Nehemiah 11

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Volunteers Needed

Why were more people needed in Jerusalem? What proportion of those living outside the city was needed to move into the city?
Who is the king referred to in Nehemiah 11:23-24?
Why did the king pay for the building of the temple and the walls?
God wanted Jerusalem to be a strong city. List two references that tell believers today to defend the faith, or contend for the faith.
What happens when volunteers are no longer able to do the front-line work?
Why is it that commitment and volunteer work are so difficult?

To help defend the city. One out of ten families. Lots were cast when more people were needed, over and above the volunteers.
King Artaxerxes l
From his Persian perspective, he wanted to appease all the gods. See Ezra 7:23.
Jude 3 and l Peter 3:15
Other volunteers need to catch the vision for God’s work and step in to fill their spots.
Perhaps because they are often unseen or “unsung” by man (although not by God!). The “long haul” is difficult and tiresome, and commitment fades when “instant results” aren’t achieved. There are many interesting or exciting distractions that draw people away from commitment and unpaid service. In addition, burnout may occur because of discouragement, long hours and very few people willing to help.

When you have given a job “your all,” and no one pats you on the back, how do you feel? What do you do? Does it encourage you to know that God takes note of every individual and his service for Him? See l Corinthians 15:58.
Have you been in a church where only a few seem to do almost all of the work? Can you come up with some creative ideas to solve or lessen this problem?

Would you be willing to pull up stakes and move if you believed it was the Lord’s plan for you?