Nehemiah: Pioneer.
Week #5
Opening Reflections.
Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
‘What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God…’
Nehemiah 5:9
Read Nehemiah 4.
1. Previously Nehemiah had faced opposition from obvious external enemies; now the trouble is more insidious. Food shortages had triggered an economic crisis, which wealthy and powerful members of his own community had exploited in order to line their own pockets by buying up land and forcing the poor into ever deepening debt. Some had even sold their children into slavery. This made Nehemiah very angry. He gave it some thought, and took action. But he also persisted in a practice of generosity.
Sammy Greig says, we should listen to our emotions as helpful passengers, but don’t let them be the driver of the car! Should we always listen to our anger? When can anger be a positive and useful emotion?
What kinds of social injustice make you angry?
Have you thought about a way of responding – channelling your emotional passion in a positive way?
How has it led to action?
2. There are around 2,000 verses in the Bible which deal with responding to the needs of the poor. Today, the West is dominated by financial capitalism, and a neoliberal ideology which justifies pervasive debt. As Bruce Rogers-Vaughn observes, “Debt has become so foundational that it is transforming not only the economy but also culture, relationships and [the way we experience everything].”
What can we do to resist a culture of debt? How do you ‘pick a fight with injustice’?
Ask someone to read James 2:14-18 to the group.
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
3. In the light of this…
What practical ways can we work to honour God’s heart for the poor in our communities?
How should this affect the way we think about money?
Closing Reflections.
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion?
What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
