Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary. There are few men portrayed in Scripture who had more lasting success leading than Nehemiah. In fact, the success of some, like Saul and Solomon, led to their demise, as power often does. In fact, a case could be made that the adversity Nehemiah had just come through in the last chapter is less of a threat to many leaders than success. As Scottish essayist and historian, Thomas Carlyle, once declared, “Adversity is hard on a man; but for every one man who can withstand prosperity there are a hundred that will withstand adversity.” In Nehemiah 5:14-19 we see a quality that allowed him to win a following in both adversity and prosperity
For Further Prayerful Thought:
Which example of Nehemiah being a giver rather than a taker most stood out to you?
What do you think are the biggest obstacles to become more of a giver than taker in all of our interactions with others?
How might the three observations we made about Nehemiah’s internal motivations explain his behavior as a giver instead of a taker?
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Episode Summary. Confrontation. It’s the least enjoyable part of leadership, but absolutely essential for effectiveness for any husband, father, coach, or team leader in business or the church. Today, we look into Nehemiah 5, where Nehemiah puts on a “clinic in wise confrontation” from which leaders can learn much. 
For Further Prayerful Thought:
Why did Nehemiah get angry? Why don’t Christians get angrier at the exploitation of the weak, poor, and marginalized in our culture?
What stood out to you about the way Nehemiah confronted the nobles and leaders about exploiting the poor? Why do you think it was successful?
What is your emotional reaction to the word, accountability? What have you learned about when accountability works and when it fails? Why don’t men take better advantage of the power of accountability to overcome sin in their own lives?
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Episode Summary. Today, in our study of Nehemiah we encounter a group of people whom the world has gotten down, who feel rotten, who were probably too doggone tired to pray, and were probably plenty mad. It is Nehemiah's ragtag band of Israelites who had taken on the huge task of rebuilding the city wall. They have successfully resisted opposition enough to get the wall to half its necessary height. But discouragement sets in. This episode shows how Nehemiah overcame the discouragement of his people.  
For Further Prayerful Thought:
How would you explain to a new believer why life is so hard?
We noted 4 sources of discouragement: weariness, losing perspective, walking by sight, and real opposition. In your life, which one or ones cause the most discouragement?
God allowed Nehemiah and his band of Jerusalem inhabitants to be opposed by enemies, intent upon murdering them. Such opposition doubled their work because it necessitated posting guards everywhere. How do you think Nehemiah kept this from disheartening his team?
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For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.
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Episode Summary. One of the greatest Christians who ever lived was honest enough to admit how difficult life can sometimes be. In the most biographical of his writings, the apostle Paul wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side. We are perplexed and persecuted. We experience troubles, hardships, and distresses…. We are knocked down but we are not knocked out.” The fourth chapter of Nehemiah reports how he and the residents of Jerusalem faced this same level of opposition to rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall and how they pushed through it. 
For Further Prayerful Thought:
What is wrong with the idea that if God loved me, he would not allow my life to be so hard? 
What stood out to you about using the weapon of ridicule to demotivate another. What are the implications of Jesus’ teaching about the impact of words for those of us who are spiritual leaders?
 ow can the example of Nehemiah inspire and strengthen you to persevere through whatever opposition you are facing? 
For the printed version of this message click here.
For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.
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Episode Summary. Few of us think we have the gifts to be a great leader; yet every married man has been assigned to the leadership role in his marriage. As Paul said “the head of a wife is her husband” (1 Cor 11:13). And of course we are assigned to lead our children as fathers. 
One of the biggest challenges for all leaders is motivating our followers to move in the direction we want them to go. Dwight Eisenhower, once said, “Leadership is the ability to get a person to do what you want him to do, when you want it done, in a way you want it done, because he wants to do it.” What a great description of Nehemiah. This episode examines how one of the greatest leaders in history overcame the apathy of the residents of Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city that had remained broken down for ninety years.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
What do you most want to remember about how Nehemiah motivated the people?
How have you observed the principle that when people have ownership of a goal or an asset, they feel much more responsible and motivated to take action?
As you consider the parallel between Nehemiah’s method for building the wall and God’s method for building the church, what most stood out about the church? 
For the printed version of this message click here.
For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.
To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)