REBUILDING FAITH – SESSION ONE by Rev. Michael R. Hodge ©2012
MICHAEL R. HODGE REBUILDING FAITH – SESSION ONE by Rev. Michael R. Hodge ©2012
REBUILDING FAITH
Seven Steps to Experiencing a Renewal of Faith
by Rev. Michael R. Hodge
Session Two: “Rise and Build: Examining our Brokenness”
Focal Text: Nehemiah 2
Message to Group Leaders
It is my prayer that your first session facilitated the opening of hearts to consider where we as believers often miss the mark in our relationship with the Lord. We are going to move deeper into the Rebuilding Faith diagram in this second session as we consider the word “Examine”. The focus of this second session is to reinforce the goals of the first session as we draw the lens in closer on the process of examining our brokenness. I encourage you to adapt this material to your group so that it speaks specifically to your situation.
Introduction to Second Session
February and March of 2012 proved to be a disastrous period throughout the middle portions of the United States as one tornado after another ripped through the area. In the weeks and months that followed, one Disaster Relief team after another moved into the area to assist in the task of rebuilding. After days of working with chain saws, pulling debris, and reconstructing…some of the most difficult words to hear in the early hours of the morning from the team leaders can be, “Let’s rise and build!”
Well just as those can be challenging words to a weary relief team, so these were challenging words to a weary nation. As the children of Israel have now returned to the land, our guide Nehemiah is going to issue a challenge. Rather than sit in their defeat, he is going to issue that very call, “Rise and Build!”
In preparation for the writing of this material, I was reading through the text and my mind went to a recent trip to an oil changing station. While I was there at the Oil Changing shop waiting, I was standing just outside of the bay while they were working. As I waited, I was looking at all of the different tools that they had in the shop. One of the things that I thought was fascinating was not just the fact that there are tools all over the shop – a tool for everything. But what stood out to me that day was the fact that every tool had a picture behind it to make sure that it made it back to the right place. So no matter who was working, everybody knew what tools were available and where to find them!
As we begin our second session, our goal is not just to figure out the tools that we’ll need for “Rebuilding Faith”. Beyond that, we want to be like those oil change mechanics as we know just where to put those tools in our journey of faith.
As a reminder, each of our weekly sessions will build upon the previous week’s material. It’s great that the group has gathered for this second session and I hope you’ll remain committed throughout the series. But just to make sure we are keeping all of the tools in the right place, let’s begin with a brief review of what was covered in session one.
Review: In our first session, the theme was “Recognizing our Failures”. The context for that first session was Nehemiah having just learned about the situation in post-captivity Jerusalem. The people were not doing as they were commanded but were instead relaxing in the comfort of their own homes (Haggai 1:4). When this word came to Nehemiah that they had arrived and lost their passion and focus, his heart was broken. They were in the land but they were in despair and discouraged. And yet Nehemiah arose as a leader in a time when faith needed to rebuilt.
So the beginning point last week was essentially concerning our AWARENESS of brokenness. But to stop there would be rather disheartening. Because the goal of this material is not just to agree that we’re a mess, what I want us to do this week is to go a step further and focus even more on the ACTION STEPS that result from our brokenness. Recognizing is step one, but examining is step two when it comes to us rebuilding our faith and experiencing spiritual renewal.
REFER to DIAGRAM: You will notice in your outline the diagram that we referred to in Session One. That diagram is guiding our progression through this study. We began with “Recognize”…and now we move to step two… “Examine”.
So as we walk through what it means to “Examine our Brokenness”, our journey begins in Nehemiah 2 with the first point in 2nd session:
I. Examine our Hearts
Key Question: How deep does the desire for rebuilding faith truly go?
