Bible Study Questions

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Bible Study Questions David H. Horner, Senior Pastor Sermon for the week of September 15, 2013… “Recovering the Glory” Nehemiah 8:8-12, 18

Recovering the Glory Nehemiah 8:8-12, 18 INTRODUCTION (GROUP LEADER INSTRUCTIONS/SUGGESTIONS IN ALL-CAPS) Today/tonight we will be discussing the second of five messages on God’s covenants and how they apply to our faith walk. Our discussion will center around Pastor David Horner’s sermon, “Recovering the Glory,” delivered on September 15, 2013, with the key text, Nehemiah 8:8-12, and 18. ENGAGE THE GROUP How many of you have ever longed for, or become engaged in a discussion about “the good ol’ days?” What is it about those days that you might desire to relive? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO BRIEFLY SHARE SOME OF THEIR “GOOD OL’ DAYS” REMEMBRANCES Does anyone ever long for “the good ol’ days,” when it comes to your faith walk? Is there a special memory that you would like to relive when it comes to your relationship with the Lord? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO RECALL SOME SPECIAL MOMENTS IN THEIR FAITH JOURNEY In his sermon, Pastor Horner, talked about how we might long to relive a special moment in our lives, one that might go beyond words, yet you feel it was very special and sometimes wonder if you could ever experience such a moment again. In many ways, this describes the heart of Nehemiah, after he learned about the broken walls and burned gates that surrounded his beloved Jerusalem. (READ) And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3) Upon learning about the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah prays to the “God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Nehemiah 1:5). You may recall that Nehemiah was among the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon and had been assigned to be the King’s cup-bearer. When King Artaxerxes inquires about his long face,

Nehemiah pours out his heart about what he has learned about Jerusalem. The King permits him to travel to Jerusalem to inspect the wall, and God then uses Nehemiah to direct the rebuilding of the walls, which is covered in chapters 2-6; in chapter 7, we see the return of many of the exiles, and at the beginning of chapter 8, the people instruct Ezra the priest “to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses,” which he reads before the people who have assembled in the square located “before the Water Gate.” (READ) They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the 9 people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words 10 of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be 11 grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, 12 saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had 18 understood the words that were declared to them… And day by day, from the first day to the last day, the read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule. (Nehemiah 8:8-12, 18) Pastor Horner summarizes God’s work in Nehemiah… “God wants to show His people that He still moves in power and shows His glory if we will confess our sins, renew our commitment to Him and praise Him with joy!” What does this passage from Nehemiah say to you about God and what He desires for His covenant people? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND TO RECOGNIZE: • •

GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL—HE IS THE SAME “YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.” (HEBREWS 13:8) SIN ISOLATES AND TENDS TO MOVE US AWAY FROM GOD

What are some ways God might use to break the pattern of habitual covenant-breaking, either individually or as the church? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND IDENTIFY: • • •

A PERSONAL CRISIS, LIKE ILLNESS, FINANCIAL SETBACK, FAMILY TROUBLE A HEART BROKEN AFTER REALIZING THEY HAD WALKED AWAY FROM THE LORD HEARING GOD’S WORD AND RECOGNIZING UNFAITHFULNESS, PRAYERLESSNESS OR LIVING CARELESSLY

As revealed in the Old Testament, Israel had repeated cycles of rebellion and revival, since the days God first made His covenant with Abraham. This cycle saw Israel stepping forward to accept God’s covenant only to fall backward with ever increasing frequency. We see this cycle repeated six times in the Book of Judges (READ SELECTED PASSAGES):

We initially see PEACE AND PROSPERITY: And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. (Judges 2:7) Then comes REBELLION AND REJECTION: And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another 11 generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. 12 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. (Judges 2:10-12) This leads to DISTRESS AND DEVASTATION: So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that 15 they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. (Judges 2:14-15) From there arose CONTRITION AND CRYING OUT: Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. (Judges 2:18) God then RESCUES AND RESTORES His covenant people: Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. (Judges 2:16) From what we have read so far, what do you think must happen in order for restoration to occur? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND RECOGNIZE: • •

