Surrey Chapel Fellowship Groups 25th/26th February 2015
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Nehemiah 2 & 3

It is one thing to have a vision for the Lord’s work - -and it is quite another to share that vision so that it may be put into action. The Lord had certainly put this great task in Nehemiah’s heart (see 2v12) – now he had to put it in the people’s heart (2v17b-18) –so that they had ‘a mind to work’. Most of the time God uses people—plain and ordinary (but also faithful, available, and obedient!) saints—to accomplish His will on the earth.

GOD’S MAN WITH GOD’S PLAN  Chapter 2 - -PLANNING
‘The mountain starts to move’ – Warren Wiersbe. Four months Nehemiah had been praying. Why is waiting so hard for us?   Why is it important? (see also Psalm 5v3)
What kinds of situations make you nervous or fearful? Why? 
v1-10 	What was Nehemiah’s frame of mind, and why did the king’s question make him afraid? What wise thing did Nehemiah do when afraid? 
Sadness was a dangerous emotion to express in the king’s presence. The king wanted his subjects to be happy, since this reflected the well-being brought about by his kingship.
Note what he asked of the King and what extra the king gave him v7-9 See how his leadership was beginning to develop.
v11-20	What did he do first at Jerusalem (for 3 days) –why?
How does he do his ‘homework’?  v12-16 cf. also Proverbs 15v22 & 16v3 and 9
How does he share the vision and how do they respond? v17-18
How does he deal with the first opposition? (v19) Notice he states he has the King’s permission and God’s protection. (v7-8 & v20) Those enemies who tried to intimidate Nehemiah against the work had neither, since they were not commissioned by God or the king. Note also Isaiah 41v10
What do you think made Nehemiah a good leader?

GOD’S WALL BUILDERS Chapter 3 - - PROGRESS
At first glance chapter 3 seems to be nothing more than a simple list of the workers who participated in the rebuilding effort. But further inspection reveals a numbering of fascinating insights about leadership, human nature, and hard work. Life is a very busy in this chapter as each gets on with the job. Note –some work in groups while others work on their own having caught the vision –except one group v5. One explanation, beyond just the laziness of the rich, is that these nobles had given their loyalty to Tobiah for personal gain (see 6v17–19).
See how Nehemiah knows each by name and gets them working on what they are skilled to do. Do you see this as a valuable part of leadership? Why?
Note – they worked next to each other v2,4,etc. How does that challenge and encourage us?
Some did jobs they were not used to see v8 &v32 and also the priests v22 and women v12
Why should we get involved in activities that don’t directly benefit us?
Are we willing to do things we are not particularly good at, when necessary?
Nehemiah seems to have had such a willing workforce - - do we have a similar aim?
Why do some people not take part in church activities and how may we encourage them to begin?
Is the Lord’s honour, building up His kingdom important to us? (see also 1Corinthians 3v5-15)
Who is ultimately behind any and all of our successes?  See Genesis 39v2–4.
“Making sensible and careful plans for serving God does not conflict with reliance on His providence, and reliance on His providence does not excuse failure to plan.”John MacArthur

1 Corinthians 15v58  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
											DJ
PRAYER TIME  Pray for leaders in the various aspects of the life and witness of Surrey Chapel. (not just elders and deacons –but of groups/activities)