Building Against the Odds

Young Adult Young Adult Sunday School Spring Quarter, 2014 Building Against the Odds A Study in Nehemiah Written by Robbie Horne EDITOR IN CHIEF: Larry E. Clements larryclements@bogardpress.org BUSINESS MANAGER: Wayne Sewell wsewell@bogardpress.org PRODUCTION EDITOR: Sally McInvale ADULT EDITOR: Jim Jones CHILDREN S EDITOR: Libby Gill ILLUSTRATOR: Connie Spears GRAPHIC ARTISTS: Shawn Blase Jeff Allen Greg Hilterbrand LAYOUT DESIGNERS: Kyle Elkins Cindy Butler Ashley Elkins CONTENT EDITORS: Terry McKellar Deby Turrentine Carolyn Burks Joni Curtis PRINT PRODUCTION: Charles Easley Cover Design: Jeff Allen Copyright 2014 Vol. 1, No. 1 Bogard Press 4605 N. State Line Ave. Texarkana, TX 75503-2928 www.bogardpress.org 1-800-264-2482 QUARTERLY AIM: The students will learn that, if they have a heart for the work, a vision for the future and complete the projects they begin, they will overcome the odds and find success. March 2 Caring Enough To Ask... 3 Nehemiah 1:1-11 9 Waiting on God.... 10 Nehemiah 2:8-10 16 Moving from Burden to Vision... 17 Nehemiah 2:11-18 23 Having a Heart To Build... 25 Nehemiah 2:29 4:6 30 Changing Strategies... 32 Nehemiah 4:7-14 April 6 Hearing the Cry of the People... 39 Nehemiah 5:1-11 13 Stopping a Great Work... 47 Nehemiah 6:1-14 20 Disheartening Our Enemies... 54 Nehemiah 6:15, 16 27 Building Bigger than Our Dreams.... 61 Nehemiah 7:1-6, 66-73 May 4 Building Through Worship... 69 Nehemiah 8:1-12 11 The Joy of Getting Back to the Basics... 76 Nehemiah 8:13-18 18 Making a Covenant.... 83 Nehemiah 9:1-3, 38; 10:38, 39 25 Forsaking God s House... 90 Nehemiah 13:7-11

About the Writer Dr. Robbie Horne is the pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church, Mablevale, AR. Robbie is married to Pam (Clift) Horne. Robbie has two children, Jacquelyn and Clint, and two grandchildren, Cody Dale Beene and Hadley Grace Horne. Robbie is a 1970 graduate of Benton High School, Benton, AR. After serving three years in the United States Army, Robbie enrolled in the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, AR, where he earned a bachelor s and a master s degree in theology. In 2010, Robbie reached a longterm goal when he earned a doctor s degree in theology from Central Arkansas Baptist Bible Institute in Benton, AR. Robbie is an instructor at CABBI and teaches Hermeneutics, Ethics, Church Epistles and Leadership. Robbie enjoys the Arkansas Razorbacks, reading, writing, talking, teaching, picking his guitar and spending quality time with his dog Max. Email: robbiehorne@sbcglobal.net

Lesson 1 March 2, 2014 Caring Enough To Ask Lesson Text: Nehemiah 1:1-11 Principle: Building against the odds demands a caring attitude. Introducing the Principle In 538 BC, Jerusalem lay in ruins. Against all odds, a few survivors of the Babylonian captivity were trying to rebuild the city walls. Progress was slow, practically nonexistent. To build against the odds, the small band of Jews in Jerusalem needed help. Help came in the form of a man. His name was Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes, a position that kept him in close proximity to the king at all times. Whenever King Artaxerxes desired water or wine, Nehemiah was always present to serve him. Also, by tasting the water and wine himself, Nehemiah ensured Artaxerxes safety. Enemies could not poison the king as long as Nehemiah did his job properly. Needless to say, being King Artaxerxes cupbearer was a position of great trust. Artaxerxes ruled the Persian empire from 465 to 424 BC. Artaxerxes reign over the Persian empire was a stable one. This does not mean Artaxerxes was a godly man. It simply means that 3

