ancSpiritual

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“Build Your Life Better”
Week of November 7^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

This week winds up the series in Nehemiah. Throughout the series we saw the faithfulness of God, the faithfulness of Nehemiah and the faithfulness of God’s chosen people. We saw how God provided for his people and protected them as they were obedient to him. This week will be an overview of Chapters 12 and 13, the last two chapters of the Book of Nehemiah. You will read of the joy the people experienced as they were obedient and enjoyed God’s blessing in their lives. You will also read of the way the people of God expressed their thankfulness to the Lord God for all he had done for them by joyfully bringing their tithes and offerings into the storehouse.

This study will focus on portions of Chapters 12 and 13.

Nehemiah 12:27-31:

General Comments: The Levites were Israelites from the tribe of Levi. This tribe was chosen by God to care for the temple and guide the people in worshiping God. The length of the walls was 4,018 meters (2.5 mi), the average height was 12 meters (39 feet) and the average thickness was 2.5 meters (8 feet).  Nehemiah 6:15 “So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.”

1. Considering the dimensions of the wall that was rebuilt, do you have an appreciation for the magnitude of the task they undertook? What does this suggest about the number of people involved and their dedication to the task?
2. What was the purpose in bringing the choirs together?

Nehemiah 12:44 to 47.

3. The offering is described as “the first part of the harvest, and the tithes”.
   1. What does this say about importance of the offering?
4. Is there one verse in particular that stands out for you in this passage?
5. Is there a parallel between 2 Corinthians 9:7 and the part of Nehemiah 12:44, “For all the people of Judah took joy in the priests and Levites and their work.”? Explain.

Nehemiah 13:

6. Why were the Ammonite’s and Moabite’s not allowed to enter the assembly of God?
7. In the first 14 verses of Nehemiah 13, what impact did allowing those who were not of God’s chosen people into the assembly have on:
   1. Those whom God had chosen to serve?
   2. What impact do you think this had on God’s chosen people?
   3. What does this suggest about how the priorities of the world can have a harmful impact on the church?

8. Nehemiah 13:15 to 22:
   1. What was the issue in these verses?
   2. Why was this an issue?
   3. What does it mean to you to “remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day”?
   4. Why is it important to keep holy the Sabbath Day?

9. In Nehemiah 13, how many times does Nehemiah ask God to remember what he has done?
   1. Why do you think he did this?
   2. Does this suggest what Nehemiah’s motivation was in all that he did?

10. Nehemiah was called by God to lead his people in rebuilding the wall. This was only the starting place as God’s people came together to build the wall, rediscover the Book of Moses and diligently apply God’s commands to their lives.
    1. What is the greatest gift that God has given you?
    2. Consider Philippians 2: ¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him”. What would you say is the chief result you have experienced through the salvation that belongs to you, who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour?

For Reflection:

How often do we read something in scripture and think, “I really need to do that”, and yet so often we may do nothing. The challenge today is: What is one thing that I have learned that I can apply to my life? What step(s) can I take to ensure that I don’t forget about it tomorrow, or next week? Through the life and death of Christ our Saviour, God has given us this wonderful gift of life where I have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to guide me in all things. What am I doing with this gift God has given me? What is he calling me to do?

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“Build Your Life Better”
Week of October 31^st, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

Nehemiah had a heart for his people. In working to build their lives better, he built his own better. There can be no greater joy than seeing someone you have helped doing well. It is worth the sacrifice. You will see in this passage that Nehemiah sacrificed much to ease the burden and improve the lot of his people. Building your life better is helping another build their life better. That makes all of our lives better.

Nehemiah 5 (NIV)

5 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. ² Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.”

³ Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.”

⁴ Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. ⁵ Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

⁶ When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. ⁷ I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them ⁸ and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

⁹ So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? ¹⁰ I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! ¹¹ Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”

¹² “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. ¹³ I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!” At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.

