1. Nehemiah Chapter 8 Standing Strong Face your Fears

2. Jake and the Alligator

3. Nehemiah – In Review • The 1st 7 chapters tell the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. • how to restore our defenses • how to rebuild the walls and the gates of our lives • how to close the gaps where the enemy has been getting at us • outward practice or inward attitudes that has been destructive and damaging • Chapters 8 to 13 focuses on transforming the community based on Biblical principles Reconstruction Reinstruction

4. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book • When has God’s Word particularly touched you or helped you in a powerful way? • Why do we need to understand the word in order to be effective? Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the wicked ….. but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Ps 1:2,3

5. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book Nehemiah 8:1-3 The People Gather to hear the Word of God • Who were assembled, where did they assemble and for what reason? How long did they listen? When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, “Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. Deut 31:24-26 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Jos 1:8

6. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book Nehemiah 8:4-8 The People Understanding the Word of God • Discuss the significance of each of the three outward responses to the Word of God being read: • "the people all stood up" • "the people lifted their hands“ • "they bowed down and worshiped the Lord” • What do you think is implied by verse 8, • "They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read"?

7. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book Nehemiah 8:9 - 12 The People Respond to the Word of God • How did the people respond? • Why did they respond that way? • What did Nehemiah instruct them to do? Why? Personal Questions: • Describe the a time when you have experienced conviction and/or grief from a truth you read in Scripture. • What keeps us from repenting when we should? Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,whogreatly delights in his commandments! • Psa112:1

8. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book Nehemiah 8:10 For the joy of the Lord is my strength • What does the phrase, "the joy of the Lord is your strength" mean? • What is the source of joy in each of the following cross references? (some translations may use "rejoicing" instead of "joy" with the same meaning) • Psalm 16:11 • Psalm 30:5 • Isaiah 12:2 & 3 • Jeremiah 15:16 • John 15:11

9. Nehemiah – Chapter 8, The People and the Book Nehemiah 8:13 – 18 Feast of the Booths (Tabernacles) Celebrated • On the 2nd day of the month, what did the people discover that was written in the Law? • How did the people respond to the Lord’s command? • How can we celebrate the impact of the Word on our lives

10. Conclusion • Listen to the Word • Learn the Word • Live the Word • Read and Listen to God’s Word • Corporate Worship • Study for meaning • Memorize content • Conviction • Repentance • Celebration • Praise and Prayer • Live your faith