How to do this
Read the scripture(s) provided
Answer the questions on your own or in your group
Scripture
Nehemiah 1
1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.”
I was cupbearer to the king.
Questions
Context: Due to a centuries-old lack of spiritual faithfulness to God, and despite frequent warnings from God about this persistent failure, many of the Israelite nation have ended up exiled in Bablyon (modern day Iraq).
One of these exiles is Nehemiah who works as the king’s wine steward.
Nehemiah’s story of courageous and strategic leadership begins with the arrival of alarming news from his homeland of Israel.
1. Nehemiah receives news about desolation and destruction of his home city at the start of this story. For us today, we often hear stories of desolation and destruction of family life and security: broken families; children in care; poor mental health among children; self-harm among children – the list could go on. Nehemiah responds with tears (v4). What about us? Are we immune to the impact of these stories? Are we connected with God’s heart for the state of our nation after decades of spiritual poverty have led to such relational and psychological devastation?
2. Along with a response of tears, Nehemiah responds by talking to God about the crisis. Do we find ourselves talking to God about the spiritual crisis in our nation? What might we say to God about this crisis? What might we want to confess – either out of our own lives and experience or on behalf of others we know?
3. Nehemiah remembers some key promises God has made in the past (v8-9). What key promises from God are relevant to our current spiritual crisis? (e.g. read the final verses of the Old Testament in Malachi).
4. Nehemiah finishes his prayer with these words: “Give your servant (i.e. Nehemiah) success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.” As Nehemiah prays, it seems that he is gaining clarity about how we can partner with God in helping to find a solution to the problem of Jerusalem’s desolation. Have you had an experience of prayer helping to shape your bold choices and active response to the need for change?
End in prayer
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