Reading Time: 4 minutes
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he set right to work. . . . Nehemiah was willing to risk it all to ensure that Jerusalem would be rebuilt so that one day the good news would come out of Zion.
+The Lookout
February 12 | Application (‘Living in Tense Times’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
When you feel stressed out, it helps to recognize that some tensions are externally generated, some are internally generated, and some are actually healthy and lead to personal growth.
February 12 | Discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson from Nehemiah 4:1-18, “Courage to Take a Risk.”
February 5 | Courage to Stand Up
Reading Time: 4 minutes
A touched heart typically is what spurs a person to action. The devastating news of Jerusalem caused Nehemiah to weep and mourn in chapter 1, and God used Nehemiah’s sadness to get the king’s attention in chapter 2.
February 5 | Application (‘Keys to Courage’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Fear seems more common than faith these days. . . . But over the course of my life, my best decisions have been the times when I chose to walk by faith, not by sight.
February 5 | Discovery
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson from Nehemiah 1:11–2:8, “Courage to Stand Up.”
January 29 | It’s About Distinction
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Upon his arrival in Jerusalem in chapter 7, Ezra sized things up rather quickly. The exiles were in danger of turning back to the sinful ways that had caused them to go into captivity in the first place. Ezra was committed to nip that mindset in the bud.
January 29 | Application (‘What Makes You Different?’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The Israelites were supposed to be a holy people, distinct from others who lived around them. No work on the Sabbath day. No graven images. . . . God wanted more than surface obedience, though. He said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts” (Deuteronomy 6:6). . . .
January 29 | Discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The New Testament calls the follower of Jesus to be distinct as a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). . . . What values and priorities should be different between us and the non-Christians around us?