he was a good administrator and a shrewd politician. Artaxerxes was also surnamed Macrocheir (Longimanus in Latin), because his right hand was longer than his left (Plutarch). During Artaxerxes reign, Israel s 70 years of captivity in Babylon had come to an end. The rebuilding of the Jewish community in Jerusalem that began under Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple of Solomon. Consequently, a number of Jews returned to Jerusalem in 538 BC, and the foundation of this Second Temple was laid the following year. Nehemiah, with his prominent position in the king s court, really did not have to concern himself with the Jews in Jerusalem. In fact, he could have said, So what? My countrymen may be struggling, but my life is set. I m secure, and there is nothing I can do to help them. Nehemiah, however, did not take the road of self-preservation. When his brother, Hanani, and several men from Judah came to Shushan, the winter residence of Persian kings, he asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem (Neh. 1:2). This is the first step in building against the odds caring enough to ask. Think About It What is so special about having a caring attitude? Since Nehemiah cared enough to ask, list ways that you may show you care about people, places and institutions. Exploring the Principle Caring Enough To Ask Nehemiah cared enough to ask (Neh. 1:1, 2). When Hanani and his friends walked into the king s winter residence, Nehemiah could have greeted them like a big wheel, patted them on the shoulders, and said, It s good to see you, guys. I hope you have a wonderful vacation in Shushan and that you go home well rested and refreshed. Nehemiah, however, did not play the role of a big wheel. He asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning 4

Jerusalem (verse 2). Nehemiah honestly cared enough to ask about the welfare of his countrymen. This is the first step in building against the odds: caring! Why was Nehemiah s asking such a big deal? Asking shows Nehemiah cared. We can say we care all we want, but until we put our words into action, they mean nothing. Jesus said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34). Loving people and caring go hand-inhand; therefore, our actions prove we love and care (1 John 3:18). Nehemiah cared enough to ask. Several years ago USA Today ran a series of articles on the changing medical profession in North America. Doctors Hillel Finestone and David Conter of the University of Western Ontario purported that medical doctors should take acting classes so they can at least pretend they are concerned about their patients. The two doctors were not being facetious. They shared their thoughts with the medical community for serious consideration. They said, We do not put forward the idea cynically. Acting classes should be required in medical school so doctors can learn just when to provide a perfectly timed compassionate look, or a touch on the hand. Faking love, compassion or care, of course, is not right. In fact, it is hypocritical. We can learn, however, from the medical profession how important it is for people to know we care. What is important to you? What are you passionate about? 5

Think About It How perceptive are you? How observant are you? Are you interested in people? Are you observant enough and perceptive enough to notice when a friend seems to be troubled or depressed? If you are perceptive enough to notice that a friend may be going through a difficult time, you should approach him and sincerely ask, Is something wrong? If you really care, take the time to discover ways to encourage those who need encouragement. Asking and Meaning It Asking is one thing. Asking and meaning it is another. Sometimes we ask just to be polite. We do not expect an answer; we re just making conversation. When we ask, How are you today? as a greeting, do we really want to know? Nehemiah didn t try to avoid the sad condition of the people in Jerusalem when his brother and friends arrived in Shushan. With concern in his voice, he looked into their eyes and asked them about the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem (Neh. 1:2). Nehemiah was sincerely concerned about his people. Nehemiah was concerned about Jerusalem, the city of David, the city of God. Nehemiah asked... and he meant it. Seeing genuine concern, Hanani and his friends replied, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire (verse 3). Hanani, Nehemiah s brother, literally said, Nehemiah, things are horrible in Jerusalem. The people are miserable and in great distress. They are being reproached, scorned and taunted. Jerusalem is a city without protective walls and the gates have been burned. Absolutely nothing has been accomplished. Our people are becoming more and more depressed every day. Our city is in shambles. Things are bad, Nehemiah, really bad. 6

