Nehemiah had come to Jerusalem to fix a problem. The city’s ancient, protective walls were in ruins, the entrances still had scorch marks from almost 200 years before, and the people had gotten used to the deplorable conditions. Let’s consider five ingredients we can apply to fix any problem.

I. Go the Distance

II. Assess the Need

III. Get a Group

IV. Expect a Fight

V. Take a Stand

Talk with God: Meditate on Psalm 147:1-6 this week and rest in the knowledge that the God who calls the stars by name also “heals the brokenhearted” (v. 3).

Talk with others: Encourage your believing friends and family to “not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9) and go to battle for them in prayer this week.

Talk with kids: Why is faith in Jesus the only way to be saved?

Your life is not an accident. You were made on purpose and for a purpose. Finding that purpose is the most important discovery you could ever make. There were four distinct elements that confirmed Nehemiah’s calling and purpose in life. These four essentials will help you find your purpose.

I. Timing

II. Trusting

III. Testing

IV. Tension

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal the relationships and areas of your life that need to be rebuilt or strengthened.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to hold you accountable to spend time in prayer and the Word each day throughout this series.

Talk with kids: What were the ten plagues God sent to Egypt?

Author Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale includes a character who says, “The fact is that I hate this city. I’ve hated it so long I can hardly remember feeling any other way about it.” For some people, this is a daily reality. But Nehemiah loved his city—Jerusalem—though it was a city in shambles. How can we, by God’s grace, learn to love our city for God’s glory?

I. Loving Your City Begins by Asking the Right Questions

II. Loving Your City Includes Feeling the Right Emotion

III. Loving Your City Means Having the Right Reaction

IV. Loving Your City Involves Doing the Right Actions

Talk with God: Meditate on verses 10-11 and ask the Lord to give you His heart for the people of our city.

Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing friends how you can lock shields with them in their daily walk with the Lord and as they serve Him in their community.

Talk with kids: How did God save Moses when he was a baby?

Does your family have any Easter traditions? Allow me to give you a few more. These are the instructions that a heavenly messenger gave to the women who came to the tomb early that first Easter morning: Come, See, Go, Tell! Today we’ll discover what these instructions mean.

Talk with God: Meditate on today’s passage and ask the Lord to fill you with a joyful desire to fulfill the Great Commission (vv. 18-20).

Talk with others: Practice sharing the gospel message with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member so you will “always be ready” (1 Peter 3:15).

Talk with kids: How did the resurrection impact our lives as followers of Jesus?

I. The Attribute

II. The Action

III. The Audience