Standing Strong Face your Fears

Chap 1 – Nehemiah, a man of God in prayer Listened, Wept, Prayed, Planned Chap 2 – Faith in Action Decision point – stepping out in faith … at any cost Chap 3 – Teamwork They were Motivated, Dedicated, Cooperative They volunteered, no matter what the job was

Ridicule 4:1-6 Fear 4:11–23 Violence 4:7-9 Selfishness / Greed 5:1-19 Compromise 6:1-4 Intrigue 6:17-19 Threats 6:10-14 Slander 6:5-9 Discouragement 4:10

Give examples of people or organizations that have been discredited wrongly recently?  In this chapter we see Nehemiah’s enemies try to manipulate & discredit him Nehemiah 6:1-9 Conspiracy to take down the leader …. The Resistance What were the messages Nehemiah received? How were they manipulative? How did Nehemiah reply?

Nehemiah 6:1-9 Conspiracy to take down the leader …. The Response What was Nehemiah’s overall approach to being manipulated, intimidated and discredited? What did Nehemiah do recorded in verse 9? The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Pro 29:25 I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth Isa 51:12-13 Personal Question: What is your reaction when faced with fearful situations in your life?

Nehemiah 6:10-14 For-Profit Conspiracy What did Sanballat & Tobiah do next to try to intimidate Nehemiah? How did Nehemiah respond to Shemaiah in v. 11? Thought Question: Thought Question: How do you think that Nehemiah quickly concluded that God had not sent Shemaiah? (Numbers 3:10 and Numbers18:7) What do you learn from the following verses about spiritual discernment?  1 Corinthians 2:13 & 14; Hebrews 5:14

Nehemiah 6:15-19 – The Wall is completed What effect did the enemies efforts have on the rebuilding of the wall? How did the completion of the wall affect Nehemiah’s opposition?  Completion of the mission was a testimony of God’s faithfulness. V16 Why were the Jews still loyal to Tobiah?  How did this enable Tobiah to continue to oppose Nehemiah even after his mission was complete?

Personal Questions: Which of the people in this chapter do you most resemble in the way you deal with conflict? Ho can you improve the way you handle conflict? Standing Strong and Facing Your Fears Recognized the Enemy V2But they were scheming to harm me Remembered his Duty V3I am working a great project. Why should the work stop while I leave and go to you. Relied on God’s Authority V9I pray, now strengthen my hand Revived God’s testimony V15Our enemies realized the work had to be done by the hand of God