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