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Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ "Demolishing Discouragement" ~ Nehemiah 4:1-14
Our study will take us through the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah. RE:build. RE:new. RE:store. The main theme that clearly emerges from the study of these books is that GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES! We will see that God often uses people and events that no one would expect. Sometimes, the person that God uses may not even realize they are a part of God's plan. Could that be us? Could God use us this way?
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
This week we will begin looking at some of the problems that arose during the building project and how Nehemiah handled them. Several of the remaining lessons deal with opposition from outside and conflict within the people of God. That shouldn't surprise us, but it shouldn't discourage us either. Nehemiah can teach us many important lessons about trusting God, working as a team, and showing personal courage in the face of opposition.
Opening Questions
Why do you think some people get upset when they see others succeed?
When has jealousy ever affected you?
In what situations is competition good?
Why do you think some people get upset when they see others succeed?
When has jealousy ever affected you?
In what situations is competition good?
Most of us had to deal with bullies when we were growing up. Maybe the bully you faced was all "talk." Maybe he pushed you around a little. Maybe he beat the snot out of you. Maybe you had a streak of bully in you as you figured out how to get along on the playground and in the neighborhood. Figuring out how to respond to bullies is a big deal in childhood. It can be a big deal in adulthood too.
What was your most memorable encounter with a bully when you were a boy? How did you handle it?
How would you advise children in a Sunday school class to deal with bullies?
Why do you think some bullies are all about threat and intimidation while others actually beat kids up?
What was your most memorable encounter with a bully when you were a boy? How did you handle it?
How would you advise children in a Sunday school class to deal with bullies?
Why do you think some bullies are all about threat and intimidation while others actually beat kids up?
Unpack the Text
Last week we saw the results of Nehemiah's three-day inspection and planning session after his arrival at Jerusalem. First, he worked out his plan on paper. He sized up the physical needs of the defenseless city. He learned who the willing workers were. He matched up the workers with the parts of the project that would motivate them while they worked. He found out who the leaders were and assigned them key tasks.
Then the hard part came when Nehemiah had to challenge everyone to step into place and start working. In addition, he had to supply everyone with materials and communicate with work crews all around the city walls. In spite of overwhelming responsibility, he did it all in the strength of the Lord whose hand was on him (Neh. 2:18). Last week we were challenged to commit ourselves to become encouragers to those around us.
Only reading the first three chapters of Nehemiah might give us the impression that once everyone had been carefully and wisely assigned a particular section of the wall, we could assume that everything progressed smoothly and without difficulty from that point on. Not so! From the moment the reconstruction began, Nehemiah and the Jews faced incredible opposition from their enemies.
God's work never goes forward without opposition. Satan sees to that, and Nehemiah's experience in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem certainly illustrates this point graphically and dramatically.
Last week we saw the results of Nehemiah's three-day inspection and planning session after his arrival at Jerusalem. First, he worked out his plan on paper. He sized up the physical needs of the defenseless city. He learned who the willing workers were. He matched up the workers with the parts of the project that would motivate them while they worked. He found out who the leaders were and assigned them key tasks.
Then the hard part came when Nehemiah had to challenge everyone to step into place and start working. In addition, he had to supply everyone with materials and communicate with work crews all around the city walls. In spite of overwhelming responsibility, he did it all in the strength of the Lord whose hand was on him (Neh. 2:18). Last week we were challenged to commit ourselves to become encouragers to those around us.
Only reading the first three chapters of Nehemiah might give us the impression that once everyone had been carefully and wisely assigned a particular section of the wall, we could assume that everything progressed smoothly and without difficulty from that point on. Not so! From the moment the reconstruction began, Nehemiah and the Jews faced incredible opposition from their enemies.
God's work never goes forward without opposition. Satan sees to that, and Nehemiah's experience in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem certainly illustrates this point graphically and dramatically.
ROUND ONE: MOCKERY
Why did Sanballat become angry with the Jews? (4:1)
How did Sanballat treat the Jews? (4:1-2)
What did Sanballat and Tobiah do to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the city walls? (4:1-3)
What do you think Sanballat and Tobiah hoped to accomplish by mocking the Jews in the presence of their "colleagues and powerful men of Samaria" (v. 2)?
What do you think of Tobiah? What does he sound like to you?
Sanballat engaged in psychological warfare against Israel. He mocked Nehemiah and the Jews (v. 2). In the best "yes-man" fashion, Tobiah joined his boss in the ridicule (v. 3).
What do you think Sanballat and Tobiah hoped would happen when Nehemiah and the Jewish wall builders heard about their mockery?
Which of these do you think best captures what was going on in Sanballat and Tobiah's hearts and minds? Why?
Contempt for the loser Jews
Bravado to rally the troops for possible battle
Anxiety about what might happen
Fear that their power was slipping away
Other
How do threatened people react?
