BOOK OF NEHEMIAH – STUDY NOTES

PRAYER, PREPARATION & PARTNERSHIP – WK 2

I.               Prayer, Preparation and Partnership

b.     Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

                                          i.         Nehemiah 2:1-20                                Nehemiah assesses the damage

                                         ii.         1 Samuel 17:32-36, 40                        David tells King Saul about victories

                                        iii.         2 Chronicles 20:3-9, 20-22                  Jehoshaphat rallies his singers

BACKGROUND REFERENCE: NEHEMIAH 2:1-20

·      Nehemiah risked his life by going before the King with a sad countenance as Cupbearer.

·      Nehemiah prayed and requested specific provisions and time to rebuild Judah.

·      King Artaxerxes granted Nehemiah above and beyond what was originally requested.

·      Sanballet, governor of Samaria; Tobiah, ex-slave now high official of Persian Empire; and Gershem, leader of league of Arabian tribes.  Nehemiah was now surrounded by enemies who despised him in the North (Sanballet), East (Tobiah) and South (Gershem).

·      Nehemiah and his inner circle view the Judah’s walls by night before revealing his plans.

·      Nehemiah shares his conversations with God and his intent to fortify Judah’s walls.

LESSON NOTES

1.     AFTER YOU PRAY, TAKE TIME TO ASSESS THE CHALLENGE (Nehemiah 2:1-20)

 a.     Nehemiah uses the cloak of night to assess the walls                        Neh. 2:11-17

b.     Your preparation could lead to the Nation’s answer              Gen. 41:14-53

c.      Jesus gives revelation to a Samaritan woman at the well       John 4:1-42

Question #1 – What can you glean from Nehemiah’s approach to assessing the issue?

Question #2 – Which comes first; prayer or planning? Be honest…

Question #3 – What process do you use to assess your challenges or solve any issue?

Question #4 – What challenges are currently faced with that requires greater planning?

2.     LEARN FROM RECENT SUCCESSES AND APPLY APPROPRIATELY (1 Samuel 17:32-36, 40)

a.     David describes his previous battles                                                 1 Samuel 17:32-36

b.     Joshua instructs the people of God to cross the Jordan         Josh. 3:1-17

c.      Remember the prior works of the Lord                                Psalms 77:6-11

Question #1 – What does David’s account of his past tell us?

Question #2 – I thought we were instructed by Paul to “forget the things which are behind me?”

Question #3 – What prior successes are you most proud of?  How can they help today?

Question #4 – Is it easier to encourage others than yourself by reminding them of the past?

3.     SEEK GOD FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUCCESS (2 Chronicles 20:3-9, 20-22)

a.     Jeshoshaphat used fear of failure as a motivator                  2 Chron. 20:3-9

b.     Jesus petitions God for an alternative plan                           Matt. 26:36-46

c.      The Whole Armor of God is required for successful living      Eph. 6:10-20

Question #1 – Can you experience success without seeking God’s instructions?

Question #2 – Preparation requires intent…what are we praying success in?

Question #3 – What happens if you forget any portion of “The Whole Armor of God”?

Question #4 – Did Jesus have an option to go a different direction?  Alternative plan?  Do we?

NEXT WEEK’S LESSON: PARTNERSHIP - WK 3

c.     The Favor of God, in partnership with YOUR obedience, guarantees access to purpose.

                                          i.         Nehemiah 2:7-9                                  Nehemiah gets letters from the King

                                         ii.         Genesis 50:20                                     Joseph saves his people

                                        iii.         Matthew 16:13-20                              Peter is named the Rock

In preparation for next week’s review, please read Nehemiah 2:9 – 2:20; Nehemiah 3:1-32