1. God’s Covenant with the Returned Exiles
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
God’s Covenant with the Returned Exiles
Lesson 9

2. Horizontal Visual
Point to these images (or comparable ones of other nations) as you ask your class how the words memorial and memory relate.

3. Lesson Outline Introduction A. Never Forget B. Lesson Background
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
Introduction A. Never Forget B. Lesson Background

4. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Never Forget!
SEPTEMBER
2001 11
Tuesday, September 11, 2001, will long live in the memory of Americans.
On that morning four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists and used in suicide attacks against symbolic U.S. landmarks.
In total, the attacks claimed the lives of about 3,000 people.
Click to add notes

5. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Never Forget!
SEPTEMBER
2001 11
It was the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States.
On every anniversary, the names of the victims who died in New York City are called out against a background of somber music.

6. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Never Forget!
SEPTEMBER
2001 11
The president of the United States attends a memorial service at the Pentagon.
The First Lady usually attends services in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
These reminders are designed so that Americans will never forget the attacks on that day.

7. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Never Forget!
SEPTEMBER
2001 11
Lessons of the past, even very painful ones, can help us prepare for the future.
The exile to Babylon was a painful experience for the people God.
Upon returning, the exiles took time to reflect on their past and sought guidance for their future.

8. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
I. Pleading with God (Nehemiah 9:32-37) A. Faithful God (v. 32a) B. Unfaithful People (vv. 32b-37)

9. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
In the chapters preceding today’s lesson text, Nehemiah discovered that Jerusalem was in spiritual and physical ruins.
After addressing these needs, Nehemiah reviewed past actions that led to these situations, examined current conditions, and set a course for the people’s future.

10. Always Remember! 9 9 Read the given section of the text.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
Read the given section of the text.
Then look for information from those verses that describe that part of Israel’s history (past, present, or future).
After you do so, we will present the information we found.

11. Always Remember! 9 9 Read Nehemiah 9:32-35.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
Read Nehemiah 9:32-35.
What information about Israel’s PAST do you find there?
God was great and merciful and kept His covenants.
Israel’s kings, princes, priests, prophets, fathers, and everyone else have been afflicted since the Assyrians conquered them.

12. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
God has exacted justice on the Israelites for their wicked behavior.
None of the Israelites have kept the law or obeyed the Lord.
Their sin has brought God’s punishment.
God gave the Israelites the bountiful land they live in.
But the Israelites continued to ignore God and His law.

13. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
What steps should we take if we discover that our prayers are intensely “deep” only when we are in need or distress?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Considering preparation to pray
Considering location of prayer
Considering our view of God
Other 13

14. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
What place should affirmations of God’s justice have in prayers of new-covenant believers?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Considering the evil present in the world
Considering cultural definitions and redefinitions of right and wrong
Other 14

15. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
How would you describe the relationship between a person’s “gratefulness index” and his or her dedication to God?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In terms of speech patterns
In terms of behavior
In terms of prayer life
Other 15

16. Always Remember! 9 9 Read Nehemiah 9:36, 37.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
Read Nehemiah 9:36, 37.
What information about Israel’s PRESENT do you find there?
The Israelites are slaves in the land God had given them.
The foreign kings who rule over the Israelites make a great profit from the Israelites’ land because of Israel’s sin.
The Israelites’ bodies, livestock, and land all belong to their foreign overlords.

17. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
II. Pledging to God (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:28, 29) A. Stated Commitment (9:38) B. Solemn Ceremony (10:28, 29)

18. Always Remember! 9 9 Read Nehemiah 9:38.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 9 9
Read Nehemiah 9:38.
What information about Israel’s FUTURE do you find there?
The Israelites make a covenant commitment to God.
Their leaders, priests, and Levites mark it with their seals, making it binding from then on.

19. Always Remember! 10 10 Read Nehemiah 10:28, 29.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Always Remember!
NEHEMIAH
NEHEMIAH 10 10
Read Nehemiah 10:28, 29.
What information about Israel’s FUTURE do you find there?
All the other Israelites follow this example and set themselves apart for the Lord.
They all agree to follow God’s law with an oath, binding themselves with a curse for failure to do so.
The Israelites realign themselves to God’s will and resolve to turn away from sin.

20. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
What techniques can we use to separate ourselves from the world while still engaging it with the gospel?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Considering “separation texts” such as 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 John 2:15
Considering “engagement texts” such as Matthew 5:13-16; 28:19, 20; Acts 17:22-31 20

21. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
In what ways can we model submissiveness to God without appearing sanctimonious?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In terms of speech patterns
In terms of behavior
Considering the difference between the words submissive and passive 21

22. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
Conclusion A. The Greater Work B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

23. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Daily Memorial
1 THESS. 17 5
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the apostle Paul reminds us to pray all the time.
In prayer we can rehearse the past, set apart the present, and anticipate the future.
Take a moment to personalize and silently pray the following prayer.

24. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Daily Memorial
1 THESS. 17 5
God, You are _______. In the past, when I was _______, You _______.
Thank You for Your faithfulness and mercy in my life. I lift up _______ (name of person or people) to You and ask that You would speak to and restore him/her/them.
Help me to remember that _______ and to serve, love, and honor You in all that I do. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

25. Thought to Remember Reflect on the past, but pray for the future
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Thought to Remember
Reflect on the past, but pray for the future

26. Faithful God, Unfaithful People
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Next Week’s Lesson
Faithful God, Unfaithful People