Threatened people usually react in one of three ways. They may become extremely fearful and retreat. They may become very angry and aggressive. Or they may blend fear and anger. That is what Sanballat did. Initially he hesitated because of fear. Later he lashed out in anger.
Which of these statements best describes how you react when you've put a lot of effort into a project and people start criticizing you?
I withdraw in discouragement and self-pity.
I lash out in anger and frustration.
I withdraw some and lash out some.
Other
How do you wish you could react when people criticize you while you put your best efforts into what you are doing?
How did Sanballat treat the Jews? (4:1-2)
What did Sanballat and Tobiah do to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the city walls? (4:1-3)
What do you think Sanballat and Tobiah hoped to accomplish by mocking the Jews in the presence of their "colleagues and powerful men of Samaria" (v. 2)?
What do you think of Tobiah? What does he sound like to you?
Sanballat engaged in psychological warfare against Israel. He mocked Nehemiah and the Jews (v. 2). In the best "yes-man" fashion, Tobiah joined his boss in the ridicule (v. 3).
What do you think Sanballat and Tobiah hoped would happen when Nehemiah and the Jewish wall builders heard about their mockery?
Which of these do you think best captures what was going on in Sanballat and Tobiah's hearts and minds? Why?
Contempt for the loser Jews
Bravado to rally the troops for possible battle
Anxiety about what might happen
Fear that their power was slipping away
Other
How do threatened people react?
Threatened people usually react in one of three ways. They may become extremely fearful and retreat. They may become very angry and aggressive. Or they may blend fear and anger. That is what Sanballat did. Initially he hesitated because of fear. Later he lashed out in anger.
Which of these statements best describes how you react when you've put a lot of effort into a project and people start criticizing you?
I withdraw in discouragement and self-pity.
I lash out in anger and frustration.
I withdraw some and lash out some.
Other
How do you wish you could react when people criticize you while you put your best efforts into what you are doing?
Discouragement is one of Satan's most common methods for hindering God's work in our lives. When our morale is low, we are vulnerable to his lies, his slander, and his temptations. For years before Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, the Jews in and around the capital city had led a discouraged and demoralized existence. God used Nehemiah to help them rise above their negative circumstances and get on a positive path. His leadership formula can work for us today as well.
How did Nehemiah respond to the taunts of his enemies? (4:4-5)
Nehemiah reacted to the disheartening sneers of the local bigwigs the same way he had approached every problem so far. He talked earnestly and at length to God about the situation (vv. 4-5). Meanwhile, he persevered stone by stone until "suddenly" the wall had reached half its planned height (v. 6).
Let’s be clear. What Nehemiah prays here is an imprecatory prayer. What is an imprecatory prayer?
What does Nehemiah want from God?
Nehemiah’s imprecatory prayer calls for God’s justice against Sanballat and Tobiah’s wicked opposition to the good purposes of God. Nehemiah prays that they would not continue unpunished in their unrepentant sin.
But wait... Jesus says “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Isn’t it wrong for Nehemiah to pray punishment against his enemies? Why or why not?
There is nothing wrong with praying for God to uphold justice against those who oppose His people. Nor is this in conflict with Jesus’ instruction, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44). It is not loving to want someone to continue in their evil and avoid God’s justice. It is loving to desire that God would deliver someone from his or her evil by means of the revelation of His justice against them.
According to Nehemiah, why were the Jews so successful in their work? (4:6)
What does verse 6 mean when it says “the people had a mind to work?”
Nehemiah reacted to the disheartening sneers of the local bigwigs the same way he had approached every problem so far. He talked earnestly and at length to God about the situation (vv. 4-5). Meanwhile, he persevered stone by stone until "suddenly" the wall had reached half its planned height (v. 6).
Let’s be clear. What Nehemiah prays here is an imprecatory prayer. What is an imprecatory prayer?
What does Nehemiah want from God?
Nehemiah’s imprecatory prayer calls for God’s justice against Sanballat and Tobiah’s wicked opposition to the good purposes of God. Nehemiah prays that they would not continue unpunished in their unrepentant sin.
But wait... Jesus says “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Isn’t it wrong for Nehemiah to pray punishment against his enemies? Why or why not?
There is nothing wrong with praying for God to uphold justice against those who oppose His people. Nor is this in conflict with Jesus’ instruction, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44). It is not loving to want someone to continue in their evil and avoid God’s justice. It is loving to desire that God would deliver someone from his or her evil by means of the revelation of His justice against them.
According to Nehemiah, why were the Jews so successful in their work? (4:6)
What does verse 6 mean when it says “the people had a mind to work?”
ROUND TWO: A CONSPIRACY THEORY
Since Sanballat's psychological warfare campaign against Nehemiah and the Jews failed miserably, the enemies of the Jews realized they needed a fresh approach to stopping the wall construction... and they needed it immediately! Given the pace of the construction, there was no time to lose. Sanballat and his partners in intrigue hatched a plot to turn the tide of events in their favor.
