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Nehemiah Week Seven Chapter 8

***Discussion Questions

Chapter 8 of Nehemiah is one of the most exciting chapters in all of Scripture! As Gods people completed the wall, they came together to have one of the largest Bible Studies on record. Imagine standing for at least six hours to hear the teaching of Gods Word! These people were hungry for His Truth. What an amazing thought! May we hunger and thirst for Gods Word like those who have gone before us.

Day One:
The last verse of chapter 7 indicates that the people were settled. They were dwelling in their homes. Once they had accomplished the task God set before them, they turned their hearts to worship. Lets read chapter 8:1-6. 1) The people stood together, unified, in the Open Square, just in front of the Water Gate. What did they ask Ezra to do? What was special about this particular day? (Leviticus 23:24)

2) Ezra, the priest, brought Gods Word, the Book of the Law of Moses and began to read. Describe the scene.

Who was there?

3) Verse 3 says the people were attentive, and they listened from morning until midday. Thats at least six hours! What do you think compelled them to stay and carefully listen for so long?

4) Nehemiah gives more detail about the day in verses 4-6. Ezra and the men standing with him (probably priests) were elevated so the people could hear. Everyone not only stayed and listened for six hours, but verse 5 says they s____________ and listened for six hours! Can you imagine that? What if we stood for our entire church service? (And generally, thats just a little over an hour!)

How did the people respond when Ezra opened with a blessing of the Lord? (v. 6)

Day One: (continued)

5) What is your deep heart response to Gods Word? Do you spend enough time seeking to hear, read, understand and know it? Would you like to spend more time in it? Take a look at Psalm 119. Choose one or two verses from this amazing chapter about Gods Word to memorize and apply to your approach of the Word. Ask the Lord to help you be attentive to His Word today.

Day Two:
Todays reading passage is one of the most thrilling passages in the whole book of Nehemiah! I cant wait to dive in as we read verses 7-12. 1) Verses 7-8 show us that the people were involved in actual Bible study! Everyone stood and listened while the men (Levites) explained the meaning of the text. How important is it that the people focused solely on the text? (v. 8)

2) All good Bible study should be focused on Gods Word, should break down the text and should help us understand it. There is a multitude of wonderful studies and study tools, as well as teachings and sermons available to us. How do we know which ones to listen to and follow? (Take a look at Acts 17:10-13)

3) Verse 9 describes the strong reaction the people had when they understood the reading of the Law. What came over them? Why? (See Romans 3:20)

4) ***Nehemiah gave the people instructions to rejoice. They were at a point of renewal, a fresh start. Although God had punished the nation for their sinfulness, He led them in the way of repentance and opened the door for true joy in forgiveness and obedience. Warren Wiersbe explains, Nehemiah convinced the people to stop mourning and start celebrating. It is as wrong to mourn when God has forgiven us as it is to rejoice when sin has conquered us (p. 113). How have you found the joy of the Lord to be your strength?

Day Two: (continued)

5) Understanding the Truth of Gods Word brings joy. Obedience to His Truth brings real happiness. The people left their Bible Study to have a celebration feast sharing with each other and rejoicing because they understood Gods Word. They were more excited about Gods Truth than a home game win of the World Series! Does the study and understanding of Gods Word bring you that kind of joy?

Lets go back to Psalm 119 and read through verses 97-104. Take time today to pray through these verses and ask God to give you the same heart attitude the Psalmist had about His Word.

Day Three:
Today we will walk through verses that recount the people wholeheartedly practicing the Feast of Tabernacles. Well explore more of the history and significance of the seven day feast tomorrow. For now, lets get an overview of what the celebration was like. Read Nehemiah 8:13-16. 1) Ezra and Nehemiah extended their Bible study to the following day. Who came to learn more about Gods Word?

2) What did they discover in the Law? (v. 14)

3) It is encouraging when we discover and understand a directive from the Bible. With discovery comes conviction from the Holy Spirit. With conviction comes responsibility. As the people learned the details of Gods command, they set their hearts to complete obedience. What do you think it was like for the people: men, women and children, as they went out to gather materials and began making the booths?

How were they practicing James 1:22?

