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 20th, 27th April, 4th, 11th, 18th May
Building for God
Remember the context of the book of Nehemiah: the people of Israel were defeated, the leaders taken into exile, the people demoralised and the walls broken down. Does that sound familiar today? With Christianity ridiculed and sidelined at every turn and secular values taken more and more as the norm. It was into this context of distress and disillusionment that Nehemiah came to rebuild the people of God; beginning with the practical task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
April 20th
Setting off
Nehemiah 2:1-10
A Cup-bearer (1:11) was a very responsible and trusted position. It was up to him to make sure that the king was not poisoned and that his food was acceptable to the king.
Get each member of the group to write down one thing they would like to see changed for the better in society and put pieces of paper together on a table in the centre.
Talk briefly about those things which move you to prayer. (Nehemiah had been praying for 3 months about this situation 1:1 with 2:1)How can we ‘bear one another's burdens'?
Read the passage:
Why do you think the king said Nehemiah was sad? (v.2) When the literal translation of verse 1 is ‘I didn't feel sad'? How do you feel when you are burdened?
How do you react when asked a difficult question ? (v.4a)
How can we react as Nehemiah did? How much do you use arrow prayers?
What do verses 7 and 8 tell us about forethought and planning?
How do you think Nehemiah felt as he travelled back to Jerusalem from Babylon?
How ought we to approach a new stage in ministry for God?
Conclude with prayer and during that time take all the pieces of paper written on earlier - screw them together and throw them in the bin - praying God's change in society.
April 27th
Standing Together
Nehemiah 2:11-20
Nehemiah is now back in Jerusalem (v.11). How do you think he felt with such an enormous task in front of him?
Read the passage.
Why did he go out himself and look round by night? (v.12-16) How important is it to ‘see the need for yourself'?
We often shy away from giving people ‘bad news' (v.17). How can we do this to bring a positive outcome?
What part should testimony play in encouraging others? (v.18a)
What can v.18 teach us about our work for God at CCP?
What do verses 19 and 20 tell us about beginning to move with God?
Have you known times of difficulty as you've done what God wants?
Finish by making a ‘covenant together' as a cell to support one another and build God's kingdom together.
May 4th
Side by Side
Nehemiah 3:1-5,28-32
Begin with a quiz asking questions about someone who comes to church. (e.g. they sit on the right side of church, they have a small daughter, they wear glasses, have dark hair, they are involved with the school) and see who gets the person first.
Read the passage
This may seem a ‘boring passage' - certainly it isn't easy to read!!! Actually it is vital.
There are 38 individuals and 15 groups mentioned in this passage.
What does this teach us about getting jobs done at church?
What does it teach us about leadership of the church?
What does it teach about knowing individuals at church? Can we know everyone?
What do you think of Tony's board? Do you think it is helpful?
Make a pledge to one another that for the next 3 weeks you will talk to someone you don't know when you are at church. (Don't worry about making a fool of yourself - the vicar does it all the time!)
May 11th
Opposition Begins
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Begin by sharing those times people have spoken against you and especially your faith. How did you feel? How can we help one another in these circumstances?
Read the Passage
As we begin to move with God we can be certain of opposition.
Is opposition a sign of disobedience? (It's hard - it can't be God's will!)
What does this passage teach us about the opposition we might face?
Especially: v.3, 8, 12, 14
What does it teach about how to withstand opposition?
Especially: v4, 9, 13, 14, 17, 20, 23
How can we as cell help one another and the church in times of opposition?
Remember sometimes the opposition comes from within as well as outside.
May 18th
Care for the needy
Nehemiah 5:1-12
This passage mirrors Acts 6:1-6
What part do you think caring for the needy played in Jesus' life and ministry?
Read the passage
What were the external pressures which caused the problem?(v.2-4) v.2 might be summed up as - ‘we can't eat walls!'
What else made matters worse? (v.5,7,8) How was the problem resolved? (v.12f)
How could this relate to -
a. the West and the Two-Thirds world?
b. Those in need in our own country?
c. Those in Leigh?
Are we as a cell ‘caring for the needy'? Ought we to give regularly? Spend time with those in need?
If this was part of Jesus' ministry how can it be part of ours?
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