Since Sanballat's psychological warfare campaign against Nehemiah and the Jews failed miserably, the enemies of the Jews realized they needed a fresh approach to stopping the wall construction... and they needed it immediately! Given the pace of the construction, there was no time to lose. Sanballat and his partners in intrigue hatched a plot to turn the tide of events in their favor.
What did Israel’s enemies do when they heard of Israel’s success in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls? (4:7-8)
How did Nehemiah and the Jews respond to the evil plotting of their enemies? (4:9)
What circumstances tend to wear you down and keep you from finishing things you start?
What circumstances tend to wear you down and keep you from finishing things you start?
What did Nehemiah do to encourage the Israelites and protect them from their enemies? (4:10-14)
How did news of the conspiracy affect the morale of the workers inside Jerusalem (v. 10)?
How did Nehemiah organize a response to the rumor of a surprise attack (vv. 9, 13)?
What are the three parts of Nehemiah's challenge to the leaders and people in verse 14?
Why is each part important to heading off a surprise attack?
Nehemiah handled the conspiracy against the building project by modeling prayerful courage and by exhorting the workers to stop being afraid, to pray like crazy, and to get ready to fight. In our families, in our work, and in our church responsibilities, we need that kind of courage to be effective leaders during tough times.
How did news of the conspiracy affect the morale of the workers inside Jerusalem (v. 10)?
How did Nehemiah organize a response to the rumor of a surprise attack (vv. 9, 13)?
What are the three parts of Nehemiah's challenge to the leaders and people in verse 14?
Why is each part important to heading off a surprise attack?
Nehemiah handled the conspiracy against the building project by modeling prayerful courage and by exhorting the workers to stop being afraid, to pray like crazy, and to get ready to fight. In our families, in our work, and in our church responsibilities, we need that kind of courage to be effective leaders during tough times.
Your Story
What do you admire about the Israelites in this incident?
To what area of life today do Nehemiah’s words speak?
What kinds of events, opposition, or setbacks most discourage you?
How does God want us to deal with discouragement?
How should we respond to negative events or criticism from others?
When have you ever felt opposition from other people when you have done what you thought was morally right?
What practical steps could you take the next time you feel opposition from others for doing what is right?
How does God respond to the diligence of His people?
To what project or work do you need to renew your commitment?
How have you seen the Lord fight for you?
What can we learn positively and negatively from the way Nehemiah prayed about his enemies (vv. 4-5)?
How do you think Nehemiah and the builders felt when the wall reached half its projected height in spite of the mockery of their enemies (v. 6)?
How do you think God would like you to grow in your ability to stand up under criticism?
What do you admire about the Israelites in this incident?
To what area of life today do Nehemiah’s words speak?
What kinds of events, opposition, or setbacks most discourage you?
How does God want us to deal with discouragement?
How should we respond to negative events or criticism from others?
When have you ever felt opposition from other people when you have done what you thought was morally right?
What practical steps could you take the next time you feel opposition from others for doing what is right?
How does God respond to the diligence of His people?
To what project or work do you need to renew your commitment?
How have you seen the Lord fight for you?
What can we learn positively and negatively from the way Nehemiah prayed about his enemies (vv. 4-5)?
How do you think Nehemiah and the builders felt when the wall reached half its projected height in spite of the mockery of their enemies (v. 6)?
How do you think God would like you to grow in your ability to stand up under criticism?
Apply it to Your Life
What specific steps could you take this week to renew your commitment to a project you believe is important to accomplish?
What concrete action can you take today to prepare yourself to deal with opposition or criticism from others?
When you face criticism for doing right, how should you think about your critics?
When you face criticism for doing right, how should you pray for your critics?
When you face criticism for doing right, what should your attitude be toward the work you are doing?
What discouraging circumstances are you currently dealing with?
What have you found through the years to be good sources of encouragement for you?
Focus our ACT community and write down two ways you can regularly encourage each other through the balance of this Nehemiah study.
What specific steps could you take this week to renew your commitment to a project you believe is important to accomplish?
What concrete action can you take today to prepare yourself to deal with opposition or criticism from others?
When you face criticism for doing right, how should you think about your critics?
When you face criticism for doing right, how should you pray for your critics?
When you face criticism for doing right, what should your attitude be toward the work you are doing?
What discouraging circumstances are you currently dealing with?
What have you found through the years to be good sources of encouragement for you?
Focus our ACT community and write down two ways you can regularly encourage each other through the balance of this Nehemiah study.
Praise & Prayer
Join right now in sharing a few words of encouragement for each one here tonight.
Pray for the success of other group members in their spiritual journey.
Join right now in sharing a few words of encouragement for each one here tonight.
Pray for the success of other group members in their spiritual journey.