehemiah 11.
    
12. Why do you think people were so reluctant to live in Jerusalem?
    
13. Is your church playing a role in ministering to those living in "unattractive" areas of your city? Describe

Session Six

1. Describe the type of music that you would choose for a large Thanksgiving type celebration?
   
2. Read Nehemiah 12:27-47.
   
3. How did the Israelites celebrate the dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem? Describe the role of the various groups (priests, Levites & singers).
   
4. Why did they have a procession and who participated?
   
5. After they concluded their procession, where did they go and how would you describe the worship that took place?
   
6. What do the people do to ensure that those who serve in the temple are cared for? What are you doing as an individual and as a church, to ensure the those who serve in your church are cared for?
   
7. Recalling Nehemiah's lonely scouting of the broken walls in chapter 2, what do you think he is thinking and feeling on this day of dedication?
   
8. Read Nehemiah 13.
   
9. What happened in Jerusalem while Nehemiah is away in Babylon?
   
10. How would you describe Nehemiah's attitude upon his return? How did he verbalize his description of what the Israelites had done? What reforms does he implement?
    
11. How would you describe the nature of Nehemiah's objection regarding Sabbath practices? What does it mean to you to observe "the Sabbath?" What Biblical principles shape your current understanding of observing "the Sabbath?
    
12. What were the primary goals of Nehemiah's reforms? What church practices have you observed that you believe call for reform? What is your role in implementing these reforms?
    
13. What is the most important thing that you have learned from Nehemiah as applied to you personally? To your church?