Notes based on 6:30 pm sermon series
4. Nehemiah 4:1-9 - Dealing with Opposition

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". How did that childhood taunt affect you? What teasing and name calling did actually get to you?

Read Psalm 121 together. Imagine you are on a long journey in an unfamiliar place. Thank God for his help to you on your journey through life and ask him to give you courage for the future.

Read chapter 4:1-9

1. Why do you think Sanballat increased his opposition?

2. He was joined by Tobiah in his ridicule of the Jewish people. Where do you find the greatest discouragement comes from in your Christian life and are you sometimes tempted to give up or draw back?

3. Why do you think that God allows opposition to sometimes grow even though we are doing his work?

4. Nehemiah responded with a prayer (read verses 4&5). What do you think of his prayer in the light of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-46? Read also Romans 12:17-21. Do you think that God is offended when we express our anger at people who abuse others?

5. Do you find the words of the hymn "What a friend we have in Jesus" challenging in that you find it hard to turn to God in prayer when you are "weak and heavy laden". The line "Oh what needless pain we bear" implies that sometimes we suffer needlessly through lack of faith and prayer. Is it that simple?

6. The people building the wall prayed but they did not stop working. Is it enough just to pray or do we have to be willing to work as well? Can we expect to succeed if really on sheer effort and innovation without spending time in prayer?

Pray that God will help you to respond to opposition in the right way. Pray that your commitment to God's will for you may speak to those around you and help them to want to know more. Pray for strength for Christians who are persecuted or for any in your group who are under particular trials at the present time, that their response will help to overcome evil with good.