Discuss
Message Discussion Questions
From May 11, 2025
Getting Started
Has there been a time where either you, or someone else got upset when they saw others succeed? Describe what happened… How or why can success, change or even potential success play on our fears?
Quick Reactions from the message
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words and what point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
When you hear the invitation to “trust God,” what do you think of? What does “trust in God” look like? Feel like?
Questions from the Message
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words? What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
“Anytime God calls you to change, fix or re-build something that needs repair, you will face opposition.”
Take time to discuss and/or reflect on how you have seen this be true in your life, in a church, in your work, spiritual life or family?
If you could speak to your younger self, what would you tell him or her about facing opposition when you needed to change or fix something in your life that God was calling you to change? How have you learned to do this well in your life, or is it still a struggle?
In Nehemiah 4, Dave said there were three things we are to expect when trying to change, fix, or re- build when things that are in disrepair. (Expect criticism, anger, and that God will ask you to become part of the solution).
- Which of these are most difficult for you to face?
- How does unfounded criticism (as opposed to constructive criticism) undermine your confidence and challenge your insecurities when it comes to fixing what needs fixing?
- How is change, fixing what needs fixing in a church family difficult? What ought good leaders do for us?
- Why are both prayer and planning essential for us when God calls us to repair what is broken?
- What is surprising about Nehemiah’s prayer?
- What do Nehemiah’s opponents hope to accomplish with their criticism, threats and anger?
- What does Nehemiah do to call the people to focus on what is most important? What can we learn from this?
- How do complaints, anger from others throw you off track on God’s mission and purposes? What can you do to stay focused on what God is calling you and His church to do?
- In what way is confusion the enemy of doing what God calls all of us to?
Explore the Passage (Nehemiah 4)
(Yes, these questions can seem silly, however, good discussion and interpretation of the Bible begins with having a proper understanding of the basic facts; who, what, when, and where in the text.) Work through this quickly, the answers are fairly obvious.
Why did Sanballat become angry with the Jews? (4:1)
How did Sanballat treat the Jews? (4:1-2)
What did Sanballat and Tobiah do to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the city walls? (4:1-3)
What role did Nehemiah play in these events? (4:1-23)
How did Nehemiah respond to the taunts of his enemies? (4:4-5)
According to Nehemiah, why were the Jews so successful in their work? (4:6)
In what specific ways did Nehemiah and the Israelites show commitment to this project? (4:6-23)
What did Israel’s enemies do when they heard of Israel’s success in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls? (4:7-8)
How did Nehemiah and the Jews respond to the evil plotting of their enemies? (4:9)
What did Nehemiah do to encourage the Israelites and protect them from their enemies? (4:10-14)
How did Nehemiah describe the people of Israel in his prayer? (1:10)
What specific request did Nehemiah ask God to grant him? (1:11)
How were the Jews able to return to their work of rebuilding the city walls? (4:15)
Who frustrated the plotting of Israel’s enemies? (4:15)
What sacrifices did the people have to make because of the threats of their enemies? (4:16-18)
Questions that help us understand the significance of the text
What do you admire about the Israelites in this incident?
To what area of life today do Nehemiah’s words speak?
What kinds of events, opposition, or setbacks most discourage you?
How does God want us to deal with discouragement?
How should we respond to negative events or criticism from others?
When have you ever felt opposition from other people when you have done what you thought was right?
What practical steps could you take the next time you feel opposition from others for doing what is right?
To what do you need to renew, rebuild, change your commitment and priorites?
Apply the Passage
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From May 4, 2025
Getting Started
What did you already know about the book of Nehemiah? Did you gain any new knowledge about it this week?
Have you participated in any major building projects? If so, when? What do you remember about it?
Quick Reactions
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words and what point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
When you hear the invitation to “trust God,” what do you think of? What does “trust in God” look like? Feel like?
Questions from the Message
Which verse stuck out most to you? Why?
Have you had a time where you felt overwhelmed with fear (or another emotion) but felt like obedience to God meant moving through it? If you don’t mind, please share it.