¹⁴ Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. ¹⁵ But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. ¹⁶ Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

¹⁷ Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. ¹⁸ Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

¹⁹ Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

As you start this study, quickly read through Nehemiah 4 to set the context for Chapter 5. We will spend some time developing an understanding of what was happening at the time this chapter was written and then discuss any principles that might apply to us today.

1. What was Nehemiah’s position at the time this was written? What do you base your answer on?

2. Chapter 5:1-5:
   1. Who do you think the “men and their wives” in verse 1 refers to?
   2. What work had these men been performing?
   3. What did they have to do to survive as a result of their work?
   4. What was the immediate impact of the action they had to take to survive?
   5. What would the future impact be on their lives?

3. Chapter 5:6-18:
   1. What impact did it have on Nehemiah when he saw how his people were suffering?
   2. What was the problem?
   3. What was Nehemiah’s solution?
   4. What do these verses suggest about Nehemiah’s leadership style? What do you base your answer on?
   5. What do verses 17 and 18 suggest about Nehemiah’s commitment to living what he was encouraging the nobles and officials to do?
   6. What was one of the key differences between the way the previous governors treated the people and the way Nehemiah treated the people?
      1. What impact do you think Nehemiah’s treatment of the people had on their willingness to be fully invested in the work they were doing?

4. Does verse 19 have any special significance for you? Explain.

5. As you reflect on what you have learned from Nehemiah 5, is there one or more key take-aways that you can apply to your life? Consider the principle behind the action rather than the specifics of the story.

6. Consider Philippians 2: ¹Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. ³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (NLT)

1. Have a discussion on how the principles of these verses of Philippians 2 are reflected in the actions of Nehemiah and the men restoring the walls of Jerusalem?
2. What are the characteristics of a tender, compassionate heart?
3. What is a practical application of these verses in our lives?
4. How is your life be better by applying these principles?

For Personal Reflection:

We live in such troubled times where there seems to be so little to encourage us and yet, through Christ Jesus we have so much to be thankful for. Considering the passage from Philippians 2, who can I encourage this week? Who do I know that might be lonely that I can share my time with? Who can I encourage with a meal or a phone call? When have I put my interests ahead of the interests of others?

Pray and ask the Lord to reveal himself to you this week in the opportunities he will bring your way. As a child of God, a child of love, we are called to share that love with others.

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“The Bounty, The Burden, The Blessing”
Week of October 24^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

There is a saying I heard some years ago that I have never forgotten, “If you worry and it comes to pass you have lived it twice; if you worry and it does not come to pass, you have lived the stress for nothing.” Worry is a futile undertaking, and yet it is so prevalent in our world. Today, we will study what the Bible says about worry, learn the alternative, and the blessing that is ours when we trust in God and leave things in his hands.

Matthew 6:²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1. What does Matthew 6 tell us:
   1. About worry?
   2. Our priorities?

• What is the promise when we get our priorities straight?

1. Take a moment to reflect on worry and, if you feel comfortable discuss:
   1. Are there things you are worried about?
   2. Can you change the outcome by worrying?

• What can you do to release the worry?

2. Let’s consider Philippians 4:

Philippians 4: (NLT)⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁰ How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. ¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ,^[d] who gives me strength. ¹⁴ Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. ¹⁷ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

1. In Philippians 4, Paul talks about worry and about concern. Lets look at the difference between the two.
   1. Worry:
      1. Define worry.
      2. What are some of the things we worry about?

• Why is worry futile?

1. How would you use Matthew 6:27 to support your answer?

1. Concern:
   1. Define concern.
   2. What are some things we might be concerned about?

• Does concern motivate you to act?

1. Can you express in a sentence or two the difference between worry and concern?

2. Is there a connection between what Paul is telling us in verse 5 and what we learn about the Philippian church is verse 10?
   1. Is the concern in verse 10 a natural extension of being considerate in verse 5? Explain.
   2. In this passage from Philippians,
      1. What is the antidote for worry?
      2. What is the promise?

