Let us bow before our Maker
 The 1st 7 chapters tell the story of the rebuilding of
the walls of Jerusalem.
 how to restore our defenses
 how to rebuild the walls and the gates of our lives
Reconstruction
 how to close the gaps where the enemy has been getting
at us
 Chapters 8 to 13 focuses on transforming the
community based on Biblical principles
Reinstruction
 What have been some highs and lows of your life?
Nehemiah 9:1-5 Worship and Confession
 How did Israel respond? V1? V2? V3?
 Fasting - What was the purpose of Fasting
 Joel 1:14
 Matthew 6:17-18
 Acts 13:2-3
 V2 – Separation and confession of Sin
 V3 – Studied, confession and worship
8 If
we say we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. 9 If we
confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
Nehemiah 9:1-5 Worship and Confession
 According to verses 4 & 5, in what activity did the Levites lead the
people of Israel?
 Who is the main focus of this prayer?
 Why do you think it is important to be more focused on God than
yourself during your prayers?
 What was the most interesting thing you may have learned from the
commentary?
Nehemiah 9:5-25 The Character of God
 List 10 things from v5-15 we learn about God’s character or actions?
 Using verses 16-18, contrast how Israel dealt with God and how God
dealt with Israel. (the nature of Israel vs the Nature of God)
 Personal Question: Have you ever responded to God in a similar way? How
did that work out for you?
 According to verses 19-21, how did God direct his people?
Nehemiah 9:26 -31 The Character of People
 Israel was inconsistent in their dealings with their God. Why do you
think they were so disobedient to God?
 Personal Question: What warning do you receive from the Israelites'
disobedience? What do you need to do in order to be more consistent
in your relationship with God?
• From the following cross references, note something from each that might
contribute to a person being inconsistent in his devotion to God:
Cross
Reference
Verse
Exodus 32:1
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the
mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron
and said to him, “ make us gods who shall go before us.”
1 Kings 11:4
For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after
other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his
God, as was the heart of David his father.
Luke 8:13
And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the
word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for
a while, and in time of testing fall away.
Luke 9:62
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and
looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and
gone to Thessalonica.
Contribution to
personal inconsistency
Nehemiah 9:32-38 Now Therefore!
 How reasonable was the Israelites request?
 Is it reasonable for us to make the same request?
 What cycles of grace and disobedience do we get caught in like the Israelites?
 Why is it so difficult to say “God, you are right and I am wrong?”
 What 3 things had Israel not done (v34)?
 What can you learn that will help your relationship with God?
 What condition does Israel find themselves in (v36)?
Personal Questions
 What concrete actions can we take to prevent the cycles of
disobedience before we get caught in them?
 When have you been caught in a cycle of learning & relearning the
same lesson over & over again?
 What Memories do you have of God’s care even during those times?
 Having read the Israelites prayer, what would you like to say to God?
…if my people who are called by my name
humble themselves, and pray and seek
my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will
forgive their sin and heal their land.
2Ch 7:14