Hearing the Call of God

Hearing the Call of God
Nehemiah 1 & 2
Part 4 of a study of Nehemiah
Winter 2008
 
How did Nehemiah hear from God?
1.      Through God’s revealed purposes
•Already investing himself
–“Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had returned from exile.” (Nehemiah 1:2)       
 
How did Nehemiah hear from God?
2.      Through his circumstances
•A need was presented to him
•He took note of his unique position
•His proposal found a favorable response
             
How did Nehemiah hear from God?
3.      Through his emotions
•“During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, so the king said to me, ‘Why are you sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.’” (Nehemiah 2:1-2)
•Pay attention to your own holy discontent
 
How did Nehemiah hear from God?
4.      Through his strengths
•Nehemiah 2:5-8
•God has made you to see unique things
•Pay attention to what you notice & can envision unfolding…
             
How did Nehemiah hear from God?
5.      Through his community
•Proverbs 12:15 à A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
•Proverbs 15:22 à Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
             
God’s revealed purposes
•What things on the heart of God most stir your heart?
•Who is your favorite biblical character? Bible book? Verse?
•Who are your heroes? What is your favorite movie? Book?
•What is it about those things/people that captures your heart?
 
Circumstances
•When I look at current circumstances, I see great opportunity for ___________.
•Everywhere I turn, I seem to notice _____________.
•People all around me seem to be talking about ______________.
 
Emotions
•When ___________ happens, it makes me really sad/mad.
•What situation in your life is causing you the most anxiety?
•What do you find yourself looking forward to?
 
Strengths
•I see great opportunity for ___________ to happen. If we could ___________ then this could become a reality.
•I am really good at ___________. I think this strength can be offered by doing ____________.
 
Community
•I wonder what ___________ and _________ would think about my answers to these things.
•After this meeting, I am going to ask ___________ and ___________ to take a look at these things with me.