3. Consider the following verses. I feel there are some very important life lessons in them. If you are a worrier, please give the verses some careful thought and put the principles into practice.   ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
   1. What is the command in the first sentence?
   2. Note the last phrase, “pray about everything”. How often have you not prayed about something because you felt it was too small to bring before our God? Does this way of thinking fit with the last phrase?

• “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
  1. What are a couple of things that obeying this command will help us recognize?

1. What is the promise? What does this mean to you?
2. How do you think God’s peace guards our hearts and our minds?

4. There is a blessing in not worrying, a burden our God is willing to carry for us if we will give it to him, and a way in which we show our appreciation for all he has done.
   1. How does Paul describe our gifts in verse 18?
   2. Consider verse 18b in light of 2 Corinthians 9:7.
      1. What does this suggest about the attitude of our heart and how God views our gift?
      2. How does practising Philippians 4:6 help us to be generous, give with a cheerful heart and give a gift that is “a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.”?

For Reflection:

The phrase that is often used is “let go and let God”. I googled the phrase to see where it might have originated. I found some very interesting lyrics that fit so perfectly with today’s study. You’ve been waiting a long time, For God to bless you. You ought to let go and let God have His way. If you want to be blessed, you want God to move, Here’s a little something that you must do. Don’t wait for tomorrow, tomorrow may be too late. Let go and let God, let God have His way.

As we face our worries, or perhaps great personal challenges or an uncertain future, Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me”, is one to cling to as you struggle to release your worry. Don’t put it off – you have everything to gain and nothing to loose by turning your troubles over to the Lord. Let go and let God have his way in your life and in your situation. You may be surprised at the blessing and peace you will enjoy. God’s promise!

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“Build Your Life Better”
Week of October 17^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

Sometimes life hands us a series of setbacks that has us running for cover. But then the Lord works in the situation to make something really positive come out of it. In the midst of our trials, Nehemiah shows us what can be accomplished when we pray, trust in the Lord, and commit ourselves to the vision he has given us. Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal his vision for you that he might be glorified as a result of what he has and will accomplished through you.

Nehemiah 4 (NIV)

Opposition to the Rebuilding

4 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, ² and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

³ Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

⁴ Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. ⁵ Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.

⁶ So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

⁷ But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. ⁸ They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. ⁹ But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

¹⁰ Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”

¹¹ Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

¹² Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

¹³ Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. ¹⁴ After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

¹⁵ When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.

¹⁶ From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah ¹⁷ who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, ¹⁸ and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

¹⁹ Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. ²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

²¹ So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. ²² At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” ²³ Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.

1. Why was it important to God’s people to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem? Consider what we have learned in the first three chapters of Nehemiah.

2. In Nehemiah 4:1-3:
   1. You will notice in the Book of Nehemiah, when naming those who opposed the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem, Sanballat is always mentioned first. He seems to be most vocal in his criticism and the others seemed to follow his lead.
      1. What does this suggest about his influence among his peers?
      2. What might this also suggest about his peers ability to think and draw their own conclusions?

• How was their opposition to rebuilding the wall demonstrated in these verses?

1. What impact do you think rebuilding the wall would have had on the relationship between those living within Jerusalem and the surrounding governors?
   1. Does this suggest why they may have opposed the rebuilding of the wall?
2. As God’s people, what are some symbolic walls we can erect to protect us from influences that would cause us to live in a way that does not honour God?
3. Discussion Question: What guidelines might we use to determine whether we are being positively or negatively influenced by others?

3. Consider verses 4 -6:
   1. How did God’s people react to the opposition led by Sanballat?
   2. What does verse 6 tell us about the heart and commitment of the people?

4. Verses 7 -9 would suggest an escalation of tension between the Jews and the opposition.
   1. How was opposition escalating?
      1. What form was the opposition moving towards?
   2. What was Nehemiah’s response?
      1. Is there a principle we might consider when faced with opposition to something God is calling us to do? What is it?

