BOOK OF NEHEMIAH – STUDY NOTES (4/30/20)

VISION CASTING, DEFEATING VISION KILLERS and RE-CASTING VISION – WK 5

 

II.             DEFEATING VISION KILLERS

 

b.     There will always be detractors; STAY THE COURSE…

 

           i.         Nehemiah 4:1-3                                 Sanballat and Thobias

           ii.         2 Kings 6:17                                      Elisha prays to open servant’s eyes

           iii.         John 20:24-29                                 Thomas needs confirmation

 

 BACKGROUND REFERENCE: NEHEMIAH 4:1-23; 2 KINGS 6:8-23; JOHN 20:17-34

·       Nehemiah teaches us the connection between praying hard and working hard in the service of God.

·       From the moment reconstruction began, Nehemiah and the Jews faced immense opposition.

·       People will ostracize and seek harm to you because of God’s Favor upon your life.

·       God provides provisions before your enemies despite their plans to do you harm.

·       There will be times that you have to stand alone because of your faith.

·       God will repay all the detractors that have stood in the way of His Will.

 

LESSON NOTES

 

1.     GOD’S WORK NEVER GOES FORWARD WITHOUT OPPOSITION (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

a.     Sanballat and Thobias mocked the builders in public             Neh. 4:1-3

b.     Jeremiah asks God not to forgive his enemies’ iniquity          Jer. 18:23

c.      Continuous persecution can fill the heart with contempt      Psalm 123

 Question #1 – If you’re a parent, how have you coached your kids to respond to bullies?

Question #2 – What can we learn positively and negatively about Nehemiah’s prayer?

Question #3 – When you face criticism for doing right, how should you think about your critics?

Question #4 – How can your undying trust in God impact your environment during persecution?

 

2.     GOD’S LOVE WILL MAKE YOU LOVE THOSE THAT MEAN HARM TO YOU (2 Kings 6:17)

a.     Elisha prays that God open the eyes of the Syrian army        2 Kings 6:17

b.     Jesus explains that “the law of love” is about giving love      Matt. 5:43-47

c.      “Vengeance is mine; I will repay sayeth the Lord”                 Rom. 12:20

Question #1 – Have you ever been in a situation where you had to show love to your enemy?

Question #2 – Is it easy or difficult for you to give love to your enemy? Past? Present?

Question #3 – When you face criticism for doing right, how should you pray for your critics? 

Question #4 – Do you think God wants you to grow in your ability to stand up against criticism?

 

3.     PRESS FORWARD TO FULFILL GOD’S VISION DESPITE THE CRITICISM (John 20:24-29)

a.     Jesus satisfies Thomas’ need to confirm that He had risen     John 20:24-29

b.     Leaders lead during crises and times of diversity                  Nehemiah 4:14,23

c.      Maintain your integrity during times of criticism                   Job 2:9,10; 13:15 

Question #1 – Do you believe Thomas’ actions were worth modeling? Why? Why not?

Question #2 – How does God use you to rise above the negativity and remain on a positive path?

Question #3 – When you face criticism for doing right, how should your attitude be publicly?

Question #4 – Is it important to illustrate our commitment to our Vision Killers?

  

NEXT WEEK’S LESSON:  RECASTING VISION - WK 6

 

c.     Re-casting vision is an important part of the journey

   i.         Nehemiah 4:13-23                              People getting weary from taunting

In preparation for next week’s review, please read the following:

Nehemiah 4:1-23

Habakkuk 2:1-4

Deuteronomy 1:1-8