If You Will Pray Lesson 3

Home Study Questions

Laying the Foundation for Action

Nehemiah 2:11-20
Nehemiah carefully assesses the damage to the walls of Jerusalem in order to present the
people with a plan for rebuilding them. Similarly, you will look at your community in
a way that will help you lay the foundation for future action in establishing a CBS class.
Gods Word promises He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go and
counsel you and watch over you (Psalm 32:8).

Days One and Two

Write Gods Word for the week: Nehemiah 2:20a.
I answered them by saying, The God of heaven will give us success.

Nehemiah 2:11-12What God Put in Nehemiahs Heart to Do

1. a. What details does Nehemiah give about his survey party?

b. Why do you think he goes out during the night (2:12)?

2. For further study:

a. Read Numbers 13:1-3, 17-20. What similar strategy did the Lord instruct Moses to use in the
approach to Canaan?

b. Read Numbers 13:2614:23, 31-45. What was the peoples response to the spies report, and
what was the outcome?

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IF YOU WILL PRAY LESSON 3

HOME STUDY QUESTIONS

Day Three
Write Gods Word for the week: Nehemiah 2:20a.

Nehemiah 2:13-15Nehemiahs Realistic Assessment

3. a. What does Nehemiah discover on his tour of the citys walls?

b. What possible advantage does Nehemiah gain by assessing the damage before publicly
announcing his mission?

Day Four
Write Gods Word for the week: Nehemiah 2:20a.

Nehemiah 2:16-20Motivating the Workers

4. How does Nehemiah motivate the people to rebuild the walls?

5. Can you recall any instances when you used the same principle to motivate someone or someone
used this principle to motivate you?

6. a. What is Nehemiahs answer to his enemies attempt to intimidate him?

b. How does this principle apply to your situation in beginning a new CBS group?

HOME STUDY QUESTIONS

IF YOU WILL PRAY LESSON 3

13

Day Five
Write Gods Word for the week: Nehemiah 2:20a.

Review Nehemiah 2:11-20Applying the Principles

7. Assess the resources and challenges of your local community. Resources might include.
a positive attitude toward the Bible
a cooperative spirit among denominations
people with leadership gifts and abilities
Challenges might include:
a general lack of interest
a strong denominational mindset
peoples hesitancy to volunteer for leadership
a. What are our resources?

b. What are our challenges?

Prayer and Planning

Use the following topics to guide your group prayer time:
Take time to praise God for His love and desire to see all people develop a personal relationship
with Him.
Thank God for those in your local communities who serve Him. Thank Him for the diversity you
have discovered in your community and for the provisions He has already made for your class.
Confess to God any preconceived negative attitudes you may have toward other Christians from
different denominations or traditions. Ask God to place His love for them in your heart.
Talk to God about the challenges you found in question 7b. Ask Him to overcome them (see 2
Corinthians 12:9).
Ask God for wisdom in laying a foundation for action and unity in a new class.

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IF YOU WILL PRAY LESSON 3

COMMENTARY

Laying the Foundation for Action

Nehemiah 2:11-20
After surveying the damage to the walls in Jerusalem, Nehemiah has a better idea of the
huge challenge rebuilding them will be. To achieve this goal, everyone must put aside
any differences and work together. Nehemiah invites the returned exiles: Come, let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace (2:17b). Accomplishing
the task will take individual and group commitment. Although enemies will try to
discourage them and hinder the work, Nehemiah is confident the God of Heaven will
give [them] success (2:20a).
One of the special features of a Community Bible Study class is that it is a reflection of
your own local community. Classes are made up of people of different ages, economic
backgrounds, cultures, and denominations.
The foundation for unity in a class is to agree to disagree agreeably on the nonessentials of the Christian faith. It is important to intentionally show respect for our differences right from the beginning. We do this in various ways:
Avoid promoting your own denomination, church, literature, or outside events.
Do your best to leave your denominational beliefs and doctrines at the door, so that
you can build a community at CBS where anyone can feel comfortable and welcome
studying Gods Word together.
One of the most challenging areas in the church today is the handling of the charismata (gifts of the Holy Spirit). Within the body of Christ are differing practices and
beliefs about these gifts. Because we want every person who comes to a CBS class
to be comfortable, we ask our leaders who have the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and
healing through the laying on of hands to set aside using them in any CBS context.

2010 Community Bible Study