Discussion Questions
May 24, 2026 — Nehemiah 4:1-12
1. What particularly stood out to you from this sermon? Was anything significantly reassuring or challenging? What is your favorite verse from this passage? Why?
2. What was the last, new spiritual project you started? Did anything unusual happen soon after you began? How did you respond?
3. Read Nehemiah 4:1-3. Why is struggle inevitable as a Christian? What is often the world’s reaction to the Lord’s work? Why is this the case?
4. What was Sanballat’s whispering campaign designed to accomplish? Was it effective? Why/why not?
5. Read Nehemiah 4:4-6. Why is prayer critical? Why should it be our first weapon against opposition?
6. Whose honor was on the line in Sanballat’s ridicule? What is Nehemiah asking the Lord to do in his prayer? Are imprecatory prayers proper for a Christian? Why/why not?
7. Read Nehemiah 4:7-9. Why is the enemy's scheming predictable? How did they respond when their whisper campaign failed to gain traction? How did the Jews react to the threat?
8. How can we grow as people of prayer? What are some of the benefits of prayer taking on a greater emphasis in our lives?
9. Read Nehemiah 4:10-12. Why is pessimism understandable? What tools has God given us to avoid wearing ourselves out spiritually and physically? How might we use this time more effectively?
10. Should we be surprised when we face opposition? Why/why not? How should we respond to it?
11. Spend some time praying for the needs of our family, friends, group members, and unsaved neighbors.
May 17, 2026 — Nehemiah 3:1-32
1. What particularly stood out to you from this sermon? Was anything significantly reassuring or challenging? What is your favorite verse from this passage? Why?
2. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Do you remember where you were when you heard about the attacks? How did you respond?
3. Why didn’t Nehemiah record his own name in this long list of those who worked on the project as recorded in chapter 3? What does this chapter clearly display about Judah’s governor?
4. How does the third chapter of Nehemiah give us a powerful picture of the OT church in action? What does this event suggest to us in the NT church?
5. In the church, why is every member supposed to be involved in ministry? Read Romans 12:6. How can you use your spiritual gifts to bless the other members of Bethel?
6. How did Nehemiah organize those who would carry out the work? Why was this a wise decision?
7. What was the real purpose behind rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls? What is the purpose of our lives as the children of God? How does 1 Corinthians 10:31 shape our understanding of this objective?
8. Why does Nehemiah start his chronicle of rebuilding at the Sheep Gate? What does the Bible teach us about what God desires from us?
9. Where is our hope found as Christians? How can we demonstrate to ourselves and our neighbors that this is our only hope?
10. Why should it be a priority in the covenant community that leaders set an example worthy of following? How might we do that more intentionally at Bethel?
11. Why does the Lord bring all different sorts of people together in the church? What gifts has the Lord given you to serve others? Why are Christians supposed to behave in this manner?
12. Spend some time praying for the needs of our family, friends, group members, and unsaved neighbors.