QUESTIONS

Can you share a time when there have been naysayers or critics as it relates to your Christian walk? Read Nehemiah 4 & 61) Nehemiah was building the walls around God's Holy City, Jerusalem. Walls are built to protect something. We, as Christians, build walls also. We've got to guard what's most valuable to us, our hearts and families.

a) What are some of the walls we, as Christians, may build? (a) I will not go to lunch with a woman alone. It's a wall I built to protect my purity and my marriage. (b) There are some movies we won't watch. Some people say that's prudish. (c) Limit TV shows. (d) Limit the type of music kids might listen to. (e) Home schooling. (f ) Christian schooling.

b) How does the world or worldly people react to these walls or hedges? (a) Criticize home schoolers. (b) Ridicule not seeing movies. (c) Make fun of kids that are pure. (d) Television shows ridicule dads. (e) Movies portray Christians as prudish, sti� necked ignorant people.

c) What did the Jewish people do when faced with ridicule, criticism etc. (4:4)? (a) Prayed. (b) Took it before God.

d) How did they respond after they prayed? And how should that encourage us? (a) Vs 6 - They worked with all their heart and half the wall was built. (b) If God is with us who can be against us. We should be invigorated. (c) We are on the winning team!

e) We need to understand that the enemy is relentless and this can be discouraging. Verses 10-12 show that the Jews were getting discouraged. Read Verse 14. What was Nehemiah's response and how is this relevant to Christians today? (a) Don't be afraid. (b) The Lord is Great. (c) Fight for your families! This should be a rally cry for Christians today against the culture we live in.

f ) Once we are aware of Satan's ploys, how should we react? (vs. 16-23) (a) Be on your guard. Satan prowls around like a roaring lion. (b) Put on Full armor of God. (c) Work with a sense of urgency. (d) Be prepared. If we are prepared an attack is ine�ective.

When God is moving, so is the enemy. There will always be naysayers, critics and accusers. The question is: will you allow them to take your eye o� the prize or will you hold steadfast to whatever vision God has given you?

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2) Nehemiah 6 we see the extent that his critics will go (including making things up).

a) What was Nehemiah's response and what can we learn from it? (a) Prayed. (b) Resisted temptation and lived a life above reproach (verse 11). (c) We can't control the lies people say about us. We can control the truth of our actions. (d) We need to live a life worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus.

NEXT STEPS / CHALLENGEEvaluate what walls you are building or have built to protect your heart and mind and that of your family. Talk about it with your accountability partner or spouse and Implement one to two this week.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS AND PRAYER TIMERead the following scriptures this week:Day 1 – 2 Tim 4:2Day 2 - 1 Peter 5:8Day 3 – Hebrews 4:29Day 4 – Hebrews 12:3Day 5 – John 16:33Day 6 – Proverbs 4:23 Day 7 – 1 Cor 16:13

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