Nehemiah

I have finally been able to come up with the initial title and outline for the Nehemiah  Bible Study series I will be leading in class next.   In reading through the book and various supplemental materials, the perspective we will be taking in this series is one of "Restoration".  The first 6 chapters on physical Restoration of the Wall, and the last 7 chapters on the spiritual Restoration of the People.

This follows closely with the Ezra series on Renewal; and we will even encounter many similarities between the two (e.g. rebuilding, facing opposition, dedication, confession of sin, purification, etc).   And just as we were able to apply the steps the Israelites went through in their Renewal process in Ezra; we will be able to apply the steps for the Restoration process.

In outer restoration, we need Prayer, Preparation, Rebuilding/Repairing; and to be able to face Opposition, deal with Problems, before we can Finish.  In inner Restoration, we need to account for all those involved, read God's Word, Confess sin and Worship God, Renew our Covenant, go back to His Promises, Dedicate our lives to God, and Reform and Purify our lives.

I pray that God will teach us through this series on Nehemiah; this man of prayer.  So much so, that he is jokingly called the shortest man in the Bible as a play on his name Knee-high-miah, because he is always on his knees.