Series Theme: We Rise and Build as we Fall on our Knees and Pray

James 4:10

Big Idea: God WANTS to be the Hero in your story.

Overview of the Books of Ezra & Nehemiah:

Ezra 1-6 Ezra 7-10 Nehemiah 1-7 Nehemiah 8-13

Zerubbabel Ezra Nehemiah

Temple Torah/Law Walls Spiritual Renewal

King Cyrus King Artaxerxes King Artaxerxes

Nehemiah 1:1-11

It’s easy to make Nehemiah the hero

He should be commended

- He asks about His people

- He is not self-absorbed

- He leads the rebuilding of the Wall in 52 days

BUT REALLY God is the Hero

1. God can work through you

1 Samuel 16:7

God Uses the Available and Actionable

Colossians 3:17

2. God can work in and through your despair

Nehemiah 1:4

Prayer needs to be our Reflex Response

Our First Response - Not Our Last Resort

Nehemiah 1:6

Confession - “homologeo”

‘To speak’ & ‘The same’

Confession is agreeing with God

Zechariah 2:3-5

3. God can be trusted

Jeremiah 17:7-8

• To keep His promises

• To watch over His people

• To forgive a repentant and humble heart

RESPONSE

• Don’t Live in Despair

• Lean into God with all your Challenges

• Trust God to Guide You and Work through You

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's passage: 1 Kings 19:1-18; 1 Kings 18:4

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)