Sermon Summary:
In this final installment of our Nehemiah series, we explore what happens after the seemingly perfect ending of Jerusalem's wall being rebuilt. After 12 years of successful leadership, Nehemiah returns to his position in Susa, only to discover years later that everything he built is falling apart. The temple is compromised, worship is neglected, and the people have broken their covenants. Rather than accepting defeat, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and takes dramatic action - including throwing out temple squatters and confronting those who broke their vows. Through this unusual ending, we learn that spiritual progress requires constant vigilance and intentional maintenance. The sermon connects this ancient story to our modern struggle of maintaining spiritual victories and the importance of persevering in intentionality. We explore Paul's teachings in Ephesians about walking wisely and understanding that while no one plans to fail, many fail to plan not to. The message concludes with various New Testament exhortations to perseverance, reminding us that spiritual growth is a daily journey requiring consistent, intentional effort.

Discussion Questions:

1. What areas of your life have you seen "deteriorate" after periods of victory? How do you typically respond?
2. How do you balance between being patient with progress and being forceful against regression?
3. What's your reaction to Nehemiah's intense response to finding the temple compromised? Was his anger justified? 
   
4. In what ways do you find yourself "drifting from intentional holiness"?
5. What specific practices help you maintain spiritual victories in your life?How can we apply the principle of "persevering in intentionality" to our daily lives?​

Sermon Summary:
In this second installment of our Nehemiah series, we explore how prayer and planning work together to bring about significant change. Nehemiah's story reveals a man who balanced extended prayer sessions with quick "arrow prayers" throughout his day, showing us that communication with God doesn't need to be complicated. Before approaching King Artaxerxes with his bold request to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, Nehemiah spent months in prayer while simultaneously developing detailed plans for the reconstruction project. We see how Nehemiah's understanding of God as a covenant-keeper gave him the courage to make an audacious request - asking for 12 years off work, resources from the king's forest, and official protection, all to rebuild a city that the same king had previously forbidden to restore. The sermon demonstrates how prayer isn't a substitute for action but rather the foundation that makes our plans effective. Through Nehemiah's example, we learn that approaching God doesn't require rigid formality but rather the simple trust of a child coming to their father, whether for extended conversations or quick check-ins throughout the day.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does viewing God as a father change your approach to prayer?
2. What's your "one thing" that needs attention, and what's holding you back from addressing it?
3. How do you balance between planning and praying in your own life?
4. What can we learn from Nehemiah's boldness in making requests?
5. How might "quick prayers" throughout your day change your relationship with God?
6. In what ways do you see yourself making prayer more complicated than it needs to be?

Sermon Summary:
We explored Nehemiah's compelling story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and the profound lesson it teaches about focused determination. Through examining the historical context of Israel's exile and Nehemiah's role as cupbearer turned rebuilder, we discovered how his response to Jerusalem's destruction led to extraordinary leadership. The central message revolves around Nehemiah's powerful declaration: "I am doing a good work and I cannot come down." Despite facing opposition, threats, and distractions from Sanballat and others, Nehemiah remained steadfast in his mission. We learned that this principle applies to various aspects of our lives - from breaking destructive habits and healing relationships to pursuing God-given dreams. The wall was rebuilt in just 52 days, not through dramatic miracles, but through unwavering commitment and God's faithful support. This message challenges us to identify our own "walls" that need rebuilding and maintain focus until the work is complete.

Discussion Questions:

1. What "walls" in your life need rebuilding right now?
2. How do you typically respond to distractions when working on important goals?
3. Why do you think Nehemiah's enemies tried to get him off the wall instead of directly attacking?
4. What are some modern-day "Sanballats" that try to pull us away from our important work?
5. How can we distinguish between legitimate breaks and harmful distractions?
6. What role does community play in helping us stay focused on our "good work"?

Sermon Summary:
In this intimate exploration of faith through the lens of parenting, we discover how watching a child learn through observation reveals profound truths about our relationship with God. Through the story of a spontaneous dance moment with her daughter, we're invited to consider how our actions, not just our words, shape those around us. The sermon weaves together the biblical call to become like children (Matthew 18) with practical insights about abiding in Christ. We explore how Jesus' patient, non-controlling nature mirrors a parent teaching a child to walk or drive, emphasizing that spiritual growth often happens in process rather than instant transformation. The message challenges us to embrace both roles - that of the watching child learning from our heavenly Father, and that of the watched adult modeling faith for others. Using John 15's imagery of the vine and branches, we're reminded that authentic relationship with God isn't about perfection but presence. The sermon concludes with practical instruction on biblical meditation, offering tools for developing deeper intimacy with God through reading, writing, speaking, singing, and praying His Word.

Discussion Questions:

1. When have you noticed someone (especially a child) imitating your behavior in a way that made you more aware of your actions? How did this impact you?
2. The sermon discusses how faith can be harder to hold onto as an adult than as a child. What makes childlike faith challenging to maintain, and how can we nurture it?
3. How does the image of Jesus as a driving instructor in the passenger seat resonate with your spiritual journey? What does this metaphor reveal about God's character?
4. In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to move forward without "holding God's hand"? What might it look like to practice more dependence on Him?
5. The sermon mentions that God allows situations where we might doubt His goodness. How has your understanding of God's goodness evolved through difficult circumstances?
6. How does the concept of "abiding" differ from simply following religious routines? What practical differences do you see between the two approaches?