Nehemiah: Rise & Build 8 - Countering Conformity pt. 2

Evergreen Christian Community

Nehemiah 13:6-9

Nehemiah 13:15-22

Context

- The thirty-second year of Artaxerxes would have been around 433 BC and this is when Nehemiah returned to Persia and was there for some time before he requested he visit Jerusalem. His return visit was around 430 or 429 BC, and he tells us what he found in Jerusalem (vv 6-7).

- Tobiah and Eliashib were somehow connected (perhaps related through a marriage). Tobiah was fiercely against the work of the wall (Neh 2:10).

- Nehemiah reminded everyone the definition of not working included:

• treading wine

• loading

• transporting

• selling grain, grapes, or figs

• buying goods from foreigners.

Big idea last week: We find freedom from conformity through our surrender to transformation.

Big Idea: Surrender to transformation begins with divesting from the things that entangle us and resting in God.

1. Divest from the things that entangle you

Hebrews 12:1-2

2. Rest in God

Psalm 91:1

Psalm 37:7

Matthew 11:28-30

Response:

• Clear out the things in your life that hinder you from fully surrendering to Jesus and becoming more like Him.

• Find time daily to rest and spend time with God.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's passages: Psalm 2

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)