In what way can we actively “prepare the horse for battle, but entrust victory to the Lord?”
Have you ever seen a time when God moved in a miraculous way? In a way in which there was no other explanation but the providence of God? If you feel comfortable, please share.
What do you think of the quote by Eugene Peterson: “The church you want becomes enemy of the church you have?” In what ways? Have you ever seen this happen at church – or elsewhere? Family, school, life, etc.?
Explore the Passages (Nehemiah 2 & 3)
What stuck out to you about Nehemiah’s story in chapter 2?
Why do you think Nehemiah 3 begins with the High Priest and his work on the wall? Is it significant that the lead religious leader might be involved in the manual labor?
See the variety of the workers’ jobs in Chapter 3, verses 1, 8, 9, 12, 17, 25, and 32. Has the Lord ever called you to do something out of obedience (and willingness!) and not out of your gifting or skill?
Apply the Passage
In light of Westwood’s vision, what does “transformational relationships” mean to you? How do you know when you have found one?
What does “significant empowerment” mean to you? How about “engagement in the community?”
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From April 27, 2025
Getting Started
What is your initial/gut reaction to bad news? Why?
Why is change difficult for us, especially when it involves something within us?
If you were going through a difficult time, what would you want others to do for you? Why?
Quick Reactions from the Message
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What is significant about Nehemiah not being a prophet, priest or king?
Dave gave us 3 steps to re-build what needs fixing from Nehemiah 1…
- You will never re-build what you won’t acknowledge needs fixing. How can denial be our biggest downfall or biggest enemy to change?
In what way is it difficult to face the things that God is asking us to change? How does Nehemiah deal with bad news? - Re-building starts with compassion, not courage
What was Nehemiah’s reaction to bad news?
In what way can we overlook how compassion moves us to re-build or change what needs fixing in our lives or in the places we live? (home, work, church)
In what area of your life have you grown callous and need God’s compassion?
READ Mark 6:34; Matthew 9:36 and John 10:35 – what moved Jesus to compassion? How does this inform us? - Change Begins in Prayer
How did Nehemiah pray? What can we learn about his prayer that could help us pray for change or re-build what needs fixing rather than just complaining about what needs fixing?
How have you seen prayer change you?
Explore the Passage (Nehemiah 1:1-11)
(Yes, these questions can seem silly, however, good discussion and interpretation of the Bible begins with having a proper understanding of the basic facts; who, what, when, and where in the text.) Work through this quickly, the answers are fairly obvious.
When did the events of this passage take place? (1:1)
Why did Nehemiah question his brother? (1:1-2)
What report did Hanani and his men give to Nehemiah? (1:3)
How did Nehemiah react to the news about Jerusalem and the exiles? (1:4)
How did Nehemiah describe God in his prayer? (1:5)
According to Nehemiah, with whom does God keep His covenant of love? (1:5)
What made Nehemiah more aware of his own sinfulness? (1:5-6)
What is the major theme of Nehemiah’s prayer? (1:5-11)
On whose behalf did Nehemiah pray and fast? (1:6)
Of what sins were the Israelites guilty? (1:7)
What instruction did the Lord give to Moses? (1:8)
What promise of the Lord could the Israelites claim, according to Nehemiah? (1:9)
How did Nehemiah describe the people of Israel in his prayer? (1:10)
What specific request did Nehemiah ask God to grant him? (1:11)
Questions that help us understand the signficance of the text
What admirable traits do you see demonstrated by Nehemiah?
What did Nehemiah’s prayer accomplish?
What are the benefits of focusing on the attributes of God?
What role does prayer play in your life?
How do you think you need to change your prayer habits?
Why does God want Christians to pray?
In what circumstances do you think it would be wise to fast and pray?
What can we learn from Nehemiah’s example about how to deal with despair?
With what disappointment or challenge are you struggling?
In light of this story, how can we overcome the problems we face?
Apply the Passage
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in these passages?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From April 13, 2025