Sunday School Lesson - March 15

Focal Passages:

Nehemiah 2:19-20; 4:1-14

Spiritual Preparation Through Personal Bible Study - Bryan Beyer, professor of Old Testament at Columbia Biblical Seminary & School of Missions, Columbia, SC.

A few years ago, our church participated in a congregational survey to assess our strengths and weaknesses. Through this survey, we hoped to position ourselves for more effective ministry to the end of the 21st century.

As we considered the data, our facilitator talked with us about the process of instituting change. He said, “Church leaders need to understand that on any given issue, approximately 5-7 percent of the people will oppose it. It’s important for leaders to figure out who these people are and ignore them.” But then he continued, “The challenging part is that on each new issue it’s a different 5-7 percent of the congregation!” His warm, somewhat humorous presentation helped us laugh with ourselves as we considered the possibility that not everyone would agree on the best way to move forward.

CAs in Nehemiah’s day, any time God’s people step up to initiate a new ministry or project, someone may try to step in to impede the progress. A cynical proverb states, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Cynical or not, an element of truth remains, particularly when the good deed grows out of Christian faith. As we study Nehemiah’s life, we will see how he refused to give in to despair, choosing instead to remain steadfast in purpose. His example challenges believers today to step up to serve the Lord even in the face of opposition.

In what ways have you experienced opposition in doing God’s work? (Check all that apply)

___ Words of others ___ Actions of others

___ Cold shoulder ___ Betrayal

___ Ridicule ___ Other:


In his effort to step up and serve the Lord, Nehemiah faced numerous attempts to intimidate or discourage him and the people from their task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah learned that people who step up to serve the Lord must not allow opposition to their efforts to scare them off from their task.