Series Introduction
We are all leaders in some capacity and
we can all lead people in taking next steps in their relationship with God. This series will walk through 4 key
parts of leadership with Biblical examples that show how we all can lead and
ultimately live with a greater purpose.
Series
Big Idea
Leadership is influence. As Christ-followers we are called to be people of influence
as we share our journey and help people take next steps in their relationship
with God.
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s
“What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
As we pursue next steps in our journey with God, He
will allow us to face struggles and challenges that will mold and shape us into
the people He created us to be.
Icebreaker
Tell a story of the most de-motivating boss,
parent, teacher, or coach experience you have ever had.
Introduction
Nehemiah has taken on the huge task of rebuilding
the city walls of Jerusalem. Even
though he takes wise steps in spreading the work out among the many different
people helping, he still encounters opposition and struggles on his journey.
We may not be taking on the task of rebuilding a city’s
walls, but we will face opposition and struggle in our journey with God and in
our efforts to help others take next steps in their relationship with Him. Some of us will deal with issues with
our own faith and others of us will struggle with sharing our faith with
others. Regardless of whether its
fear of offending people or being labeled a religious fanatic, having friends
and family members think we are taking this spirituality thing a bit too far,
or issues within our church of faith community; we can be sure we will face
opposition and struggle on the way to becoming who God wants us to be.
We can learn a lot from Nehemiah’s determination,
perseverance, and willingness to sacrifice as he sought to serve God. Like in Nehemiah’s story, God can help
us identify and deal with our struggles, we don’t have to rely upon our own
strengths.
Nehemiah 4:1-23 “Outsiders” (The Message)
When Sanballat heard that we were
rebuilding the wall he exploded in anger, vilifying the Jews. In the company of
his Samaritan cronies and military he let loose: "What are these miserable
Jews doing? Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight?
Make building stones out of make-believe?"
At his side, Tobiah the Ammonite jumped in and said, "That's
right! What do they think they're building? Why, if a fox climbed that wall, it
would fall to pieces under his weight."
Nehemiah prayed, "Oh listen to us, dear God. We're so
despised: Boomerang their ridicule on their heads; have their enemies cart them
off as war trophies to a land of no return; don't forgive their iniquity, don't
wipe away their sin—they've insulted the builders!"
We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall
was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people
had a heart for the work.
When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the
Ashdodites heard that the repairs of the walls of Jerusalem were going so
well—that the breaks in the wall were being fixed—they were absolutely furious.
They put their heads together and decided to fight against Jerusalem and create
as much trouble as they could. We countered with prayer to our God and set a
round-the-clock guard against them.
1.
If you were met with so much opposition, how would you have
reacted?
a.
Well it must not be God – anyone for some shuffleboard?
b.
I didn’t really want to rebuild this wall anyway, let’s
quit.
c.
Why are they so mad at us?
d.
This is our chance to rebuild our nation for God – let’s go!
e.
Other.
2.
Have you ever faced opposition to helping people take next
steps in their relationship with God?
3.
To show their trust and dependence upon God, Noah built an
ark, Solomon built the Temple, Nehemiah built a wall; what are you building for
God?
4.
If “outsiders” were asked what you are building, would they
know you are building something for God? (family, career, life-choices)
Read Nehemiah 4:10-23 (The
Message)
But soon word was going
around in Judah,
The builders are pooped,
the rubbish piles up;
We're in over our heads,
we can't build this wall.
And all this time our
enemies were saying, "They won't know what hit them. Before they know it
we'll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the
work!" The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, "They have
us surrounded; they're going to attack!" If we heard it once, we heard it
ten times.
So I stationed armed
guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by
families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood
up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid
of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for
your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."
Our enemies learned that
we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back
to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while
the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military
officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the
wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other.
Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the
trumpeter at my side to sound the alert.
Then I spoke to the nobles
and officials and everyone else: "There's a lot of work going on and we
are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the
trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us."
And so we kept working,
from first light until the stars came out, half of us holding lances.
I also instructed the
people, "Each person and his helper is to stay inside Jerusalem—guards by
night and workmen by day."
We all slept in our
clothes—I, my brothers, my workmen, and the guards backing me up. And each one
kept his spear in his hand, even when getting water.
- How does Nehemiah respond to the outsiders? How would have you responded?
- Who do you relate to most in the story: people building the wall,
Nehemiah, or those on the outside?
Like our efforts to bring people closer to God,
Nehemiah had opposition both from outsiders and insiders. The outsiders jeered and made fun of
him and his efforts, while the folks inside his influence were exploiting each
other.
Nehemiah 5:1-13 “Insiders” (The
Message)
A great protest was
mounted by the people, including the wives, against their fellow Jews. Some
said, "We have big families, and we need food just to survive."
Others said, "We're having to mortgage
our fields and vineyards and homes to get enough grain to keep from
starving."
And others said, "We're having to
borrow money to pay the royal tax on our fields and vineyards. Look: We're the
same flesh and blood as our brothers here; our children are just as good as
theirs. Yet here we are having to sell our children off as slaves—some of our
daughters have already been sold—and we can't do anything about it because our
fields and vineyards are owned by somebody else."
I got really angry when I heard their
protest and complaints. After thinking it over, I called the nobles and
officials on the carpet. I said, "Each one of you is gouging his
brother."
Then I called a big meeting to deal
with them. I told them, "We did everything we could to buy back our Jewish
brothers who had to sell themselves as slaves to foreigners. And now you're
selling these same brothers back into debt slavery! Does that mean that we have
to buy them back again?"
They said nothing.
What could they say?
"What you're doing is wrong. Is
there no fear of God left in you? Don't you care what the nations around here,
our enemies, think of you?
"I and my brothers and the people
working for me have also loaned them money. But this gouging them with interest
has to stop. Give them back their foreclosed fields, vineyards, olive groves,
and homes right now. And forgive your claims on their money, grain, new wine,
and olive oil."
They said, "We'll give it all
back. We won't make any more demands on them. We'll do everything you
say."
Then I called the
priests together and made them promise to keep their word. Then I emptied my
pockets, turning them inside out, and said, "So may God empty the pockets
and house of everyone who doesn't keep this promise—turned inside out and
emptied."
Everyone gave a
wholehearted "Yes, we'll do it!" and praised God. And the people did what they
promised.
- What are the key struggles Nehemiah faces from the insiders?
- Consider if v.12 would have instead read, “We will not give it
back!” they exclaimed. “And we are going to demand even
more from them! We will not
do as you say!” What do you think v.13 would have said? (Nehemiah’s
response)
- What are some possible examples where we might have conflict in our
attempts to help others take next steps with God?
- What is your deepest struggle when it comes to helping people find
their way back to God – what do you need most from God:
- Courage/confidence
- Knowledge
- Desire/passion
- Sense of urgency
- Lost people
- other
What’s
Next?
The 3 main barriers to moving forward in faith or
in working to help others in their faith are Fear, Foes, and Fatigue. Identify (write them down) your main concerns for each barrier. How will you work this week to trust
God with at least one of those barriers?
