Persevering In The Face Of Opposition

Unit 10 – Perseverance

Lesson 27 – Nehemiah: The Man Who Would Not Quit – Nehemiah, 1,2,4;6:15-16

Preparation for The Teacher

1. Aim: To lead the people to appreciate some of the qualities of Nehemiah who is an example for one who persevered through all kinds of opposition.

2. Explanation of the Aim: The Lord used Nehemiah because he prayed, wept and sought to reconstruct the wall of Jerusalem for the sake of his people. The Lord always uses any who serves His people out of concern for their welfare. People are willing to humble themselves before God and ask him for success for the sake of His church can expect the Lord to give them extraordinary facility. The motives we have for doing good are more important than the actual good deeds that we do. The Lord honors obedience not sacrifice of our time, energy and possessions.

3. The Bible Story: The wall in Jerusalem had broken down and Nehemiah took it upon himself to oversee its reconstruction. The lack of a good wall meant that the Jewish people were constantly subject to attacks from their enemies. No one is able to prosper unless they have a secure environment to live and work in. Godly people like Nehemiah have faith and energy to serve the dwelling place of God’s people. Nehemiah was first willing to allow the Lord to work in the people before he knew that they would be able to accomplish His purposes. Do not think that people can serve God unless their hearts are made wholly committed to Him.

4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION is used to help the people consider all the problems that were involved with not having a good wall to protect the people of Israel? Ask the people what kinds of problems do people face when they are unprotected? Discuss what it takes to get people to work together for their common welfare, security and good? The BIBLE STORY gives us great insights into a persevering leader named Nehemiah. Allow the people to understand what motivated Nehemiah to persevere in the face of a whole host of adversity. The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES gives the people opportunities to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people if they are as persevering as Nehemiah when they run into challenges? Why are we to be strong and courageous and act in seeking to see Christ’s kingdom built up in our communities? What does it mean to build Christ’s kingdom and righteousness?

CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)

Introduction

Help the people consider all the problems that were involved with not having a good wall to protect the people of Israel? Ask the people what kinds of problems do people face when they are unprotected? Discuss what it takes to get people to work together for their common welfare, security and good? Ask the people what it really means to be a person who is persevering (To continue with steadfastness, patience and endurance).

The Bible Story

The book of Nehemiah begins by describing Nehemiah’s distress for the misery of Jerusalem through His prayers. Nehemiah worked as a cup-bearer for the Persian King as a means of protecting the king from anyone who might attempt to poison him. Nehemiah had a relatively easy job but he was willing to sacrifice this for the sake of his own people. This man of God researches the best ways that he can help organize the people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Godly people make it their priority to look for ways that they can help build up God’s kingdom and righteousness. We should do everything we can to evaluate the needs of the church and its people to help them grow in all aspects into Christ. Every church, organization or fellowship has various deficiencies which require services from its friends. Ask the Lord to help you to make the most of every opportunity for spiritual development instead of mere fleshly appearances.

Nehemiah began by praising God for all of the rich resources the people had available to them. Let us begin every task by praising and thanking God for what we have before we begin to ask Him for things we think we need. People who are not grateful for what they have will not be happy when they are given news things.

Nehemiah knew that nothing can be accomplished unless people are united in prayer to the Lord. Otherwise people are tempted to try to get their tasks done in the power of their own flesh. Our best pleas in prayer are taken from the promise of God, the word on which he has caused us to hope. Other means must be used, but the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails most. Communion with God will best prepare us for our dealings with men. When we have entrusted our concerns to God, the mind is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and composure, and difficulties vanish. We know that if the project is difficult, God can surely ease our burden. Prayer in the power of the Spirit helps us know that we have an advocate working things out for good on our behalf.