Showing Up Nehemiah 2:11So I arrived in Jerusalem.I recognize the simplicity of what I’m about to say, but it merits serious consideration. The first step in any great accomplishment is SHOWING UP.Part of my resume includes ten years as a high school teacher and eight as a college professor. During those years, I frequently engaged in conversations with young people eager to ask me what I believed...  Read More

Danger Nehemiah 2:9-10When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel.With little fanfare,...  Read More

Asking Nehemiah 2:4-8The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the ...  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)Do you have someone in your life who is your prayer warrior? Someone you love to hear pray or that you look up to as i...  Read More

Sad Face Nehemiah 2:1-3Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For...  Read More

Confession Nehemiah 1:6-7I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses..Matthew 6:11-12 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.Before we move on to the second chapter of Nehemiah,...  Read More