BOOK OF NEHEMIAH – STUDY NOTES (5/21/20)
RE-DEDICATION, CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT OF PURPOSE – WK 8
a. RE-DEDICATION
a. The Father responds to His Children
i. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my People…
b. Re-visit and Re-focus
ii. Nehemiah 9:1-3 Congregation read the Law together
iii. Acts 9:1-18; 19-22 Saul’s conversion to Paul
BACKGROUND REFERENCE: 1 KINGS 8:22-61; 2 CHRONICLES 6:12-42;
1 KINGS 9:1-9; 2 CHRONICLES 7:12-22; NEHEMIAH 8:1-9-3; ACTS 9:1-22
· Solomon brings the ark into the temple, dedicates the temple, prays and makes a sacrifice to God.
· God receives Solomon’s prayer and dedication; and in turn, makes a covenant with Solomon.
· Ezra the scribe read and explained the Book of the Law from Moses to the People of God.
· People of God were so serious about their relationship with God they fasted and repented.
· The power of God revealed in each encounter of His presence.
LESSON NOTES
1. THE BIBLE CONTAINS GOD’S COMPLETE WRITTEN REVELATION (Neh. 9:1-3)
a. God’s People should be eager to read the Bible. Psalm 63:1-7 (read)
b. God’s People should be eager to understand the Bible. Luke 24:45; 1 John 5:20
c. God’s People should be eager to apply the Bible. James 1:19-27
Question #1 – How overjoyed are you when you read about what God did for others?
Question #2 – What does reading the Bible remind you to do? To be? To act?
Question #3 – What does the understanding of the Bible teach you about blessed assurance?
Question #4 – What hinderances are in your life that prohibit you from applying the Word?
2. DEVOTED STUDIES PRODUCE A DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (Ezra 7:10)
a. Ezra determines to study and teach God’s ordinances Ezra 7:10
b. God honors people that put Him first 1 Sam. 2:30 (read)
c. Day or night, make sure you cultivate this relationship Luke 21:37,38
Question #1 – Have you asked God to enlarge your understanding so that you can teach?
Question #2 – How do we esteem God? How do we esteem others?
Question #3 – What does a dynamic relationship with God look like?
Question #4 – Is it difficult to devote time to studying the Bible? Is reading it enough?
3. TO GET THE MOST FROM OUR STUDY OF THE BIBLE, WE MUST LEARN EFFECTIVE METHODS AND STRATEGIES (Neh. 8:9-10)
The following represents eight (8) simple steps we can follow for effective Bible study:
1. Pray – Praise God and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind.
2. Survey – Read the passage quickly to get the “big picture” prior to studying its parts.
3. Read – Read the passage carefully.
4. Observe – Look for the details of the text that are important to understand.
5. Interpret – Ask and attempt to answer the question, “What does this mean?” concerning the details in Step 4.
6. Apply – Consider the implications of this passage for your life. Choose responses you sense God wants you to make in obedience to The Word.
7. Pray – Talk with God about the meaning and the application of His Word. Tell Him you want to obey. Ask for His help. Pray for others in terms of the truth of the passage you studied.
8. Share – Look for a natural opportunity to encourage someone with what you learned.
Question #1 – Do you use a similar process to study the Bible?
Question #2 – What time of day works best for you to study the Bible?
Question #3 – Do you read for clarity or for application? Is there a difference?
Question #4 – How are you sharing what you study?
NEXT WEEK’S LESSON: RE-DEDICATION, CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT OF PURPOSE - WK 9
a. It is important to turn over the reins of leadership to spiritually qualified, mature people.
i. Nehemiah 13:4-31 Obedience is better than sacrifice
b. One of our God-given responsibilities as leaders is to teach God’s truth and revealed will. When people violate His will and dishonor God, we are to confront that disobedience with Biblical truth as our basis.
i. 2 Timothy 3:16 Teach, rebuke, correct and train
In preparation for next week’s review, please read the following:
Nehemiah 13:1-31
2 Timothy 3:1-17