Martin Luther once said, “I’ve got so much work to do today, I’d better spend two hours in prayer instead of one.” Got tons of homework? Feel overwhelmed and rushed? Maybe the best way to get everything done is to stop and pray. Nehemiah was a man of action. He became governor of Judah and quickly got everyone to work building the walls of Jerusalem. But the first thing Nehemiah did “for some days” was to mourn and fast and pray (Nehemiah 1:4). If you’re going to get any job done well, you need God’s help. The time you take to pray before you act isn’t wasted. It’s the most important time of all.
Q: How long did it take to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem?
BONUS: Why could only half the men work at one time?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, “I am so ugly”? Or have you done something at school and later in the day thought, “I’m so useless”? Most people, both adults and teens, at times have trouble dealing with their self-image. Nehemiah had a strong, positive self-image. He wasn’t about to be frightened into doing something he knew was wrong. Wouldn’t it be great to have such a strong self-image that you would do what’s right no matter what? Nehemiah wasn’t born with a strong self-image. He developed it by making right choices. If you want a strong, positive self-image, you can build one the same way.
How would you describe a good time? What would you do? Think about it for a minute—what’s the most fun thing you can think of to do? Fun! Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you aren’t supposed to have fun. Sure there are some activities you shouldn’t participate in, but there are plenty of things you can do. Nehemiah told his people, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks.” Time to party! Have a good time and enjoy yourselves, for “this day is sacred to our LORD.” Don’t ever apologize for having a good time. God has given you life. Celebrate it, and enjoy God’s good gifts.
New Year’s resolutions are kind of a joke. Give up candy? Sure. Do your homework right away—all of it? You bet. Those resolutions may be broken by January 2! There’s another kind of resolution you’re more likely to keep. You make a bad mistake, and you say, “Boy, I won’t do that again.” You hurt a friend, and you say, “I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.” The mistakes made you feel bad, and you decided not to make them again. Nehemiah 10:28–39 lists seven resolutions the people of Judah made because of past mistakes. Now think of mistakes you’ve made. What personal resolutions will you make to avoid them in the future?
Q: How did the returning exiles decide who would live in Jerusalem?
BONUS: Why did they have to do this?
Nehemiah
Courage.
This book is about one man’s courage. Nehemiah was a high official in the Persian Empire. He was so upset when he heard of poverty and weakness in his homeland that he asked to be made governor of that tiny province. Nehemiah’s success reminds you that faith plus courage wins.