5. The people of Judah, under the leadership of Nehemiah, had a vision. There was opposition to the vision. They assessed the magnitude of the task, the resources available, the opposition, and then they prayed and got to work. The opposition wasn’t ignored but they did put into practice a plan that allowed them to protect themselves, with the Lord’s help, and still complete the task at hand.
   1. What role did God play in this account of the rebuilding of the wall?
   2. What role did Nehemiah play?
   3. What role did God’s people play?
   4. What does this suggest about how God might work to accomplish his purposes?

For Reflection:

It was important to God’s people to have a safe place. They committed their time, their resources and their lives to make this happen. In this safe place, this walled city, they would be protected from the dangers around them. What is our ‘walled city’? What is my level of commitment to ensure I am protected from the negative influences of the world around me? Pray that the Spirit of the Living God would empower you to accomplish the task he has called you to and protect you from those who would distract you.

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“A Life of Thanksgiving”
Week of October 10^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

You never know how a simple act of kindness or an invitation to come to church can result in greatly improving someone’s day or perhaps even saving a life (spiritually). I have a very gifted friend who is faithfully serving the Lord using his unique giftedness. As we were chatting he shared that he came to church because someone he worked with asked him to come. Since he shared that story with me, I have thought about how God used one person’s simple invitation to change a life and in doing so has impacted the life of many through this person’s unique gifts. I thank God for his work in the lives of both of these men. What a testimony to God’s grace, that one person would have the courage to extend the invitation, and another would act upon it. The conversation came to mind when I read 2 Corinthians 4:15b, “And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified”. Our hearts overflow with thanksgiving when we see God working in a life and we give him all of the glory for what he is doing.

Everyone would agree that we are living in very troubled time, but when has this not been the case. In this season of thanksgiving, we will have a look at 2 Corinthians 4. There is great encouragement for us in these verses written by Paul to the Corinthians. I would encourage you to go to www.biblegateway.com and read this passage in parallel translations. For this study, I have chosen the Living Bible version.

2 Corinthians 4 (Living Bible)

4 It is God himself, in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work of telling his Good News to others, and so we never give up. ² We do not try to trick people into believing—we are not interested in fooling anyone. We never try to get anyone to believe that the Bible teaches what it doesn’t. All such shameful methods we forego. We stand in the presence of God as we speak and so we tell the truth, as all who know us will agree.

³ If the Good News we preach is hidden to anyone, it is hidden from the one who is on the road to eternal death. ⁴ Satan, who is the god of this evil world, has made him blind, unable to see the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon him or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God. ⁵ We don’t go around preaching about ourselves but about Christ Jesus as Lord. All we say of ourselves is that we are your slaves because of what Jesus has done for us. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that it is the brightness of his glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.

⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. ⁹ We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. ¹⁰ These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within who keeps us safe.

¹¹ Yes, we live under constant danger to our lives because we serve the Lord, but this gives us constant opportunities to show forth the power of Jesus Christ within our dying bodies. ¹² Because of our preaching we face death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you.

¹³ We boldly say what we believe, trusting God to care for us,  just as the psalm writer did when he said, “I believe and therefore I speak.” ¹⁴ We know that the same God who brought the Lord Jesus back from death will also bring us back to life again with Jesus and present us to him along with you. ¹⁵ These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified.

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. ¹⁷ These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! ¹⁸ So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Please read through the entire passage so each verse can be examined in the context in which it is written. This study is a bit introspective. I find that too often we almost intuitively know something but have difficulty putting it in words. I hope you find this study of value.

1. Consider verse 1, do I consider “telling his Good News” a wonderful work?
   1. How comfortable am I in sharing the good news? If I am uncomfortable, why?
   2. What can I do to make me feel more comfortable sharing the Good News?

