I had the honor of getting to write the framework for this week's LifeGroup material for our church. LifeGroup material is used to help facilitate discussion when folks meet in their small in-home groups each week. Its created as a continuation of the Sunday message. The document isn't all mine, Rob from our church contributed and Seth our LG pastor edited and formatted.
I have always felt like I may be gifted at teaching. This was a cool first step towards UNLEASHING my talents for God's glory.
_______________________________________________
Tonight we’re going to continue the story of Nehemiah by looking at the opposition and obstacles that Nehemiah faced when he was unleashed to do this great task for God We will see that, despite the difficulty and suffering Nehemiah dealt with, the Lord was faithful to see him through to the completion of his ordained task.
Question 1: Is that a new thought for you? Have you ever thought of yourself of being restrained or held back from being the person that you were created to be.
Question 2: Was there a time in your life that you stepped out in faith to follow God’s clear direction for your life and met with opposition.
· Explain the depth and extent of your suffering and how it affected you.
· Discuss the way that God, in his timing, brought you out of that difficulty, ultimately for his glory.
· Reveal how God used that experience to change you and bring you closer to Him.
Question 3: Are there areas in your life where you currently feel held back or restrained?
Question 4: This feeling of being held back can sometimes be referred to as persecution. How would you define persecution?
As the story continues, Nehemiah has been granted permission by the king of Persia to travel to his ancient homeland of Judah. Traveling far with the letters of the king as authorization and a troop of cavalry as protection, Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem’s walls. He finds them in desperate need of repair and rallies the people behind his vision to rebuild them. Immediately however, he is met with opposition.
Read Nehemiah 2:17-20.
When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem hear about Nehemiah’s plans they begin to mock and ridicule him. But Nehemiah ignores them and responds confidently that the Lord that has unleashed them for this task will give them success. When faced with trials and tribulations as we seek to do the Lord’s will, we must remember to respond as Nehemiah did, with faith that the Lord will complete what he has begun. (Philippians 1:6)
Read Nehemiah 4:1-6.
As the work on the wall continues, Nehemiah’s naysayers continue stirring up discord over his work; but Nehemiah continued to turn to the Lord as trouble presented itself. Check out how that affected those people physically rebuilding the wall – Re-read Nehemiah 4:6b
· Never underestimate the power of a godly leader who stays true to his calling. It can have a strong affect on those under and around him, even as opposition arises.
Question 4: Can anyone think of a time that they were positively influenced to continue a good work by a godly leader who held to his convictions in the midst of difficulty?
Read Nehemiah 6:5-16.
We see Nehemiah experiencing more and more persecution in these passages. After unsuccessful attempts to persuade the people that Nehemiah was wrong, his enemies begin to plot to kill him. We often fall short of accomplishing God’s vision that he has placed bfore us because we lack the confidence of his work through us. Essentially, it’s an internal persecution. We feel like we can’t do the task God set out for us.
Question 5: What does Matthew 17:14-21 say about this?
The amazing thing here is that Nehemiah has that kind of faith. He does not fear. He remains confident that he was unleashed in this way for this reason. So he simply asks the Lord for strength for himself and the people.
Question 6: Do you pray to the Lord and trust in him when troubles come your way or do you try and handle things in your own strength and time?
Despite all the efforts of his enemies, the wall gets completed.
Read Psalm 9:10 and discuss for a moment the word “never.”
Even in the darkest hour of opposition, God promises to see us through. It may cost us a temporary season of suffering, but that will only bring us closer to Christ.
Read Romans 8:16-18
Tonight we want you to close with an open time of prayer. Ask that God will work, through the Holy Spirit, to unleash each person in our local body to abandon fear and entrust their service, gifts, talents, and resources to his vision and his kingdom. By unleashing each individual at Momentum to their personal calling, we can have a multiplying effect for humanity’s good and God’s glory all across Henry County.
No comments:
Post a Comment