1. Nehemiah is considered to be a historical figure who demonstrated great leadership. In what positive ways has great leadership affected your life?

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1 Women in the Word Nehemiah 2 and 3 March 7, Nehemiah is considered to be a historical figure who demonstrated great leadership. In what positive ways has great leadership affected your life? How has your wise leadership blessed others lives? 2. Four months have gone by since Nehemiah first heard of the disgraceful condition of Jerusalem and its inhabitants in Nehemiah chapter 1. His desire is to rebuild the city and encourage the Jews living there. Read Nehemiah 2:1-9. How does Proverbs 21:1 shed light on the outcome in these verses when you consider that King Artaxerxes stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem years earlier? What verse from Nehemiah 2:1-9 demonstrates that Nehemiah believed that God is King over the kings of the earth? 3. Slowly read Nehemiah 2:1-9 again. What are some indications in Nehemiah s dialogue with King Artaxerxes that Nehemiah had wisely prepared for this conversation? How else do you see Nehemiah display wisdom during his encounter with King Artaxerxes? What does verse 4 teach us to do when we face huge challenges and huge fears?

2 Women In the Word Nehemiah 2 and 3 March 7, 2013 Page 2 4. Even though we may be walking down a path God laid for us, what does Nehemiah 2:10 teach us about this path? Also read 1 Peter 5:8. What specifically bothered Sanballat and Tobiah about Nehemiah s plans? 5. Read Nehemiah 2:11-18 and list the ways you see Nehemiah displaying good leadership. What happens as a result of Nehemiah s leadership according to verse 18? How is this work described in verse 18? How might Nehemiah s enemies describe this work according to Nehemiah 2:19? Read Nehemiah 2:20. What truth does Nehemiah understand that we all must understand when we are undertaking a very difficult task? Also read Philippians 4:13.

3 Women In the Word Nehemiah 2 and 3 March 7, 2013 Page 3 6. Nehemiah 3 covers some of the details of the rebuilding of Jerusalem s gates and the walls between the gates. As you read the chapter, make a list of the references to each gate. (Nehemiah 3:1, 3, 6, 13, 14, 15, 26, 28, 29, 31) Find these repeated phrases in chapter 3. What insights do they give us about those working on the gates and walls? next to him (3:17-27) repaired another section (3:6-12) doors and bolts and bars were put in place (3:3, 6, 13, 14, 15) Consider the vast amount of repairs and the vast amount of people and people types involved in this great endeavor. Envision the activities and imagine the noises surrounding this mighty work. What do we learn about Nehemiah when we realize he organized this work and recorded the results and the names of all the people who diligently worked on this project? 7. Who were some of the surprising heroes that diligently served God in this ministry according to Nehemiah 3:12? Who chose not to participate in this mighty work of God according to Nehemiah 3:5? What was God accomplishing through the unified work of His people that He also accomplishes in His church today when we choose to serve God together in unity? Read Ephesians 4: Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 Women in the Word- March 7, 2103 Coming Home- the Promises and Providence of God That means you. Living Like a Leader we are called to lead people toward a particular task. But the time we are called to live in a way that leads people toward God. AN EFFECTIVE LEADER- LETS GOD. Leadership is about joining God in the work that He is already doing. It s not about asking God to partner with us in our plans, but asking how we might partner with Him in His plans. TO LIVE OUT THEIR CALLING. Nehemiah 2:1-9 Nehemiah presented his matter to the king with boldness, foresight and wisdom. As His leaders today, we must be prepared to present our calling before others in a way that is bold, thoughtful, respectful and under the umbrella of God s will. PRACTICES THE DISCIPLINE OF. Nehemiah 2:11-12 Nehemiah knew that God was enough and was satisfied with Him and Him alone. As His leaders today, we must also realize that true service rests contented in hiddenness. BEFORE TAKING ACTION. Nehemiah 2:13-16 Nehemiah was soon to make an appeal for a major commitment from the people of Judah and he knew he must understand them and what he was calling them to do. As His leaders today, we patiently understand the needs of others that we might direct them to the One who can meet those needs. BECOMES PART OF A. Nehemiah 2:17-20 & 3 Nehemiah became one with the people of Judah in their trouble and one with them in working out a solution under the direction of God. As His leaders today, we identify with others in their brokenness, that we might testify that God alone can take away their disgrace. As His leaders today, we are not intimidated by the opposing team. God is our Captain. Key: Sometimes, all, lead, prepares, secrecy, appraises, team

5 NEHEMIAH CHAPTERS 2,3 March 7, 2013 EPHESIANS 2:10 FOR WE ARE GOD S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO. ROMANS 12:2 DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD S WILL IS HIS GOOD AND PLEASING AND PERFECT WILL. PSALM 23:1 3 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT BE IN WANT. HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES. HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE QUIET WATERS. HE RESTORES MY SOUL. HE GUIDES ME IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME S SAKE. I PETER 4:15 17 ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU TO GIVE THE REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE. BUT DO THIS WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT, KEEPING A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, SO THAT THOSE WHO SPEAK MALICIOUSLY AGAINST YOUR GOOD BEHAVIOR IN CHRIST MAY BE ASHAMED OF THEIR SLANDER. IT IS BETTER, IF IT IS GOD S WILL, TO SUFFER FOR DOING GOOD THAT FOR DOING EVIL. MATTHEW 6:1 JESUS SAID, BE CAREFUL NOT TO DO YOUR ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE MEN. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD FROM YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. EPHESIANS 4:1 3 AS A PRISONER FOR THE LORD, I URGE YOU TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED. BE COMPLETELY HUMBLE AND GENTLE; BE PATIENT, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE. COLOSSIANS 4:5,6 BE WISE IN THE WAY YOU ACT TOWARD OUTSIDERS; MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY. LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE ALWAYS FULL OF GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER EVERYONE. ROMANS 3:22 24 THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD COMES THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST TO ALL WHO BELIEVE. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, AND ARE JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT CAME BY CHRIST JESUS. ROMANS 8:31 33 IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS? WHO WILL BRING ANY CHARGE AGAINST THOSE WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN? IT IS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES.

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