The Book of Nehemiah:
Rebuilders

Ruins Can Be Rebuilt — Ness Wilson
Nehemiah 1

How do we keep praying into the same thing every day? How do we worship through times of pain, loss and exhaustion? What is broken in our lives and needs rebuilding? Ness Wilson dwells on the significance of broken walls. Nehemiah felt deep sorrow over what was broken, and so committed to bringing his sadness before God in prayer. There is a need for us to grieve the things we have lost, naming them one by one. Ness Wilson highlights some tools and ideas to help us keep praying when things seem broken.

Favour And Planning — Rich Wilson
Nehemiah 2

How can I pray when I’m filled with sorrow? How can I go from prayer to action? What does it mean to assess the rubble of my life? This is a time to pray, plan and lead. Rich Wilson speaks on Nehemiah 2, where Nehemiah, feeling broken with sorrow and terribly afraid, turns to God in prayer, makes a plan and then takes a lead. We are called to talk to God about what burdens our hearts, and to move forward with His help.

Working Together — Rich Cave
Nehemiah 3

What is your part to play in rebuilding society? How can you ensure you are a contributor to a cause and never a consumer of a product? In the Book of Nehemiah, goldsmiths and perfumers are among those working side by side to rebuild the broken city of Jerusalem. Looking at Nehemiah 3, Rich Cave shares on how everybody has a part to play in the great rebuilding project. Although the scale of the need around us can be overwhelming, it is far less overwhelming when everyone plays their part.

The Trowel And The Sword — Mark Greene
Nehemiah 4

What are we building? What are we opposing? How does our God fight for us?When we bring Kingdom values into our frontlines, we might face opposition, accusation or intimidation. Mark Greene unpacks Nehemiah’s declaration that; “our God will fight for us”. What does it look like to use our tools of work and our weapons of spiritual warfare?

Build Back Better — Joe McSharry
Nehemiah 5

What aspects of ourselves and society do we want to build back better? Will I approach my post-covid life differently to my pre-covid life? In a post-Covid-19 era we get to address the things that weren’t right before. We get to rebuild our lives, our society, and our church with greater racial justice, greater environmental care, greater relational health. During Covid-19, relationships have been under strain and division has been rife. Joe McSharry unpacks Nehemiah 5 to help us understand how we can repair, restore and reconnect.

Rebuilding With Resistance — Pete Hughes
Nehemiah 6

How do I face spiritual opposition? What does it mean to be an activist in prayer? Why is God’s kingdom contested? We are in a battle, a spiritual war, and we need the right tools to fight. Nothing of the Kingdom of God goes uncontested, and when God moves we can expect opposition. Pete Hughes shares on Nehemiah 6, looking at how we can face enemy strategies of intimidation and accusation.

Rebuilding With Joy — Anita Williams
Nehemiah 8

How do we start a new chapter well? How does God respond when we say sorry? What does it mean ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’? A new chapter has begun for the people of Israel, and they begin by reading scripture. This results in revelation, repentance, and then celebration. Anita Williams unpacks Nehemiah 8 exploring the joy and strength that reading God's word brings as we get revelation and downloads from heaven that both lighten and enlighten us.

Confession And Commitment — Rachel Radbourne
Nehemiah 9

How do our lives fit into the big picture? What can happen when we worship? How do we stay reminded of what God is like? When we remember all God has done, we are reminded of the big picture. We are reminded that our lives are part of a bigger story. Rachel Radbourne, looking at Nehemiah chapter 9, explains how honest relationships need both confession and commitment. The same goes for our relationship with God.

All In — Luc Sadler
Nehemiah 10

What happens when I go all in for Jesus? Does God want a say in all my decisions? How can I put God first? A whole nation commits to follow and obey God. Every aspect of life in ancient Israel is affected. Nehemiah 10 tells of a people who decide to go all in. Luc Sadler unpacks what it can mean if we go all in with Jesus.

Inhabiting The Land — John Houghton
Nehemiah 11

What does it look like for me to celebrate the end of lockdown? How can I dedicate my next life season to God? How can I saturate where I live with worship? The struggle is over, the new season has come. In Nehemiah chapter 11 the Israelites begin to resettle in their land. A new normal begins. What can we learn from the Israelites about dedicating a new chapter to God as we leave a season of struggle and enter our new normal?