Key Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-5
Read Nehemiah 2:1-5
Follow-up Comments: As we think about the key question for this first point, “How deep does the desire for rebuilding go?” it conjures up the image of a kid on the night before the family vacation. You tell them to go to bed…and 30 minutes later they’re standing in the hallway saying, “I can’t sleep!” Why? Well it’s because their minds can’t stop thinking about what’s ahead. And as we talk about “examining our hearts”, it’s asking ourselves truly how deep the desire goes for a renewal of faith and a passion for serving the Lord.
And as we look at the life of Nehemiah, one of the first clear truths concerning his heart is seen in this…
a. Nehemiah refused to keep on living life as usual.
GROUP DISCUSSION: In order to keep the group involved in the discussion, take a moment to discuss what a typical day looks like in the life of your group members (kids to school, work deadlines, housework, etc).
Discussion Follow-Up: Just as your group has shared various activities that make up their daily routines, point out that Nehemiah first began living life as usual (Chapter 2 begins in the month of Nisan, 4 months later than chapter one).
Deduction: So we can deduce from that timing that Nehemiah DID go back to life as normal in the palace. But as time passed…he simply could not keep going through the motions. The burden of his people was too great!
And part of no longer living life as usual meant that Nehemiah
b. Nehemiah was willing to take off the masks.
GROUP MEMBER: Ask a group member to read the last sentence of Neh. 2:1, “Now I had never been sad in his presence before.”
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: Ask the group why they think it was so important that the cupbearer not be sad in the presence of the king.
Response: Historians tell us that being sad in the presence of the king could have resulted in a death penalty. The king wanted joy and jubilee around him 24/7!
But as we look at the response of Nehemiah, is his long-awaited response because Nehemiah hadn’t been moved before by the news? Of course, we know from our study in Session One that this is not true. We know the news from Jerusalem had moved him to prayer, fasting, and mourning. And yet he kept up a mask that all was fine and dandy!
FOUR MONTHS: Can you imagine what those 4 months were like? He was trying his best to keep it all in. He didn’t want to risk his standing with the king or even his life…so he hid what was going on in his heart.
But as the masks came off…that’s when the real work started happening in the life of Nehemiah!
And as he took off the mask and let his sorrow be known…we see a third component…
c. Nehemiah faced a decision and pressed ahead.
Our text says, “So I became dreadfully afraid….and said to the king…”
In other words, Nehemiah chose to press ahead and to share the great need of his people.
The Story of Daniel: And when we think about individuals that faced a fork in the road, there may be many examples that your group members could share. One example that often comes to mind when we consider examples of individuals who faced a choice with excellence is Daniel and his friends.
Consider for a moment the life of Daniel and his friends. In two separate stories they were faced with the charge to bow down to a king (the furnace and the lion’s den) or face certain punishment.
Can you imagine the peer pressure in that moment? We can imagine that everyone around them was saying, “Get down! Bow down and save yourself a real mess!” OR “Don’t pray publicly Daniel!”
But at that fork in the road…they made a decision…and the decision honored God even as they faced the reality of tribulation.
Point: Folks, as we “examine our hearts” in this SECOND STEP in our journey…the question I want us to ask as we begin is this, “How deep does the desire go to experience a renewal of faith? It’s asking ourselves, “Are we content to stay right where we are?”
Nehemiah chose not to remain in a place of comfort. Instead, he chose to boldly step out for God! And the truth is…we face those kinds of pivotal decisions on a daily basis.
Transition into Joke: Take for example the decision to have more children.
This is one of those controversial statements but I fully stand behind it. Women should not have children after 35! Some say, "Of course women can have children after 35!" They don’t know what they are talking about and I can guarantee they have had very little experience in the matter. I don’t care what the doctor says. I don’t care what your friends say. Women should not have children after 35! I don’t advise it, I vehemently recommend against it, and loudly and even at times rudely tell people "don’t even consider it." You can quote me on this. If you want to say that I said it. And I said it more than once. "Women should not have children after 35!" Some will send rude e-mails proclaiming the freedom of the womb but I still stand by what I said. You may disagree with me, that’s your right. I still stand firm on the issue. With most things I keep an open mind but not on this issue. If I find an exception to this rule, then I will be open to change but for now, it’s firmly closed because I have never seen an exception. Women should not have children after 35! …..35 children are enough!