Day Three: (continued)

4) James 1:23-25 explains how following Gods Word brings blessing. Verse 25 specifically says, But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. Lets break this verse down to grasp the meaning: looks bend beside, lean over (so as to peer within) stoop down continues stay near, remain, tarry, abide doer- execute, (band together) performer blessed supremely blessed, fortunate, well-off, happy Consider where you are today. Have you learned something from Gods Word that you know you need to be doing? Why not look into His Word for exactly how you should continue (live in it). Then, follow through and be happy (blessed) in what He has directed you to do?

5) As the people followed through on Gods directions, they left us an example to practice. Any time you look into Gods Word and conviction, along with direction, comes as a leading from the Holy Spirit, follow Him. Start today by writing down one thing God has shown you in your study this week. Write down the first step in following His direction. Then, get up and follow through! Ill be praying for you!

Day Four:
Today well do a little exploring. We need to go back to the establishment of the Feast of Tabernacles to help us understand the significance of all the people did in Nehemiah 8. 1) Lets start in Leviticus 23:33-44. This passage details Gods requirements for the Feast of Tabernacles. How long was the Feast to last? What were the people supposed to do during the seven days? What about the Sabbath rest? Why were Gods people to celebrate this way? (v. 43)

Day Four: (continued)

2) Leviticus 23 outlines the 7 different feasts God proclaimed for His people. Each one had very specific and special meaning. Take a look back through the chapter and choose one of the six other feasts to describe here: 3) Deuteronomy 16:13-16 directs the people in how to approach the Feast of Tabernacles (also called the Feast of Ingathering and the Feast of Booths). According to verse 14, God instructed His children to conduct the Feast with:

Rejoicing and celebration

OR

Somberness and quiet

4) *** Leviticus 23:43 explains that the people were to celebrate this feast in memory of all God did to rescue them. Deuteronomy 16:15 gives an additional reason to celebrate. What is it and how do both reasons fit with the lives of the people in Nehemiah 8?

5) Think about all God has done in your own life and all He has allowed you to do. Write down a few of your thoughts, memories and blessings from Him here:

Why not set aside a time to rejoice in these memories/blessings from God in your life? What will you do to celebrate His goodness?

Day Five:
Today, well finish chapter 8 and leave the celebration of the people. My prayer is that we all will continue to celebrate Gods goodness in our hearts each day. Read Nehemiah 8:17-18. 1) Verse 17 indicates that this type of celebration had not taken place since Joshuas day long ago. The Jews had kept the Feast of Tabernacles; but not since Joshuas day had they done so with such unity, joy and rejoicing in their hearts. It was as if the previous just went through the motions. However, a similar revival-like celebration took place during King Hezekiahs time as the people practiced the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Lets read 2 Chronicles 30:21-27. How was this celebration similar to the joyful one in Nehemiah 8?

Day Five: (continued)

2) God is good all the timeAll the time, God is good. His Word is good. It is the only absolute Truth we have. Nehemiah 8:18 paints a picture of a people who could not get enough of Gods Word. They listened to Ezra read the Book of the Law of God every day, which was more than was required. Why do you think the people wanted to hear it every day?

3)

Much of the joy experienced by Gods people came from Gods equipping them to accomplish the huge task of building Jerusalems wall. While building necessary walls certainly brings joy, so does the tearing down of harmful walls. Nehemiah 8:9 shows a people whose walls of sin were crumbling under the great wrecking ball of Gods Word. Thankfully, when God breaks down sinful walls, He also does the work of clearing away the rubble so that we may stand whole, clean and free to rejoice in His presence. Paul teaches this process in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Copy those verses here and underline the phrase(s) that you claim concerning harmful walls around sin in your own life:

4)

God allowed the people to experience both individual and group effort in rebuilding the walls. He also allowed them to experience individual and national repentance. In the last two verses of chapter 8 we see them experiencing individual and collective rejoicing. Were reminded of the importance of collective worship. Hebrews 10:24-25 is a command for all Christians to obey. How important is collective worship (with your family and church Body) to you?

5)

The end of Nehemiah 8:18 says, according to the prescribed manner. Can you imagine what it would be like for Gods people to be completely unified in obedience to His Word? Wow! What joy it would bring! Lets end our study this week with prayer for God to send revival to His people, and that we would individually and collectively respond with great joy in obedience to His Word! (2 Chronicles 7:14)