2. Read Nehemiah 9:1-3. List the actions of God s people just days after their rejoicing.

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1 Women in the Word Nehemiah 9 and 10 April 11, Read Nehemiah 8:10-12 and 8:17-18, which describe the spirit of the Jews as they have completed the wall of Jerusalem and listened to Ezra s reading of the Law. What is the atmosphere in the city and in the hearts of God s people? 2. Read Nehemiah 9:1-3. List the actions of God s people just days after their rejoicing. What is the catalyst of their confession? Read verse 3 for insight. What truth do we learn from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that was also true in Nehemiah s time? 3. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down to enjoy reading all of Nehemiah chapter 9 in one sitting. It is an outstanding historical reminder of God s plan and faithfulness to His chosen people. As you read, write down the words that are recorded or come to your mind that describe God. 4. In Nehemiah chapter 9, beginning with verse 7 and ending with verse 37, there are 11 paragraphs. In case your Bible does not separate them into paragraphs, these are the beginnings of the paragraphs: 9:7; 9:9; 9:13; 9:16; 9:19; 9:22; 9:26; 9:28; 9:29; 9:32 and 9:36. Briefly read through these paragraphs again and come up with your own titles that summarize each paragraph

2 Women In the Word Nehemiah 9 and 10 April 11, 2013 Page 2 5. In one sentence, how would you summarize the history of Israel and God s dealings with her? In one sentence, how would you summarize the history of your life and God s dealings with you? 6. Nehemiah 9:37 states that the returned exiles are in great distress. List the reasons for this according to 9: Even though these Jews are again living in their own land, what do they call themselves? What does 2 Peter 2:19 teach us about slavery? How has this proven true for Israel? 7. Read Nehemiah 9:36 10:29. Are these Jews aware of their sins and the sins of their people? What do we learn from 1 John 1:8-10 regarding unconfessed sin? Regarding confessed sin? What steps do the Jews take in Nehemiah 9:38 10:29 to make obedience to God a priority in their lives? When we have strayed from God and desire to renew our relationship with Him, what comes first obedience or confession? Why?

3 Women In the Word Nehemiah 9 and 10 April 11, 2013 Page 3 8. Read Nehemiah 10:30-39 to understand the commitments the people made to God. Summarize the three main stipulations that they spelled out in their binding agreement. Verse 30 Verse 31 Verses How might these pledges correspond to the issues facing their community at the time? Remember that they are a holy people with a holy calling surrounded by pagan nations. 9. What are the motivators that spur us to obedience according to these verses? John 14:21 James 1: John 5:3 Psalm 119: Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 Women in the Word- April 11, 2013 Coming Home- The Promises and Providence of God RETURNING TO OUR FAITHFUL GOD Nehemiah 9 & 10 RECALLING THE CALLING OF GOD 9:1-5 BRINGS GRIEF TO OUR HEARTS When we have abandoned our calling, grieving is the first step toward lasting. RENEWS DIVINE ROMANCE IN OUR HEARTS This is an opportunity to return to the One who us the most. GROWS WISDOM IN OUR HEARTS Returning to the disciplines of His Word, prayer, confession and worship bring us to a deeper understanding of the of God. REVIEWING THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD 9:5-31 The remnant reviewed the birth of their nation and found God righteous. The remnant reviewed the delivery of their nation and found God gracious. The remnant reviewed the confirmation of their nation and found God compassionate. The remnant reviewed the growth of their nation in the Promised Land and found God patient. GOD S FAITHFULNESS TO ISRAEL WAS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS PERFECT BALANCE OF AND. In faith we trust that God s dealings in our past are covered in His compassion. RENEWING A COMMITMENT TO GOD 9:32-37 & 10:1-39 RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS STILL THERE REALIZE THAT GOD S PROMISES ARE STILL TRUE HAND HIM YOUR HEART Submit your life to the of His Word. Hold sacred your spiritual. Protect in your life. your spiritual family. KEY: joy, loves, greatness, mercy, justice, authority, identity, worship, honor

5 NEHEMIAH 9 & 10 April 11, TIMOTHY 2:13 IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF. JOB 22:23 IF YOU RETURN TO THE ALMIGHTY, YOU WILL BE RESTORED. EPHESIANS 1:3,4 PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED US IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST. FOR HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS IN HIS SIGHT. 1 PETER 2:9 10 BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD, THAT YOU MAY DECLARE THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT. PSALM 100:1,2 SHOUT FOR THE JOY ALL THE EARTH, WORSHIP THE LORD WITH GLADNESS. KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD. IT IS HE WHO HAS MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE. LEVITICUS 20:26 I HAVE SET YOU APART FROM THE PEOPLE TO BE MINE. JAMES 4:4,5 YOU ADULTEROUS PEOPLE, DON T YOU KNOW THAT FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS HATRED TOWARD GOD? ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD BECOMES AN ENEMY OF GOD. I JOHN 3:1 HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD! AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE! THE REASON THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US, IS THAT IT DID NOT KNOW HIM. I PETER 1:8 THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM, YOU LOVE HIM. AND EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT SEE HIM NOW, YOU BELIEVE IN HIM AND ARE FILLED WITH AN INEXPRESSIBLE AND GLORIOUS JOY, FOR YOU ARE RECEIVING THE GOAL OF YOUR FAITH THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.