Lent 2020 – Part 4

Nehemiah 7:73b-10:39

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be streaming our Sunday service live at 11:00 AM each Sunday morning via Facebook Live for the foreseeable future. (Our church building is now closed for any events/activities). A copy of this Sunday’s worship service is available at https://www.facebook.com/gbchope/videos/209451520370491/ and on the GBC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTT_ezmTBq467y02W9pIV3w. The regular sermon audio will be available on the sermon posts as usual.

1. RETURNING and REBUILDING in Ezra/Nehemiah
   1. The TEMPLE, The COMMUNITY, and the WALL
      Ezra 1-6; Ezra 7-10; Neh. 1-7
   2. Difficult DECISIONS in the midst of OPPOSITION
      Ezra 4:1-24; Ezra 9 & 10:1-4; Neh. 2-6
   1. QUESTIONABLE Results
      Ezra 3:12-13; Ezra 10; Neh. ???
2. LISTENING to the LAW. Neh. 8-10
   1. COMMUNICATES our Story.
      Neh. 9
   2. CONVICTS us of Sin.
      Neh. 8:9, 9:33-37
   3. COMFORTS our Fears.
      Neh. 8:10-12
   4. CONFIRMS our need for a Covenant.
      Neh. 10
3. Our NEED in EXILE. I Peter 1:1,17, 2:11
   1. Our Need to HEAR our STORY
      Deut. 4:9-10; 6:5-9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
   2. Our Need for CONFESSION
      James 5:16; I John 1:9; Psalm 32:5
   3. Our Need for a COVENANT KEEPER
      Isaiah 42:5-9

Questions for Further Reflection

1. Kid’s Question: Ask your parents to watch this clip with you. This covers the story for Nehemiah 1-7. Have you ever tried to do the right thing only to have people give you a hard time?
2. How does this interpretation of Ezra and Nehemiah challenge you? How does this challenge or change your understanding of scripture?
3. When have you done what you felt was the right thing but been met with questionableresults? How have you interpreted those?
4. What has been your relationship with the Bible? Is it something you enjoy reading? Do thestories speak to you? Has it been a confusing obstacle in your relationship with God? Has it just seemed ancient and boring?
5. What is your story? How would you communicate it to someone if they asked you for your story?
6. What is your reflex reaction to the word, “Sin”. Is it a word about acts, the things we do, or is instead a word about a state we find ourselves in?
7. What does it mean/look like to have a relationship (covenant) with God?