What's Next?

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WHAT COMES AFTER SUNDAY?

Use the next steps, Bible plan, message recap, questions & resources below to go deeper.

this week's next steps

Memorize Matthew 10:16-20

Keep working even when opposition comes

Read Nehemiah 7-10 for next week

Say yes to Jesus - click here

Join this week's Bible reading plan

This Week's Message Recap:

In Nehemiah 3-6, we see that rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was about much more than a simple construction project. It was a massive undertaking that required the participation of an entire community, and it came with plenty of opposition along the way. From the ridicule, accusations, and threats, the people faced challenges from every single direction. Even Nehemiah's own life was threatened as others tried to distract him from the work God had called him to do! It's easy to look at the finished wall and see an incredible accomplishment, but we can’t forget just how much they had to overcome to get there.

So how did Nehemiah and the people respond? They prayed, they kept working, and they prepared for what might come next. They didn't allow opposition to pull them away from what God had called them to do, and they understood that trusting God didn't mean ignoring the challenges in front of them. We see a similar reminder in Matthew 10, when Jesus tells His disciples to be wise and prepared as they go out into the world. Nehemiah 6:15-16 tells us the wall was completed in just 52 days, and even their enemies couldn’t help but recognize that God was behind it! Similarly, we can often be surprised when challenges come our way, even when we're confident we're following God's direction. But it’s important to remember opposition doesn't necessarily mean we're on the wrong path. The question is whether we'll let it stop us or continue moving forward in faith.

Questions to Consider:

1. Nehemiah faced opposition from outside the community, conflict within it, and threats to his own life. Which of these do you think is most difficult to navigate? Why?
2. We often interpret difficult circumstances as a sign that something isn't meant to be. How might Nehemiah's story challenge that way of thinking?
3. Nehemiah prayed, continued working, and prepared for opposition. Which of those responses do you think we tend to neglect most in our own lives?
4. If the criticism of others can become a distraction from what God has called us to do, how do we discern which voices deserve our attention and which don't?
5. Reflect on Matthew 10:16. What can happen when we emphasize one of those qualities at the expense of the other?