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Nehemiah 8

 [Nehemiah] EIGHT: Revival_ 

Nehemiah 8 

This chapter of Nehemiah reveals something about real repentance, contrition, and weeping... but also celebration and joy! 

 

[Discussion starters] People are often classified as either optimistic or pessimistic. Which of these two do you feel best describes you? 

How much is celebration a part of your own regular Christian life? 

 

[Read Nehemiah 8] 

 

The number seven was important to the Jews. 
The seventh month is no exception... it is one month that contains multiple feasts and festivals, as well as the Day of Atonement. 
If you were an editor of the bible, given the themes and feel of this chapter, what title or name would you have given this chapter of Nehemiah? 

 

 

If you were Nehemiah, and given what’s gone on in the previous chapters, what would make you want to meet with all the other people who had built the wall? 

 

 

In verses 2-3, what were the qualifications of those who attended? 

 

 

What statements reveal the reverence and seriousness of the people as they hear the Word of God (verses 3-12)? 

 

 

 

 

 

How did the religious leaders help the people understand what the law was saying to them? 

 

In verses 9-12, Nehemiah and all the leaders try to encourage the people to celebrate after the revival and repentance they have gone through. Why do you think the people are weeping? 
Why do the religious leaders want them to celebrate? 

 

 

Why do you think that God put so many feasts and celebration days within the Old Testament calendar? 

 

In our modern Christian church setting, what are the comparisons that we have to these feast and celebrations today? 

 

Compare your own ability and willingness to celebrate with your ability and willingness to repent. Does one or the other come more naturally and easily to you? 
Why do you think this is the case? 

 

In verse 13, who assembles on the second day? 
Why do you think they assemble? 

 

We are told in verses 12 and 17 that the people had great joy. 
What was the reason for this? 

 

How have you seen Christians show the great joy that they have from obeying God’s Word? 

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