The message of Nehemiah is restoration. The book records how God moved Nehemiah to lead the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in approximately 446 BC. As the story unfolds, we see God restore godly leadership to Israel, restore the walls of Jerusalem, restore the broken faith of the people, restore a sense of community and heritage as God’s people, and restore the people’s knowledge of the God’s word and their desire to love and obey Him.
Resources: Nehemiah
01 Nehemiah 1:1-3 Introduction
The book of Nehemiah teaches much biblical leadership, community and serving the body of Christ. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 13, 2006.
02 Nehemiah 1:4-11 Between two worlds
Nehemiah is caught in the tension of two worlds: cup-bearer to the king and brother to the exiles. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 20, 2006.
03 Nehemiah 2:1-20 How to speak boldly
Nehemiah faces three moments where he must rely on the word of God and speak out boldly. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 27, 2006.
04 Nehemiah 3:1-4:23 Repair your broken wall
In chapter 3, the community is diverse and inclusive and begins serving God by working where God has already put them. In chapter 4 the community faces opposition, including their own internal voices of ridicule and shattered faith. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on October 4, 2006.
05 Nehemiah 5:1-6:19 Enemies within and without
In chapter 5 Nehemiah rebukes the wealthy for taking advantage of the poor and calls them back to fearing God. In chapter 6 Nehemiah’s enemies seek to kill him and he resists because he knows that God is fighting for him. The wall is finished. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on October 11, 2006.
06 Nehemiah 7:1-8:18 Restore the joy of the Lord
In chapter 7 the wall is finished. The city is safe, but not yet “alive” again. In chapter 8 the people long to know God so they ask Ezra the priest to teach them the Law. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on October 18, 2006.
07 Nehemiah 9:1-38 The Lord is faithful when we are not
The people acknowledge they are sinful like every generation before them. God is faithful, while they are faithless. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on October 25, 2006.
08 Nehemiah 10:1-11:36 Promises made
The people vow to keep God at the center of their lives as they move back into Jerusalem both by choice and by draft. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on November 1, 2006.
09 Nehemiah 12:1-47 Celebration
The people joyously dedicate the wall of Jerusalem with a parade of song and thanksgiving. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on November 8, 2006.
10 Nehemiah 13:1-31 Promises broken
Years later Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to find the people have broken their vows. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on November 15, 2006.
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