Nehemiah 9 Questions and Answers: God's loving kindness and Confession of Sin
1 Introduction: Have you ever been part of a day of prayer and fasting? Was there a theme for the day? Was there any particular scripture that was particularly meaningful?
Would you be interested in participating in one?
2 The previous chapter talked about celebrating - what is the theme of this chapter?
This chapter is on repentance and greatness of God.
3 Why did the Israelites fast and wear sackcloth and have dust on their heads? When is the last time you fasted?
They fasted to confess their sins and worship God and read God's Word
(Where did the Israelites get the sackcloth and why were they all dressing the same way? Is there an equivalent in our society?)
Sackcloth was a sign of repentance and mourning.
4 How did they start the day?
The started the day by separating themselves from the strangers and confessing their sins.
5 What wickedness of their fathers were they confessing? Why confess the sins of our parents? Nehemiah 10:30ff
To remove the ground that was given to Satan by our parents that sowed the seeds of sin in our lives.
If parents lie, children don't see lying as that big a sin.
6 What did they do for the first quarter of the day ( 3 - 4 hours)?
Read the book of the law
7 What did they do in the next quarter of the day?
Confessed their sins
8 What was their worship like? What did they do at the end of their worship?
Gratefulness to God, Blessing God
Make a covenant with God to obey His law
9 If we were to draw up a modern day worship prayer like that of the Levities what would it look like? Do you know the history of God's provision to "your people".
I would include blessing, confession, being thankful to God for the direction in our lives, recognizing our failures, being grateful for his steadfastness
Glory, God's name is above everything else,
Creator,
keeps His promise,
is righteous,
listens to our cry,
caring God,
miraculous God,
all knowing God,
protector,
made a way of escape,
gives guidance,
revealed His laws,
provides food and water,
does not abandon people,
forgives,
merciful,
compassionate,
slow to get angry,
unfailing in His loyal love,
instructs through God's Spirit,
sustains people,
concerned about our physical well-being (No swelling feet & shoes didn't wear out,
conquers enemies,
good,
hear us when we call in distress,
delivered them to their adversaries when they rebelled and delivered them from their adversaries when they called to him,
admonishes,
kind,
great,
powerful,
awesome,
covenant keeper,
faithful,
lavished goodness on them
11 When did the Israelites have problems with disobedience? What can that teach us for today? Vs 25, 28
They became disobedient when they were prospering and at rest.
12 What was God like when the Israelites disobeyed His Law? Was He vindictive right away?
God allowed their enemies to conquer them, slow to anger, prolonged His kindness.
13 Why did the Israelites wander from the gracious and loving God? Does this still happen today? What needs to happen for this to change?
The Israelites became proud, conceited, lazy in their relationship to God, did what was right in their own eyes, failed to acknowledge God's provision for them.
Today also people think they don't need God and are trying to get rid of Him in public life.
We need a revival, Christian living out their commitment, for the Israelites it took oppression to turn them back to God.
14 How does God bless us? What happens when we forget God's goodness to us? How do people go their own way today?
15 What kind of "binding agreement" covenant with God do you think we should draw up and sign?
I want to read Scripture daily, pray for other men in the church, disciple someone, find accountability partner, keep Sabbath day holy, obey God's laws
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