Point of Joke: Well 35 children would definitely take you outside of your comfort zone! But for Nehemiah, it wasn’t children…but CHOICES…that took him outside of his comfort zone as he faced a decision and pressed ahead.
Transition: And what we see in our text is that because of the obedience of Nehemiah is this…
d. Nehemiah began experiencing God’s power in action. READ vs. 6
Notice the key words in vs. 6… “it pleased the king to send me…”
Nehemiah set out believing God for the impossible and God did just that in Nehemiah’s presence.
Church Assessment: During the writing of this material our church was going through a process with our state convention to assess the strengths/weaknesses of our church. As I received those results, it was interesting to see where we were doing well and where we needed to invest more of our time/energy.
As a part of this process, a group of our church members elected to meet with Dr. Ken Hemphill of North Greenville University. As the Dean of the Church Planting and Revitalization program at the school, he invited our church to come and to sit down with him in order to discuss our church assessment. In that session, one recurring theme was simply this - everything about our Church Growth begins with us asking for God to change our hearts. It’s only then He can change programs, classes, ministries, etc.
The non-negotiable is this - it has to begin with God doing a work in our hearts so that we’re ready for that next step.
Context: For Nehemiah, as he was obedient to the call to return to the land, that obedience took him before the king (risking his life). In the process, God revealed Himself in a powerful way.
To the Group Facilitator: As you are taking your group through this material, this may be a stopping point for your group to consider whether or not you are expecting God to do the impossible through your church or Bible study group. Are you expecting God to do big things?
Nehemiah did just that and God revealed Himself through His choice instrument – a king!
Reviewing the First Point…
1. Nehemiah refused to live life as normal.
2. He took off the masks.
3. He faced a decision and pressed ahead.
4. And as a result…he experienced God’s powerful presence in action.
Transition: As we set out to “examine our hearts”…the important NEXT STEP is…
II. Examine our Plan
Key Question: Have you considered God’s next steps for your growth in faith?
Key Scripture: Neh. 2:7-10
Read Nehemiah 2:7-10
Discussion Question: Taking a look at those verses…what are several of the things that Nehemiah requested in his plan of going to Jerusalem? What did he request in vs. 7? What did he request in vs. 8?
Answers: He requested letters to help him pass safely. He requested wood for the gates.
Nehemiah didn’t show up without a clear idea of what was the next step. Instead, what is clear in the text is that Nehemiah had already thought through what was needed to make this a reality.
Application to Us: So let’s build off of that reality in this session. Using Nehemiah’s example of a clear plan as God led him to step out…let’s allow our group to think about what kind of PLAN we might develop individually that would help us to move to that next step in our relationship with the Lord.
The starting point might be...
a. The plan begins in personal goals of spiritual growth.
One “opposite example” of this would be my own in-laws. You see, if they are going on a trip, there’s no long itinerary, list of things to do, or sights to see, Why? Well, because more often than not, they set out without any real plan about where they are going. They just pack some clothes and get in the car. Several years ago when they did one of these trips…they started out like that and they ended up down in Florida somewhere (from the upstate of South Carolina)!
Key: Now we could look at that illustration and observe that even though they don’t have a plan…they still end up somewhere. Well that may be true…but I just don’t think that applies too well to our faith. You see, we can’t just wander through life – go to a few Bible studies here and there – and magically you’ll be transformed into a mature Christian! We need a plan!
So given that, I believe a key component in REBUILDING FAITH is our willingness to follow the example of Nehemiah in “examining our plan” – a plan for the faith that we desire!
GROUP DISCUSSION TIME: And maybe you have some examples of this in your own lives. Have there been any goals, objectives, plans in your own walk with God that you’ve achieved or you’re still working towards?
