Saturday, November 2, 2013

Bible Study
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Reference:  Nehemiah 7

Topic:  “Sustainability”

The lesson aim is to show that the work must be completed by all those called to the “work of the ministry”.  More importantly, there must be a succession plan and a plan to sustain the work.  Thus, it is imperative that we grow people and raise financial support to “keep moving forward”.  The ministry of reconciliation opens the way for people to step into their god-given purpose. (Read II Corinthians 5:18-21) There are specific details we must understand about reconciliation that validates the purpose and resources provided for any work of God that we have been called to do. 

Sustain – to support, hold, or bear up from below; to keep a person, the mind, the spirits from giving way, as under trial or affliction; to keep up or keep going, as an action or process

Sustain – [kool] to keep in; hence, to measure; to maintain (I Kings 17:9)

Chapter 7 contains a plethora of solutions on how to address the issue of “moving forward”.  Nehemiah and the people have now completed the first phase of the project. But, Nehemiah realizes that there’s still work to be done.  Oftentimes we get caught up in the finished product and we forget to plan beyond the moment.  The work of the ministry has been given a final completion date. (Read Philippians 1:6) 

There are two major components that this reading plan describes that are the crowning jewels of God’s work:

·         Leadership (succession planning) – Read Nehemiah 7:2-3

What are the leadership roles identified in the text?

What specific instructions does Nehemiah give each of those appointed?


·         Stewardship (giving to a cause)  - Read Nehemiah 7:70-72

Who were the “chief of the fathers”?

What was their reason for giving?

To what work did they give? 



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