It was great to have my friend, Paul Stippch back this past Sunday. Doesn’t he do a great job? Not only did he provide the message this week, but he also wrote some discussion questions for us.
Do you know the meaning of your name?
Have you ever had someone speak a name into your life that led you into a false self-identity?
Have you ever had someone speak a name into your life that was affirming and encouraging?
Read Nehemiah 12:1-21 together, seeing who God used to begin the repopulation effort in Jerusalem, after the wall was rebuilt.
Well, that was… Interesting. Did you learn a lot?
What was the role of the people listed here? (hint: look at verses 1 and 24)
One of the things that strikes me about this passage is the meticulous listing of the individual names of these people. Why not just describe them as a group? What does it say to you about God that he is concerned with such details?
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29–31 (ESV)
What insight does this passage give you about why God would list those names in Nehemiah?
What insight does this passage give you about God’s awareness and attentiveness to you?
How would you describe your calling and life purpose within the community of believers?
Thinking about this, how does it impact your relationship with the Lord to know that He knows you by name and is sovereign over the details of your life?
Who is someone that you need to start or continue speaking life into
Who are the people in your life that are speaking value and truth into it? How should you be speaking into them? Maybe there is someone you can invite to the Christmas Eve service. Why don’t we pray together as a group for specific people that God wants us to speak into this holiday season.