One of the bigger obstacles in any reBUILDing project is Discouragement. If our enemy can get us to live in the self-pity of discouragement then we will fail in the effort to rebuild our lives, our families, and our communities.
Find courage to stand and fight discouragement as the Holy Spirit empowers you.
*note: The congregation was seated at tables and had time during this talk to discuss for themselves the passage we were studying.
Discouragement brings ______self-pity_______.
Self-Pity is _____unbelief_______ that fails to ______TRUST__________ God.
- ______Reasons______________ for discouragement | Nehemiah 4:1
- Discouragement often follows Victory
- Discouragement comes from a helpless enemy who cannot stop the will and work of God
TABLE TALK—P.L.S.
/ Share about how you know when you are getting angry.
/ Compare 2:10, 2:19, and 4:1 and discuss what is happening to
Sanballat and why.
- ______Rubric______________ of discouragement | Nehemiah 4:2
TABLE TALK—P.L.S.
/ Evaluate verse 2, discuss what characteristic is being questioned:
Q: What are the FEEBLE Jews doing? C: ____________________
Q: Will they restore it themselves? C: ____________________
Q: Will they sacrifice? C: ____________________
Q: Will they finish up today? C: ____________________
Q: Will they revive burned rubbish? C: ____________________
- ______Results______________ of discouragement | Nehemiah 4:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
TABLE TALK—P.L.S.
/ Analyze Nehemiah’s prayer together at your table.
/ Who is being despised?
/ What does Nehemiah want God to do about it? and why?
/ What would it look like if God turned your discouragement back on itself? How can a person cultivate a “mind to do the work?”
When faced by the devastation by our enemy we can say with confidence what Nehemiah told his enemies, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” – Nehemiah 2:20 (ESV)
This Week’s Bible Reading
| Nehemiah 4-6 | 1 John 4:1-21 | 1 Peter 4:12-19 | Psalm 145-150 |
Coming Up: reBUILD in the Face of:
Accusation (1/31) | Devastation (2/7) | Discouragement (2/14) |
Intimidation (2/21) | Greed (2/28) | Distraction (3/6) | Fear (3/13) |