Family Worship Guide
You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14: When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”
Brief Commentary: Around the year 444 BC Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down around a century and half earlier by the Babylonians. There was much work to be done and the task was daunting. As Nehemiah rallied the people of Jerusalem and work was being accomplished, their enemies began to mock them, threaten them, and, worst of all, curse their God! Nehemiah knew that this could really harm the work and dishearten the people of Jerusalem. That is the occasion for Nehemiah 4:14. He was encouraging his people to continue in the work, trusting in God, and working hard for each other.
Questions To Discuss: Do I really believe that God is great and awesome? Do I care enough about others to put my needs aside for their benefit?
Main Thoughts: Our boldness and resolve in life comes from loving and trusting God and looking out for the needs of those that we love. This was a noble task that Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem were called to. It was a task that glorified God and was good for their fellow man. And that drove them to continue on in the work despite the threats around them.
Main Things To Pray For Each Other: Pray that we will be people who are resolved to be faithful to God and His calling on our lives. Pray that we would not allow the discouraging shouts of those around us to keep us from honoring and obeying God.
Suggested Prayer Items: God, help us to obey You out of love for You! Help us to trust You more and more each day. And help us to look out for the needs of others around us.
