[Nehemiah] ELEVEN: Service & integrity_
Nehemiah 12
“If a job is worth doing... it’s worth doing right!” is a saying we’ve all heard and it’s because it’s true. And it’s true in our church community too. We would be of much better use to God, others and ourselves, if we didn’t volunteer for everything that comes along... but rather did a better job on the things we can realistically complete.
[Group discussion] Imagine a big company, at a posh awards ceremony, recognising the hard work done by the people who clean the toilets. THAT would be unusual!
Why do you think that we see some jobs as important and others as menial?
What jobs / tasks do you do that give you a lot of fulfilment and satisfaction?
[Read Nehemiah 12]
Why do you think the author mentions so many people in this chapter?
As a church, how do you think that we do at appreciating the supporting roles of people within the church?
In verse 25, how would you feel if you were Meshullam and were recognised for guarding the storerooms?
Look at verses 8 and 24 again. Do you think that most people would have wanted these jobs? Why or why not?
Since that, in our culture, we see the up-front gifts as “more significant” than the supporting / helping gifts, do you think that being in the choir is an important ministry?
Explain your answer.
Notice verse 43. From what we have read in Nehemiah so far, what is the reason for this rejoicing?
How do you think all the people felt at this celebration, and how did the people around Israel feel when they heard the rejoicing?
How do you and your church community feel when you have completed a job that everyone has been involved in?
Look at verses 44-47. How important do you think the collection of these goods was? Especially when it comes to the effectiveness of the running of Jerusalem and for providing the worship and celebration that Jerusalem represented?
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