Listen in Community
Small Group Study
Overview
In our final session from the Old Testament, we follow the story of Nehemiah. King Artaxerxes of Persia granted Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem, the city of his ancestors, to restore the city’s gates and wall. Though he had the blessing and resources of the Persian king, those already living in the region were divided in their support of Nehemiah and his plan. It required diligence and trust on the part of Nehemiah to complete the work that God had called him to do.
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Engage
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QUESTION Have you ever attempted a task you did not have the skill for or had not been trained in? Were you able to complete the task? What steps did you take to understand what needed to be done?
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In today’s Bible story, God entrusted Nehemiah to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. God could have chosen a craftsman or a builder, but instead He chose someone unexpected and seemingly unqualified. While trusting others with important things can be challenging, God shows us that together we can do amazing things for Him.
Watch
As we watch this video, consider this question:
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QUESTION What is something that you long to see God restore, either in your life or someone else’s? |
Consider
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Assemblies of God missionaries to Albania, Kurt and Stephanie Plagenhoef, watched as men, women, and children lined up for food. “We only have enough food for about fifty people,” Stephanie said. “There must be two hundred out there. What should we do?”
“All we can do is pray,” Kurt responded.
The people were exhausted and shocked from the war. These refugees had lost their homes and had made a long, hard trip while suffering many horrible experiences. As the soup cooked, the Plagenhoefs prayed that God would provide. And, He did! The soup didn’t run out until the very last person was served. “It’s a miracle!” Stephanie said. “Just like when Jesus multiplied the bread and fish to feed more than five thousand people!”
That night was the beginning of the Plagenhoefs’ ministry to the refugees. God gave them the opportunity to share the gospel with many people for the first time. When we do what’s in front of us and trust God to do the rest, He will not let us down.
Source: https://bgmc.ag.org/en/Articles/Kids/True-Missions-Stories/Albania-Feeding-the-Multitude. Accessed August 28, 2020. Used by permission
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QUESTION Describe a situation in your life that seemed impossible to do on your own. Did you turn to God for help quickly or did you first attempt to solve it by yourself? How did either your trust in God or lack of trust in Him affect your actions? |
What the Bible Says
As we look into the life of Nehemiah in this historical book with his name, the story begins when he was confronted with the need to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. This daunting task would require him to take action while trusting God to provide for him. By comparing known dates of exiles and conquering kings’ reigns, we can determine that Nehemiah had never seen Jerusalem because he had been born and raised in captivity. Now serving in the Persian royal court as the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was still highly interested in the state of affairs in his homeland.
The Cause
Read Nehemiah 1:1–3.
Even though Nehemiah served in a place that many would still consider captivity, God had a plan. He had strategically placed Nehemiah in the secular position to respond to an extensive need.
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QUESTION Has God revealed a cause to you that is bigger than you can handle? How did you respond?
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The Calling
Read Nehemiah 1:4–11.
Nehemiah was deeply aware of the needs of his people even in the midst of his own situation as a servant. He didn’t ignore the cause, make excuses for being too busy or incapable of helping, or try to escape the calling because nobody asked him to help. He immediately went to God with an understanding that he was receiving a calling on his life to act.
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QUESTION What is the difference between asking God to work on your behalf and offering to serve God on His behalf? What can we learn from Nehemiah’s reliance on God as he answered the calling to take action?
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The Cooperation
Read Nehemiah 2:1–18.
Nehemiah knew he could not handle the massive task of replacing and repairing the broken wall and the gates alone. He needed people—and it began with the cooperation of the king to grant favor for Nehemiah to go and to be protected. This also meant that Nehemiah had to lead out not only in prayer, but in making a plan.
He didn’t rush into taking charge, but he carefully scouted the land and considered what was necessary before he took action. Moreover, Nehemiah had to rally others to whom he would delegate some responsibilities of the project. God was preparing people to help!
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QUESTION Do you attempt to handle tasks on your own when you serve God? Why is gathering other leaders and workers to serve together important?
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The Conflict
Read Nehemiah 2:19–20; 4:1–6.
Although Nehemiah had been called by God and received much favor along the way, he still faced tremendous opposition. Leaders of the local people ridiculed the Jews as an attempt to hinder the work. They tried to distract and fight with them. But Nehemiah and the people of God prayed, armed themselves, and kept on working while trusting God with the outcome.
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QUESTION Why do you think Nehemiah experienced conflict even though he was working for God? |
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QUESTION Do you see a contradiction in praying and trusting God while also doing your part to “arm yourself” while you work? Explain.
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The Completion
Read Nehemiah 6:15–16.
Because of God’s faithfulness to care for His people and to finish His work, the wall and gates were restored in fifty-two days. God used a simple man, who gave up a respected position in a palace, for hard labor in a politically insignificant land. Nehemiah’s exemplary leadership resulted in the Jewish people being renewed and revived as they overcame obstacles and accomplished their goal.
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QUESTION In what ways does Nehemiah’s story allow you to see the big picture of God at work in the little things that all led up to the larger plan?
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QUESTION What happens when God’s plan doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped or envisioned? Can you still trust Him? Why or why not? |
Reflect
God led the Jewish people on a journey for His greater purposes. It wasn’t just about the wall and the gates being rebuilt for the people who returned from exile. It was about bringing them back together to prepare for their coming King—Jesus.