(Examples: Maybe it’s in relation to consistent Bible study, prayer time, church attendance, etc).
Transition: And as we are willing to set a goal for the faith that we desire, I believe we’ll experience…
b. God’s answer to our desire for rebuilding our faith.
In our text it says, “And it pleased the king to send me”. As I read that, what I see is the fact that God did for Nehemiah was seemed impossible!
Transition to Joke: And along those lines, one little girl experienced a little bit of this idea of “the impossible”.
That’s Impossible JOKE: A little girl spoke to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it is a very large mammal, its throat is very small. The little girl said, "But how can that be? Jonah was swallowed by a whale." Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human. "It is physically impossible!" she said. Undaunted, the little girl said, "Well, when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah." To this, the teacher said, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then YOU ask him!"
Point of Joke: Well just as she challenged what was possible…so did Nehemiah. You see, Nehemiah set out with a plan…and God answered that desire to boldly follow God’s timing of returning to the land.
Experiencing God: In the Experiencing God discipleship resource, the constant theme is “Find out where God is working and join Him”. Well for Nehemiah, that’s exactly what we see happening. He found out that God was working once again among His children in Jerusalem…and Nehemiah chose to join in on that work!
Key: God answered his desire for rebuilding faith.
Transition: And yet as God answers our desires for growing in faith…we also need to be prepared as we are…
c. Anticipating the challenges of a renewal of faith.
As we arrived at this point in our Nehemiah study, we were also walking through the Bible in our weekend worship services. In the message just prior to this session, we had just covered the pinnacle moment when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan…only to realize that the next event in the story was the temptation of Jesus.
In our own lives, this can also be a difficult reality. We go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
As we look at the story of Nehemiah, notice what happened upon his arrival.
In vs. 10, Nehemiah shares several individuals that were deeply disturbed by his coming to the area.
Even though he may have been on the highest high as he arrived in the area, he immediately realized that not everyone else was as excited as he was about the event! And they sought to discourage him!
Application to Us: And in the same way, as we seek to live for the Lord, there are going to be speed bumps all along the way. And yet we have to know that it is in GOD’S STRENGTH that we’ll walk this journey and not in our own!
Review Time: And so the first aspect of this SECOND step of REBUILDING FAITH is examining our brokenness. That means we “examine our hearts…we examine our plan…but we also…
III. Examine our Walls -
Key Question: How willing are you to be transparent about your victories/challenges of faith?
Key Scripture: Read Neh. 2:11-16
Read Nehemiah 2:11-16
In the missionary training process for Southern Baptist missionaries, one of the components of that training is to encourage the missionaries to take serious their own responsibility for their personal spiritual growth. Because the missionaries are often far removed from other believers, the discipline of personal spiritual growth is a necessity.
So with that intent, one of the training tools used is what is called a “Personal Spiritual Retreat”. Basically, the missionaries had assigned times where they go and find a solitary place where for two hours they could read the Bible, pray, do a Bible study, etc. It is an opportunity to retreat even though you may not be able to physically leave the area for an extended time of revival.
Relation to Nehemiah: Well as we look at the idea of “examining the walls”…that’s exactly where Nehemiah begins as he arrives in Jerusalem. Vs. 11 says, “So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days”.
Most scholars agree that this was an extended REST PERIOD following the journey. This same pattern is seen in Ezra 8:32 where they came and stayed for three days. And regardless of whether this was for physical rest or for spiritual rejuvenation, the fact remains that examining our walls begins in us being willing to RETREAT from our busy lives (or our ongoing rigid schedules) and spend time one on one with God!
Transition: And as Nehemiah did just that…we see first of all…
a. It begins in a personal commitment.
For Nehemiah, that meant that he set out during the night, not sharing what God had put on his heart. You see, it had begun as a personal commitment.
Transition: But if I am truly “examining my brokenness”…then I have to be willing to say…
b. No area is off the table.
Nehemiah went from ONE END of the town to the OTHER! He literally looked at the expanse of the wall to see the brokenness that the people were facing.
