RumorsNehemiah 6:5-9The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusal...  Read More

DistractionNehemiah 6:1-4Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this m...  Read More

Battling OurselvesNehemiah 5:1-11About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. They were saying, “We have such large families. We need more food to survive.”Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine.”And others said, “We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes. We...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)What is one of your favorite songs of worship, hymn or contemporary, and what is it about that song that speaks to and...  Read More

Strategic PlanningNehemiah 4:13-23So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and figh...  Read More

Rehearsing the NegativeNehemiah 4:11-12Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”Nehemiah’s team faces formidable enemies. It isn’t clear whether Sanballat and his crew will carry out their ...  Read More