Discussion Questions
May 17, 2026 — Nehemiah 3:1-32
1. What particularly stood out to you from this sermon? Was anything significantly reassuring or challenging? What is your favorite verse from this passage? Why?
2. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Do you remember where you were when you heard about the attacks? How did you respond?
3. Why didn’t Nehemiah record his own name in this long list of those who worked on the project as recorded in chapter 3? What does this chapter clearly display about Judah’s governor?
4. How does the third chapter of Nehemiah give us a powerful picture of the OT church in action? What does this event suggest to us in the NT church?
5. In the church, why is every member supposed to be involved in ministry? Read Romans 12:6. How can you use your spiritual gifts to bless the other members of Bethel?
6. How did Nehemiah organize those who would carry out the work? Why was this a wise decision?
7. What was the real purpose behind rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls? What is the purpose of our lives as the children of God? How does 1 Corinthians 10:31 shape our understanding of this objective?
8. Why does Nehemiah start his chronicle of rebuilding at the Sheep Gate? What does the Bible teach us about what God desires from us?
9. Where is our hope found as Christians? How can we demonstrate to ourselves and our neighbors that this is our only hope?
10. Why should it be a priority in the covenant community that leaders set an example worthy of following? How might we do that more intentionally at Bethel?
11. Why does the Lord bring all different sorts of people together in the church? What gifts has the Lord given you to serve others? Why are Christians supposed to behave in this manner?
12. Spend some time praying for the needs of our family, friends, group members, and unsaved neighbors.
May 10, 2026 — Nehemiah 2:9-20
1. What particularly stood out to you from this sermon? Was anything significantly reassuring or challenging? What is your favorite verse from this passage? Why?
2. What are some things you are anxious about? How can we maintain a good balance between depending on the Lord and working out our salvation with fear and trembling?
3. Read Nehemiah 2:9-10. Why didn’t Nehemiah write about his journey to Jerusalem? Why was it a blessing for the new governor to be accompanied by “officers of the army and horsemen?”
4. Why should we exercise great care about venting our opinions about other people’s actions? Was either Ezra or Nehemiah wrong in taking the course of action they did while traveling to Judea?
5. What are some areas where we can arrive at different conclusions about similar issues in the church?
6. Read Nehemiah 2:11-16. Why did Nehemiah take three days before beginning his work? How are you doing honoring the Sabbath day? What changes would you need to make in your life to really rest on the Lord’s Day?
7. Why can’t we run headlong from one project to another all the time? Read Isaiah 40:31. What is God’s plan for His children as related in this verse?
8. If we are in Christ, can our salvation be lost? Why/why not? How can we tell if we are in Christ?
9. Read Nehemiah 2:17-20. Who would be the people rebuilding the walls? How did Nehemiah build rapport with these folks?
10. Nehemiah empathized with the needs of the people. Are you empathetic for those around us in Clover and York County who are living in poverty and/or shame? How might we exercise this ability more?
11. How did Nehemiah begin inspiring confidence in the people of Judah? What was the greatest need of the people? What happened when the new work began?
12. Spend some time praying for the needs of our family, friends, group members, and unsaved neighbors.