UNLESS THE HEART BREAKS IN THE FACE OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, THERE CAN BE NO RESTORATION IF OUR HEARTS FEEL NOTHING WHEN WE SHOULD BE BROKEN-HEARTED BY SIN, IT SHOULD CAUSE US TO WONDER WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR HEARTS

There were two factors that broke the heart of God’s people and Nehemiah: 1. News of the condition of Jerusalem (Nehemiah) 2. Hearing of the Word (Book of the Law) (by the people) In Nehemiah 1:4, we learn how Nehemiah responded after being told about Jerusalem’s condition:

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4) How might this passage apply to us today? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND IDENTIFY: • • • •

PERHAPS WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US THAT HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY UNFAITHFULNESS INSTEAD OF WEEPING AND MOURNING, FASTING AND PRAYING, WE MIGHT TEND TO BLAME SOMEONE ELSE WHEN THINGS BREAK DOWN WHEN SIN’S CONSEQUENCES TAKE THEIR TOLL, WE MAY COMPLAIN OR GET ANGRY BECAUSE WE DON’T GET WHAT WE THINK WE DESERVE LIKE NEHEMIAH, MAYBE WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE BURNED AND BROKEN WALLS IN OUR LIVES AND HOW THEY HAVE BROKEN GOD’S HEART AND DISHONORED HIS NAME

In Nehemiah 8:5-6, we read: And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and 6 as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5-6) Can anyone share a time in your life when you heard God’s Word and it convicted you of your sin and caused you to confess and go to the Lord in prayer and worship? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE As Nehemiah 8 reveals, the people listened and understood what God’s Word said about God’s character and the nature of their sin. They then called a Solemn Assembly. Consider the steps they followed: The Word—heard truths about God and came to understand what holy living should be, making an honest judgment about themselves Prayer—they responded to the truth and confessed sin as a starting point Worship—they assembled together lifting up their voices in joyful praise and thanksgiving How do you think the people were able to get from broken to rejoicing hearts, from being crushed by sin to be lifted up by grace? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND RECOGNIZE: GOD’S COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE RECOGNIZES THE REALITY OF OUR FAILURES AND OFFERS PROMISES OF FORGIVENESS (READ): 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. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

What do you think can happen when people renew covenant faithfulness? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE THOUGHTS, AND RECOGNIZE: AS THE NEHEMIAH PASSAGES REVEAL, GOD SHOWED NEHEMIAH AND THE PEOPLE AMAZING FAVOR: • •

THE WALLS WERE RESTORED THE PEOPLE WERE MADE WHOLE

NEHEMIAH’S ACCOUNTS OFFER US HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE RENEW COVENANT FAITHFULNESS: • •

BROKEN-DOWN WALLS ARE RETORED—GOD CAN AND DOES RETORE BROKEN LIVES JUST AS SURELY AS BROKEN WALLS ONCE-FALLEN HEARTS ARE REVIVED—GOD HAS PROMISED TO EMPOWER AND REFRESH US AND GIVE US INEXPRESSIBLE JOY IF WE WILL RETURN TO HIM (READ): 20

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord… (Acts 3:19-20) •

LONG-LOST JOYS ARE RENEWED, WE WILL NO LONGER BE SATISFIED WITH STATUS QUO CHURCH LIFE, MEDIOCRE CHRISTIANITY OR MUNDANE FAITH (READ): Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:43)

What are some things you might take away from our discussion today/tonight? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP TO SHARE, AND TO IDENTIFY: • •

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NO MATTER HOW FAR WE HAVE MOVED AWAY, GOD PROMISES TO FORGIVE AND RESTORE ALL WHO RETURN TO HIM KEEP SHORT ACCOUNTS OF YOUR SIN—BE READY TO COME TO HIM, CONFESS YOUR SIN AND RETURN TO THE LORD SO THAT HE MAY FORGIVE YOU AND REFRESH YOU ASK THE LORD TO USE HIS WORD IN YOUR LIFE TO SHAPE YOUR HEART AND CONFIRM YOU TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Any final thoughts? CLOSE WITH PRAYER