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Nehamiah
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The inspiration

The Book of Nehemiah

Thirteen chapters about prayer, preparation, shared work, opposition, justice, worship and ongoing faithfulness. Scripture is the King James Version (public domain). Summaries and questions are original Nehamiah notes, clearly marked.

Chapter 1

A burden becomes prayer

Chapter 2

Prayer, permission, and preparation

Chapter 3

Many people share the work

Chapter 4

Prayer amid pressure

Chapter 5

Justice within the community

Chapter 6

Discernment and completion

Chapter 7

People beyond the project

Chapter 8

Scripture, understanding, and joy

Chapter 9

Confession and remembered mercy

Chapter 10

Commitments with practical consequences

Chapter 11

The cost of belonging

Chapter 12

Dedication and ongoing provision

Chapter 13

Faithfulness needs continued attention

Nehemiah’s prayer

Nehemiah 1:5–11 · KJV

5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: 6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Read Nehemiah in 13 sessions

Self-paced; one chapter per session. No streaks or required completion dates.

  1. 1. A burden becomes prayer — Ask one partner how they are doing, and pray for them.
  2. 2. Prayer, permission, and preparation — Write a clear purpose, need, and next step for an upcoming conversation.
  3. 3. Many people share the work — Thank a person whose work rarely receives attention.
  4. 4. Prayer amid pressure — Arrange a check-in with a teammate and name one concrete support need.
  5. 5. Justice within the community — Review a promise, expense, or request from the perspective of the person affected.
  6. 6. Discernment and completion — Protect one important task while remaining open to legitimate accountability.
  7. 7. People beyond the project — Check one responsibility that could otherwise fall between team members.
  8. 8. Scripture, understanding, and joy — Read a passage slowly and share something good with someone who may be left out.
  9. 9. Confession and remembered mercy — Write a brief prayer of confession and gratitude.
  10. 10. Commitments with practical consequences — Review a commitment you have made and set a realistic next step.
  11. 11. The cost of belonging — Send a specific thank-you for someone’s freely offered contribution.
  12. 12. Dedication and ongoing provision — Thank the people behind a milestone and confirm the ongoing responsibilities.
  13. 13. Faithfulness needs continued attention — Check whether a promised act of care or support has been neglected.