Nehemiah 7 - Establishing the Community

WESTHILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

STUDY IN NEHEMIAH

CHAPTER 7 - ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY

1. Protecting the Community

• A Continuing need (6:1,15; 7:1).
Walls and gates were only a beginning (see Eph 6:13).

• Gatekeepers to keep out enemies (7:1,3).
The enemy is always seeking opportunities, especially at times of rest and relaxation (see 1 Pet 5:8,9).

• Guards to watch for attack from unexpected quarters (7:3).
Personal and communal responsibility (see Acts 20:30,31; 1 Cor 10:12).

2. Maintaining the Spiritual Life of the Community

• Singers (7:1,44).
To focus praise on God.

• Levites (7:1).
To facilitate worship of God.

• Leaders (7:2,7).
To follow people of vision, moral integrity, devotion to God.

3. Responsible Membership of the Community

• The membership list is the Lord's (7:5).
He knows His own by name (see John 10:3).

• Everyone participates in the rebuilding work (7:4,5,8-62).
Each family group has a part to play.

• Strict rules of membership (7:63-65).
Only birth guarantees inclusion (see Gal 3:16,26-29).

• Full commitment (7:70-72).
Useful possessions were counted. Freewill offerings were received (see Rom 12:1,5,6a).

• Total acceptance (7:73).
Each one settling in his/her own place, fellow-citizens in God's kingdom (see Eph 2:19,20).

Questions on Chapter 6

1. Satan wants us to feel inadequate, so that we will give up quickly. What is the difference between this and having a realistic appreciation of our own limitations?

2. What are the 'enemies' that Satan tries to persuade us are too strong for us? Pray for faith to overcome.

3. In what ways does Satan feed us untruths and half-truths in order to make us fearful and weak? Pray for wisdom to see through his schemes and boldness to overcome.

4. How can we be sure that a particular decision we make is God's will, and that we are not being misled by Satan into sin?