Nehemiah - Part 2 Leader

NEHEMIAH – PART 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 3

LET’S ARISE AND BUILD TOGETHER

Leader’s Notes Learning Outcomes: Understanding, Attitude

FOCUS (10 mins) The day before the cell meeting, please send a sms to remind the members to read Sis. Lula Baird story from Grace AOG website. Ask them to write down any spiritual lessons they have leant when reading about her life. (eg. Hi, 4 tmr cell, pls read story of Sis. Lula Baird fm church website. Write down any spiritual lesson you hv learnt fm her life. Be ready to share yr insights.) What are some spiritual lessons from Lula Baird life:: Some suggestions: dedication to a cause, commitment to the people, trust in the Lord, faith to believe, faithfulness in her calling, “never say die” spirit, sacrifice, willingness to take hardship, faithfulness and providence of God, sensitive and obedience to God’s voice etc. Use this discussion to connect to the lesson as in the student’s notes. Read or get someone to read Neh 2:17-18. Tell the members that the people were of one heart and mind to build the wall. Tell them that Amos 3:3 says that we can walk together only if we agreed to do so.

Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: • Learn 3 requirements of what it will take for us to build our cell together. • Commit to be involved with one another in the cell.

Normally, I will read out the objectives to the members at the beginning of the lesson. This helps to give them a sense of where the lesson is going. I noticed that many of you do not do that. And some of you can get lost in the details to the point you dwell on the minor issues rather then the main objectives of the lesson. (Not saying you cannot deviate but watch your deviation). Reading the objectives help to keep the overall focus of the lesson in view.

We must agree to build the YA ministry and this cell together. What do we want to build together in the YA Ministry?

1)

A Community of Love Whereby everybody is accepted in the ministry, genuine love felt and genuine concern for each other. Atmosphere of warmth and friendliness with people reaching out to one another. o John 13:35 – action in love.

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2)

A Community of Faith Instill a sense of possibility in the life of the YA. The “can do” generation, a life of faith and trust in the Lord. Not waver in the face of adversity but able to stand firm o Matt 17:20 - faith as small as a mustard seed,….. Nothing will be impossible for you.

o 3)

A Community of Influence Men and woman of influence whereby God places us. Testimony for the Lord and people of character and integrity o 2 Cor 3:2 that we ourselves are the living epistles,

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4)

A Community of Power All of us will not only be Spirit filled people but Spirit led people who are endued with the power from on high. Understanding the leading of the HS in our lives and live continually in the sensitivity andexcerpt guidance The above box is an of my sermon on what we want to build together in the YA ministry. What is it that we want to build in our cell? (5 mins) You may briefly mentioned  go through some of the goals and objectives that members have them if you want, else it is ok talked about previously. In general, evaluate if the cell is now better to skip this box and concentrate than before. Take the opportunity to use this discussion to re- on what you want to build affirm some of the good things you are seeing in the cell and correct together with the members in your cell. some of the “not so good” things.

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L IMPORTANT NOTE: In these parts, there is no need to break up your cell into 3 groups since the questions are straight-forward, reflective or personal. Remember to keep time. Try using open question to the group.

There is no need to invoke response from everybody, else you will overrun your time. Learn to listen to their response, summarize and then ask a Leader’s Notes page 1 of 3

NEHEMIAH – PART 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 3

For Part II, III and IV – get the members to read the verses. Use the student’s notes to explain the verses. (self-explanatory)

PART II – Personal Involvement What caused Nehemiah to feel so strongly about the wall? Why does he want to get involved? Suggested answers: He is concerned about his father’s homeland. Teachings about the acts of God in Israel passed down to him. He kept that personal relationship with God alive even he is in exile. Why do you think the people choose to get involved? Suggested answers: Note the appeal Nehemiah give to the people. He did not appeal to the people needs for security or glory or sense of belonging but the name of God in disgrace.

closing question like: “anybody got anything to add, or any other thoughts” then move on.

Explain that Nehemiah did not have to get involved but he chose to. Explain that for Nehemiah, Personal Involvement means that he not only give his personal attention to the issue, but take personal ownership of the issue. That causes him to act.

Ask the member if they are really involved in each other life? They should know some family details, hobbies, struggles their friends faces, victories and happy moments etc. They should be some level of “unorganized activities” like hanging out together, call up and chat etc.

Part III – Enduring Commitment Some things Nehemiah had to give up or endure: 1. He took leave to be governor. He laid down the possibilities of future job expansion, his personal welfare etc 2. He went to organise the rebuilding, a thankless job, requiring great efforts on his part. 3. He endangered his life. 4. He put aside his own "personal agenda". Lessons from this episode of Nehemiah: - the importance of everyone in the task. - the people make personal sacrifice to accomplish the task for the common good. Some leave their family behind, others, stopped their businesses and normal life routine. - unity is strength. Will you commit to be involved in the cell? Challenge the people to be committed to the cell. If you want, you can draw up a cell covenant for the people to sign. A commitment contract with one another. (Or their buddy if you have a buddy system.) Practical implications of this commitment: - make attendance at cell meeting a priority, call one another, pray for one another, be accountable to one another, encourage one another etc.

Part IV – Unfaltering Trust Qualities in Nehemiah’s life that really inspires you: Man of prayer, trust in the Lord, integrity, steadfastness, faithful to the task, good motivator of people, great leaders, led by example, just, able to deal with adversities of all kind, accomplish his purposes etc. Why Nehemiah had such unfaltering trust? He is a man of prayer. He had such intimate and vibrant relationship with the Lord. He knows God well. Also, God lead him into more and more difficult situations. Each test/difficulties build on the previous experience of the faithfulness of God.

Explain that Nehemiah and the people have to make many sacrifices to get the task done. Explain that an enduring commitment means that you will not give up on the task in spite of difficulties. Once you are commitment to the cause, you would be willing to pay the costs. Cell Covenant: This is not compulsory. Gauge for yourself if you want to do this or not. Most people would baulk at the idea of a contract. However, if you use a little creative juice, you can make this into a fun activity. Eg, by phrasing the covenantal terms in funny things to do to each other etc.

Explain that Nehemiah showed unfaltering trust in the Lord in spite of difficulties. Explain that unfaltering trust means trusting God despite the circumstances no matter how bleak and totally reliant on God.

Leader’s Notes page 2 of 3

NEHEMIAH – PART 2

V.

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 3

Conclusion (5 mins)

Summarize the lesson and read the conclusion with the members. This is a time for you to challenge the members and re-emphasized the main points. Give them a sense that God can work through them as in Sis. Lula Baird. Ask them what kind of legacy they want to leave behind?

Leader’s Notes page 3 of 3