A story about rebuilding

For context: Read 2 Chronicles 36:15-23 [exile and a chance to return.]

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:10

To focus on expectations and hope:

The exiles who returned must have known the condition of the city they were returning to. Nehemiah’s response to the news that he receives suggest that the people had high hopes that the return to Jerusalem would be met with blessing and progress, not trouble and disgrace.

• What circumstances do we tend to have high expectations for – in terms of solving or fixing our struggles or negative emotions? [“when I am … I will be happy/ satisfied/ secure”]
• What happens when we cannot enter into those circumstances, or when we do find ourselves there, and our struggles remain?
• Does this suggest that we should lower our expectations or give up on hope? If not, what might it mean?

To focus on authenticity:

Nehemiah appears to be a deeply emotional person, but in v.2:1 it appears that he has never revealed this part of his nature to the king, even though cupbearer to a king would be a highly trusted role.

• How might choosing to reveal one’s authentic self change the relationships we have with others? How does it help us? How might it impact them? What are the risks?
• Which tends to come first; trusting relationship, or honest sharing of our self? Or it is more chicken and egg?
• What things cause us to be reluctant to share our struggles, questions, or dreams? Who are the people in your life that you share these with?

To focus on stepping out to meet a need:

We don’t know much about Nehemiah’s family other than they come from Jerusalem. He probably isn’t from the royal family, and he doesn’t seem to have any qualifications that suggest he is a leader, architect, builder or general. He serves wine to the king. However, he follows his emotional response to a need, and ends up doing a little of each of these things.

• What situations are out there (in our city?) that you think ‘someone needs to do something about this’?
• What might you do to step into having some sort of impact in that area?
• What ways do you think about yourself that stop you from stepping in?
• Who can you tell about these things who will keep you accountable to doing something about it?

Pray for one another that we can be strong in hope when things are challenging, that we can be and offer ourselves, and that we can take courage to step out to meet needs.