He viewed the Valley Gate, Serpent Well, Refuse Gate, all the walls, Fountain Gate, King’s Pool.
From one end to the other Nehemiah went out looking at the destruction and devastation around him.
Application to Faith: But as we look at our own lives, I HOPE that we don’t look inward and see destruction and devastation. I hope that’s not the testimony of your lives. BUT…
Inspecting the Cracks: What can be true in the heart of any believers is the appearance of cracks in the wall.
• It’s where we are growing cold in our commitment.
• It’s when we are growing more critical than loving of those around us.
• It’s when other things start taking front seat versus our faith.
And as we ignore the “slow fade”…before long those cracks turn into crumbling walls. And so as we set out to examine our brokenness…it means we leave nothing off the table!
Transition: And yet as we leave nothing off the table…what we’re striving for here is this…
c. It goes beyond emotionalism or ritualism
Look at vs. 16… “And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, and others the work”
Nehemiah wasn’t moved by the scene because it was overly dramatic, emotional, or a pep rally of faith. Instead, this whole process was a very INTERNAL change taking place.
Discussion Question: Why would you say that Nehemiah chose not to immediately share what he had seen?
• Very likely…he wasn’t sure what the next step was. God was still revealing that to him.
• He needed to gather his thoughts and consider what God was about to do!
Point: And that’s what these FIRST TWO STEPS in this process have been all about…starting with the INTERNAL before we move to how we live that out in the external world around us!
And as we examine our walls…the final point there on your outline is that we are to be all about…
IV. Examining our Motivation
Key Question: How will you respond to the challenge “Rise up and build”?
Key Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-20
Read Nehemiah 2:17-20
Motivating Company: There once was a company that was trying to investigate the potential of having their products built overseas. Having worked in the States for years, they sort of knew what to expect out of the manufacturing process…and in order to encourage the plant in Japan…they sent these instructions:
In the specifications, they set out that they will accept only 5 defective parts per 20,000.
When the delivery came in there was an accompanying letter.
‘We, Japanese people, had a tough time understanding the American Business practices.
But the five defective parts per 20,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in those in a separate packaging clearly mentioned “Defective pieces as per requirement, not for use. Hope the products are to your satisfaction.”
So what was the expectation of manufacturing in that Japanese plant? PERFECTION! In fact, they had to make a special run of defective parts just to fill the order!
Well, let’s just assume that the response of the people wouldn’t have been so perfect in Nehemiah’s time. Let’s just imagine that they needed a little more motivating. So how did Nehemiah motivate them?
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Take a look at vs. 17. Using that verse alone…what was motivating about what Nehemiah did? What are some elements in his response to the destruction that would have rallied the people?
1. He motivated the people because he identified with them.
2. He motivated the people because he stressed the seriousness of the situation.
3. He motivated the people because he was committed to a definitive action.
4. He motivated the people because he was willing to share his own journey of faith in testimony.
Point: It is definitely clear that Nehemiah (as a leader) was a very motivating individual. But rather than focus on Nehemiah’s motivational techniques alone…our focus is on answering the question, “How will we respond to the challenge, “Rise up and Build”?
Question: What does vs. 18 say that the people did (right at the end of the verse) following Nehemiah’s challenge? Answer: They ‘set their hands to this good work’.
They didn’t wait on someone else to do the hard work for them. They took personal responsibility in response to the challenge of Nehemiah.
Closing Challenge: As your group closes this second session, the prayer for this time is that if we (individually) desire to know the Lord in a more intimate way in the weeks, months, year to come…challenge your group to realize that we go out in the promise of Nehemiah 2… “The God of Heaven will prosper us!”
As your group seeks to “REBUILD FAITH”…Nehemiah 2 closes with that promise. God will prosper our efforts at knowing Him more, being more committed to our faith, and to then begin witnessing the ramifications of a renewed faith on a daily basis!