A pastor s son often wondered why people always called his father and told him about their problems and ailments, so he usually had some sarcastic, catty remark prepared every time the phone rang. After a somewhat lengthy conversation, the pastor finally hung up the phone and his sarcastic son asked, What s the problem this time? Is someone constipated again? One day the PK was serious for a change asked his dad, Why do people call all the time and tell you their problems? The pastor gave his son a look that said, I hope you re not being sarcastic, and saw that his son was serious and gave him an honest but straightforward answer, Son, you d be surprised how little personal attention most people receive. They believe I m concerned enough to listen, and they appreciate it. Therefore, I ll always take time to listen to their problems. Great answer! We should practice the same principle in our lives. Nehemiah cared enough to ask... and he meant it. Do Something... Anything Nehemiah was concerned enough to ask... and he meant it. What is unique about Nehemiah is, once his question was answered, he wanted to do something about the problem. But what could he do? Nehemiah was a slave too! An influential slave? Yes! But he was a slave just the same. And he could not take off, even if he wanted to, to help the Jews in Jerusalem. So, what did Nehemiah do? He said, And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven (Neh. 1:4). Nehemiah cried! By the way, it is okay to cry over things that are important to us. Nehemiah, however, did not mourn and remain down in the dumps long. He turned from depression to fasting and prayer. Nehemiah came to the conclusion that sitting down, crying 7 Think About It Nehemiah wept when he heard about the Jews in Jerusalem and the city itself. Emotion caring is the first step you must take to build against the odds. When you feel inadequate, pray! God hears your prayers. Prayer is the starting point, the place where you can begin making a difference.

You never know what God has in mind. You never know the wheels God turns as a result of prayer. For Nehemiah, prayer was the catalyst that changed the situation of the Jews in Jerusalem. You don t have to be a prophet to pray and make a difference. Elijah may have been a prophet, but he was just a man. The prayers of Elijah stopped and started the rain in Israel. Your prayers will make a difference too. It is better to try to accomplish something great and fail than do nothing and succeed. and mourning would not accomplish anything. Although Nehemiah could not pack up and head for Jerusalem, he did the right thing. He turned to the God of Heaven, who can do anything (verses 5-11). Often we feel inadequate. It may seem trite when we tell people who are going through a difficult time, all we know to do is pray. Praying, however, is not being inadequate! Praying to the God of Heaven is setting the stage for the God of Heaven to work in our lives, and in the lives of our friends, in our city and in our nation. Prayer is the starting point, the place where we begin making a difference. Nehemiah cared enough to ask. The answer he received, however, depressed him. Nehemiah knew that the odds were against the Jews in Jerusalem, and that the odds were against Jerusalem itself. Nehemiah mourned for many days. Then, his mourning turned to prayer, and God, through Nehemiah s prayers, softened the heart of a king (Neh. 2:1, 2). Don t ever think prayers aren t enough! Prayer can change tragedy into triumph. As James wrote, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit (James 5:16-18). 8

Grasping the Principle What does Nehemiah s caring enough to ask have to do with our churches? As far as the world is concerned, even the religious world, we are working against the odds. Realistically, the odds are against us. Satan, a real and tenacious enemy, sees to it. The fact that the odds are against us does not mean our churches cannot grow, prosper and be effective. They can. However, if we expect to build against the odds, we, like Nehemiah, must care. A church cannot build and be truly successful if the members of that church do not care. Living the Principle Monday Tuesday Wednesday As I build against the odds, I will spend quiet time thinking about ways to make a difference in my church. As I build against the odds, I will think about my church and the ministries I am passionate about. As I build against the odds, I will pray about the ministries of my church and ask God to build a spiritual fire in me. Thursday Friday Saturday As I build against the odds, I will send out a group message encouraging my friends and class members about the great potential our church has. As I build against the odds, I will list areas of ministry that I believe may be effective in my church and pray specifically for them. As I build against the odds, I will pray for my pastor. I will ask God to allow him to speak to my heart so that I may be inspired to build something significant. Applying the Principle I will not be a dispassionate person. If I lack passion for the Lord s work, I will become a caring person because caring is where building begins. 9