Leading God’s People God’s Way Lesson 6 – The Law of Navigation

The Law of Navigation Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course Luke 14: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'.”

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus talks about the importance of planning before you undertake an important endeavor. Why do you think planning is important to success? b) Have you ever gone on a trip? Discuss the various aspects of planning that you needed to do before you took your trip?

Our Story in History 600 First return from exile led by Zerubbabel. Begin to rebuild temple in Jerusalem c. 538 BC Ezra leads second return from exile c. 466 BC Jerusalem & Temple destroyed. Captivity in Babylon begins c. 586 BC Nehemiah leads third return from exile. Rebuilds walls of Jerusalem c. 450 BC Nehemiah Temple completed and first Passover after captivity celebrated c. 516 BC SolomonJesus c. = circa (about) Babylonian Exile (70 Yrs) Esther

Scriptures to Read Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 6:15-16 Nehemiah 6:15-16

Babylon Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem Tadmor Damascus Jerusalem Ur Shushan (Susa) PERSIAN EMPIRE Nehemiah was living in the citadel of Susa. He was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia. Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, brought him bad news about the walls of Jerusalem.

Babylon Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem Tadmor Damascus Jerusalem Ur Shushan (Susa) PERSIAN EMPIRE King Artaxerxes I agrees to let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. He gives Nehemiah letters of reference and send army officers and cavalry with him.

Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah and Today KIDRON VALLEY Temple Wall rebuilt by Nehemiah Meters Present day wall of Old City

Nehemiah Inspects the Walls KIDRON VALLEY Temple Jeshanah Gate Tower of the Ovens Valley Gate Dung Gate Fish Gate Tower of Hananel Tower of the Hundred Sheep Gate Inspection Gate East Gate Horse Gate Great Projecting Tower Water Gate Pool of Siloam Fountain Gate

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Have you ever had a burden or vision from the Lord to do something? What did you do to make that burden or vision become a reality? b) When you stepped out and started to do what God asked you to do, did you experience opposition? How did you handle that opposition? Did you give in and stop working on the vision, or did you persevere and bring it to completion?

What Do We Learn from Nehemiah’s Life 1. Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also know how to get there. 2. Leaders find purpose in the needs around them. 3. A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw once. 4. Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them.

Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also know how to get there Leaders see things differently than others do. A leader sees… 1. Farther than others see 2. More than others see 3. Before others see

Leaders find purpose in the needs around them

Nehemiah 1:5-6 & “ 5 O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed

Nehemiah 1:5-6 & against you… 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

Leaders find purpose in the needs around them Positive effects of a burden from the Lord: 1. A Burden Purifies Motives 2. A Burden Cultivates Persistence 3. A Burden Solidifies Conviction

How Do I Know if I Have a Burden From God? 1. Does a person or a project constantly come to my mind as a concern? 2. Do I seem unable to escape the needs of this concern? 3. Am I constantly trying to challenge others to be concerned for this person or project? 4. Do I migrate to books, sermons, or people that focus on my concern?

How Do I Know if I Have a Burden From God? 5. Do I repeatedly give time and resources to meet this particular need? 6. Does my concern move me to the point of tears? 7. Do I have gifts and abilities to meet the needs associated with this concern? 8. Does my concern increase with time?

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Nehemiah not only knew where he was going, he also knew how to get there. Do you like to plan the trip or are you content to just take it? b) God placed a burden on Nehemiah’s heart. Out of that burden came a vision and a plan to bring about a change. What need around you stirs your heart? What vision do you have to change that need?

A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw once Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for and complete the project: 1. He identified with the problem 2. He spent time in prayer 3. He approached the key influencers 4. He assessed the situation 5. He met with the people and cast the vision

A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw once Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for and complete the project: 6. He encouraged them with past successes 7. He received buy in from the people 8. He organized the people and got them working

Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them. Nehemiah’s Principles for Working With People: 1. Simplification 2. Participation 3. Delegation 4. Motivation 5. Preparation

Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them. Nehemiah’s Principles for Working With People: 6. Cooperation 7. Celebration

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Nehemiah spent considerable time planning and preparing before he started building. Do you make your plan before you make your move? b) Nehemiah not only had a burden, a vision and a plan. He also knew how to motivate the people to help him execute the plan. Who are the people you are gathering for your leadership journey?

When Jesus was twelve years old he went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast with Joseph and Mary. “About My Father’s Business” Nazareth Jerusalem After the feast was over, Joseph & Mary start out for Nazareth. They travel a whole day before they realize Jesus is not with their party. They turn around and go back to Jerusalem where they find Jesus in the temple.

John 5:19-20 “ 19 I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

Luke 4:18-19 " 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.“ (Note: Jesus was quoting Isaiah 61:1-2 )

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Read Jeremiah 29:11. What does this verse tell us regarding whether God has a plan and a purpose for our lives? b) Now read Jeremiah 29: What do these verses tell us about how we can find out God’s purpose for our lives?

Homework – Scriptures to Read Matthew 23:1-39 Matthew 23:1-39 John 8:48-58 John 8:48-58 John 13:1-17 John 13:1-17