When Nehemiah heard about the broken-down wall and gates, he turned to God in repentance. He asked for guidance, trusting that God would answer his prayer and give him favor. Although he had to wait on the right timing, speak boldly to the king, leave the palace, create a strategy to delegate leadership, and face adversity within his own people, Nehemiah followed God until the work was complete.
In the same way, God knows exactly what your situation needs. He is very aware of the issues you are facing. He is at work to meet those needs and will align details when you place your trust in Him.
Did You Know?
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Jerusalem wasn’t always Israel’s capital. It became the capital city during the reign of King David. After Israel split into two nations, Israel and Judah, Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah until it was destroyed in approximately 586 BC by the Babylonians. Much of today’s story is focused on the restoration of that city’s wall in order to reestablish it as a fortified capital. |
Listen to God
The goal of Listen is not only to gain an understanding of God’s Word, but also to pause and listen to what God might want to say to us about what we have read and shared. Be silent for a few moments and reflect on the following questions. Choose the one that most resonates with what God is saying to you now. Then complete the others during Day 1 of your devotion time this week.
Personal Reflection Questions
Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
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QUESTION Where has God called you (church, home, community, work, school) to assist in His work?
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QUESTION How can you do your part while allowing God to do His part in what He has called you to do?
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QUESTION What are some excuses you tend to make that keep you from taking action when God has called you to do something? Take a moment to pray that God would help you move forward with what you know you can do.
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QUESTION Think about any area in your life that you may be trying to succeed in without inviting God to help you. What are practical ways you can change from carrying the load on your own to trusting God to lead you?
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QUESTION Write down your plan for a cause that God has placed before you. Who do you need to support you and to come alongside you to join you in the work? |
Prayer Requests
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Note any requests from the group and remember to pray for them during the week. |
Before next time, continue to listen with the personal devotions.
Listen on Your Own
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Listening to God is something we need to do every day. Before you begin each devotion, pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word. Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
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Day 1
Read Nehemiah 2:11–20.
Look back over Listen in Community and complete your responses to the Personal Reflection Questions. If time permits, reread the Scripture too.
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QUESTION What do you sense that God is saying to you about trusting Him? |
Listen on Your Own
Day 2
Read Deuteronomy 31:6; Nehemiah 8:10; Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 41:10.
If you want to see God do great things or even change situations, then you have to expect that your life is going to be complicated. When you launch out in God’s plan, there will be opposition. Just because God calls you to do something doesn’t mean it will be easy. People you love may not understand. Finances may be low. Your health may be attacked. Everything you do may not work. But you don’t have to second-guess what will happen. God can be trusted to help you! Nehemiah prayed, made a plan to ward off the opposition, and then praised God in the midst of his battles. And God was faithful!
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QUESTION What are the trials you are facing right now? Do you feel scared? Frustrated? Sad? Confused?
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QUESTION How does it look in your daily choices to move forward and remain courageous? |
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QUESTION List ten ways God has been faithful to you this year. |
Listen on Your Own
Day 3
Read Proverbs 3:5–6; Matthew 28:19–20; 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Pay attention to the vision and burden you have in your heart. When you know where your leadership and efforts are needed, it is time to step out and rise up. Take time to turn your efforts into seeking God.
Start clean with God before you venture out. Do you need to repent? Don’t let your past issues keep you from moving forward. Acknowledge your dependence on the Lord, thank Him for His help, and trust His leading for the next step. Listen closely so you only do what God is asking—no more and no less—before you rush off to conquer something on your own.
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QUESTION Are you too focused on your current job as a “cupbearer” that you are missing out on the “wall building” God is leading you to do?
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QUESTION Is the vision you have greater than what you can do alone? Why is or why isn’t this beneficial?
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QUESTION List what it may cost you (time, position, money, relationships, hard work, etc.) if you follow God to step out and do what He is asking you to do. |
Listen on Your Own
Day 4
Read Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 5:10.
You can experience deep joy when you have finished a work for God! Take time to celebrate when things are completed. If you finish an outreach at church, celebrate! If you served on a Sunday or Wednesday and all went well, celebrate! If you went on a missions trip, celebrate! If your child has learned a new skill or stopped a certain behavior, celebrate! If you paid off debt, celebrate! Whatever you have seen completed, thank God for His trustworthy faithfulness.
Ultimately, keep heaven on your mind. That is your final destination when all the work God has for you will be complete. You will be rewarded as you have been committed to obey all He has asked of you.
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QUESTION What are some ideas for celebrating when work is finished?
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QUESTION Describe an area where you have made progress, and yet you are still motivated to keep working on it.
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QUESTION Pause and contemplate the joy of heaven. How does this impact your mind and emotions to keep pressing as you trust God in what He has called you do? |
Listen on Your Own
Day 5
Read Nehemiah 4:14–20; Ecclesiastes 4:9; Hebrews 10:24.
Nobody should lead a cause alone. We are all meant to work together in unity and in collaboration toward God’s end results. Just as Nehemiah’s leadership involved delegation to a variety of people, you may be a part of aiding your leader or you may need others to come alongside of you. Take action steps to work with all your heart for a cause and learn to bring other people along for the journey. You can trust God to provide!
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QUESTION Do you struggle with asking for help? Why do you think that is?
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QUESTION In what areas do you need others to come alongside you?
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QUESTION What can you do to delegate responsibilities? Take a moment to pray for God to provide the right person at the right time for the right position. |
