BOOK OF NEHEMIAH – STUDY NOTES
The foundation of the “Book of Nehemiah” teaching will follow these three (3) topics:
1) Prayer, Preparation & Partnership;
2) Vision Casting, Defeating Vision Killers; Re-casting Vision; and,
3) Re-dedication; Continual Improvement of Purpose
I will use the 12-lesson structure to present a 90-day view of Nehemiah’s life and strategies to communicate how you if applies to our lives. Major topics and how they coincide will be as follows:
I. The Arrival of Nehemiah (1:1 – 2:20)
a. Laying the Foundation – Prayer (Neh. 1:1-11)
b. Creating Windows of Opportunity (Neh. 2:1-8)
c. Building Up Your Crew (Neh. 2:9-20)
II. The Building of the Wall (3:1-7:73)
a. Constructing A Vision of Hope (Neh. 3:1-32)
b. Demolishing Discouragement (Neh. 4:1-6)
c. Renovating Hope (Neh. 4:7-15)
d. Forging A Band of Brothers (Neh. 4:15-23)
e. Cementing Relationships in Conflict (Neh. 5:1-13)
f. Catching the View from the Top (Neh. 5:14-19)
g. Blunting the Chisel of Criticism (Neh. 6:1-14)
III. The Reforms of Ezra & Nehemiah (8:1-13:31)
a. Remodeling The Interior (Neh. 8:1-9:3)
b. Nailing Down Obedience (Neh. 13:4-31)
KEY POINTS
1. Prayer, Preparation and Partnership
A. A prayer life cultivated by faith in God produces successful outcomes
Nehemiah 1:4-11 Nehemiah fasts and prays
James 5:16 Effectual, fervent prayer
1 King 18:36, 37, 42-46 Elijah prays for fire to fall
B. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah assesses the damage
1 Samuel 17:32-36, 40 David tells King Saul about victories
2 Chronicles 20:3-9, 20-22 Jehoshaphat rallies his singers
C. The Favor of God, in partnership with YOUR obedience, guarantees access to purpose.
Nehemiah 2:7-9 Nehemiah gets letters from the King
Genesis 50:20 Joseph saves his people
Matthew 16:13-20 Peter is named the Rock
2. Vision Casting, Defeating Vision Killers and Re-casting Vision
A. God gives the Visionary vision; but He gives PEOPLE to execute the vision.
Nehemiah 2:18-20 The People caught the vision
Nehemiah 3:1-32 Work divided into sections
Exodus 18:13-27 Jethro give blueprint to Moses
B. There will always be detractors; STAY THE COURSE
Nehemiah 4:1-3 Sanballat and Tobiah
2 Kings 6:17 Elijah prays to open his servant’s eyes
Matthew 20:24-29 Thomas needs confirmation
C. Re-casting vision is an important part of the journey
Nehemiah 4:13-23 People getting weary from taunting
3. Re-Dedication, Continual Improvement of Purpose
A. The Father responds to His Children
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people…
B. Revisit and Re-focus
Nehemiah 9:1-3 Congregation read the Law together
Acts 9:1-18, 19-22 Saul’s conversion to Paul