Broken in the right way

Things are not going well!

Read Nehemiah 1:1-4

What was Nehemiah's response to the news?

Walls meant prosperity, Walls meant safety.

Gates would keep bad things out and allow good things in.

His people were open to attack, His family was open for the enemy to take advantage of.

It’s the broken and damaged areas of our life that the enemy has his way in.

BRING IT HOME

What area/s of your life could you say right now is/are not going well?

Name a time when that area was good and strong.

What happened to cause that area to be broken?

Read Nehemiah 1:5-8

What caused the current condition of Jerusalem's walls?

As we see in this prayer of Nehemiah he accepts just as much responsibility as his ancestors even though he wasn’t even alive yet when the walls were destroyed. Why do you think he accepted the blame as well?

If someone breaks down our door and knocks it off the hinges then comes and steals all of our stuff who is to blame? If that door remains off its hinges for 13 yrs who is to blame?

How much of the blame do you need to own for the current broken ‘Wall/s?

CHANGE IT -Arise and rebuild

“Change Happens- When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change.”

How much pain does the enemy have to cause to you before you decide to do something about it. How many times are you going to put up with him just walking in doing whatever he wants unchecked?

The best way to feel the pain of staying the same is to understand the consequences of not changing. Its only when we truly grasp what will happen and what is happening that we actually rise up and rebuild the walls and gates of our life.

What are the consequences of leaving that area in ruins? List at least 2 things that will happen if this area doesn’t change?

Is this what you want to see in your life?

Do you believe God wants that for you?

As we read the rest of Nehemiah’s prayer what sticks out to you.

Finish Reading Nehemiah 1:8-11

What did Nehemiah remind God of in his Prayer?

Do you think God forgot his promise?

Read Jeremiah 29:10-14

What was the promise?

Even though God allowed his people to be scattered he had a promise to bring them back and give them a future. The story of Nehemiah is a fulfillment of this prophesy by Jeremiah. They had been in captivity for 70 yrs. that is a long time, how long have you been held captive by the enemy?

God has a promise for you, can you hold on to it?

Your table leader is about to give you a list of Gods promises we find in scripture. As you read them this week what promises can you claim over your life?

Let that promise motivate you arise and rebuild.

3 things to remember.

1. Let your heart be broken about the broken places in your life

2. Take responsibility for what you need to take responsibility for.

3. Remember the promises of God.