2. Verse 2 has a lot packed into it.
   1. How do the following trick people:
      1. Using a verse out of context. Can you give an example?
      2. Ignoring the hard truths of the bible?
   2. Is there an awareness in your life that you constantly stand in the presence of God?
      1. Does this govern your thoughts, what you look at, what you say, what you do?
      2. How do we develop this awareness of the presence of God?

• Why is it important to understand this and how does this help us share the good news with others?

3. Verses 3 -5:
   1. What do you think some of the ways are that Satan uses to blind people to the message of God’s love?
   2. Verse 5 is so important to understand and to live.
      1. Why do we keep pointing to Christ and what he has accomplished and not to what we have accomplished?
      2. What is it that allows us to accomplish anything?

4. What is this precious treasure, this light and power that now shines within us that Paul is referring to in verse 5?
   1. Read Matthew 5:15: What do we do with this light? Who gets the glory? This is so important to understand and take to heart.
      1. What is the problem/risk with starting to think that I am doing something great for God?

5. Verses 8 – 12:
   1. The apostle Paul faced a level of persecution that many Christians today can not identify with, yet he remained faithful to God’s call on his life.
      1. What are some of the pressures we face today as we live our Christian faith?
      2. What is the risk to us compared to the risk Paul faced?

• Does this help in perhaps putting a reluctance to share the good news in perspective?

6. Verses 15-18:
   1. Consider the difficulties many have faced over the past couple of years related to the pandemic and the isolation, loneliness, stress, sickness, mourning the loss of loved ones, perhaps even suffering from illness.
      1. What are some key phrases or points that Paul is making in this passage that can be a source of encouragement for us when we are going through rough times?
      2. The NIV translates vs 15 as “¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” This may be the key verse in this passage.
         1. All of what is for our benefit
         2. What is the overall purpose?

Reflection:

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“Build Your Life Better”
Week of October 3^rd, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

The theme for this week’s study is build your life better. I encourage you to read through Nehemiah Chapter 3. You will find that each group had a responsibility for rebuilding a gate or part of a wall. The wall represented security for those who lived within its protection. Based on the theme of ‘build your life better’, we will look at scripture that can be a guide to help us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to build our lives better. The Lord our God is more than willing to help us, but are we willing to reach out and allow him to work in us and through us? On what foundation are we building a better life? That is the question.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NLT)

¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Doing something better might be improving on something we are already doing or it might be changing completely from what we have been doing to something entirely different. Sometimes, it is necessary to remember where we came from to fully appreciate where we are now. A life without purpose is just going through the motions. We find purpose and we find meaning in our lives as we live for Jesus.

1. As you read the above passage from 2 Corinthians 5, can you share in perhaps in a minute or two, at least one key thing that changed in your life when you accepted Jesus as your Saviour? Be specific in your answer. It is very helpful to think this through as it can be a great opening, when the situation is right, for a conversation with others.
2. Consider the following phrases from the passage: anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person; a new life has begun; God has given us this task of reconciling people to him; he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation; God is making his appeal through us; We speak for Christ.
   1. As you read the above phrases, consider each phrase individually in the context in which it was written and ask:
      1. What does this mean to me?
      2. What is God doing in my life?
      3. What is God asking me to do?
      4. Am I living this out in my life?
      5. What needs to change for me to do this?

1. Discuss how the following steps might set you up to build your life better.
   1. Starting each day with prayer.
   2. Spending time reading/studying the bible
      1. Getting to know Jesus
      2. Acquiring wisdom
      3. Understanding God’s plan for us
      4. What are other benefits of spending time in the Word that would help you build a better life?
   3. Be open to opportunities to share.
   4. Share the difference knowing Jesus has made in your life.

2. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
   1. Is there one underlying characteristic that you would say describes the behaviour and customs of the world? How would you describe it?
   2. Is there one underlying characteristic that you would say describes someone who is a follower of Jesus? What is it? Where does it start?
   3. What is the key to understanding God’s will for us?
3. Ephesians 4: ¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
   1. Explain how Ephesians 4:17-19 expands on your understanding of the first phrase of Romans 12:2 above.
   2. What corrupts our mind?
   3. What kind of an attitude shift has to take place in our minds to shift from a world view to a Christ view?
   4. What will bring about this change in our attitude?

4. Romans 5 (NLT) ¹ Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

1. Explain how Romans 5:1,2 might be the basis for building our life better.
2. No one likes to face trials or problems, but in God’s plan for us, they have a purpose.
   1. What is the purpose of the trials we face?
   2. What assurance do we have in the midst of our trials and problems?

For Personal Reflection:

Ask yourself, “what does it mean to me to build my life better”? The glib answer might be better health, more money, a different situation – but would these really result in a better life? Where does my peace come from? Where does our contentment my come from? What fulfills me? Where does my relationship to Jesus fit in this?

Please take a few minutes to seriously consider these questions. Use Psalm 139:23,24 as the basis for your prayer as you reflect on what the Lord has revealed to you through this study.

All Nations Church
Life Group Study
“Nehemiah 2”
Week of September 26^th, 2021
Study by Wayne Arcand

Top of Form

This is the second study in the Nehemiah series. I was particularly struck by the relationship between King Artaxerxes and Nehemiah and by the character of Nehemiah. At first glance this just seemed like a nice historical narrative, but as I started looking closer I found there are some very practical principles that we can apply to our lives. I hope you enjoy working through this study as much as I enjoyed writing it. Start by praying for a Spirit of wisdom and discernment as you study this portion of God’s Word.

Read the passage in its entirety so you will see the questions (and answers), in the context in which they were written.

Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

Nehemiah: 2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and re-entered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”

20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

1. As you read verses 1 and 2, are there two or three things you learn about the character of King Artaxerxes (ar-taks-urk’-sez) and his relationship with Nehemiah. Consider this relationship in light of the last sentence in Chapter 1.

2. Consider the last sentence in verse 2 and then verse 3.
   1. What does this tell us about the character of Nehemiah?
      1. Is there a principle here – what is it and how can we apply it to our lives.
   2. What was the result of Nehemiah’s courage.
      1. What verse supports your answer?

3. Consider verses 4 to 5:
   1. How quickly do you think this exchange took place – the time frame?
   2. Now zero in on the phrase, “then I prayed to the God of heaven”. Considering the time frame, how long do you think Nehemiah prayed?
   3. What are some principles from these verses that we might apply to our situations and prayer life. You might recall from chapter 1, that Nehemiah had already spent time in prayer and fasting before this took place.

4. When we look at verses 6 to 9, not only did Nehemiah pray to the Lord, but he was bold in asking the king for the assistance he needed to accomplish the task before him. Can you draw a conclusion that you might apply to your life?

5. Consider verse 10 and verses 19 and 20:
   1. What can we expect when embarking on a mission God has called us to?
   2. How did Nehemiah handle the situation? Is there a lesson for us in the response – what is it?

6. Additional question. I found the steps Nehemiah took to be interesting. Read verses 11 to 18, and see if you can come up with at least four steps Nehemiah took when starting the project or mission God had called him to.
   1. Could all or some of these steps be a guide that might be useful in something God has called you to? Think in terms of how these principles might be applied in your life now, not in some mighty project.

For Personnel Reflection:

When God is doing a work in our life or in our church, there will always be opposition. You will note that Nehemiah did not let the opposition distract him from the mission God had called him to. It is all too easy to let opposition, attractions, hurt feelings, even the busyness of life distract us from the mission God has called us to. What has God called you to? It will be different for each of us. You will find as we study further in book of Nehemiah, that Nehemiah, the soldiers who stood guard and the people who laid the stones all had an essential and integral part to play. All were essential to the completion of the wall. Where ever you serve the Lord, you are an important part of his plan. I love the line from the old hymn, “trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey”.