Locations
THE BIG IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:
God gave Nehemiah a vision to build, and Nehemiah said YES to God.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 2:17-18
READ THIS STORY:
God’s people, the Hebrews, were in trouble. Jerusalem, the city in which many of them lived and worshipped God had been attacked. The large walls that surrounded the city and protected the people had been destroyed. Much of God’s people had been sent away to another country called Babylon. It remained this way for a long time.
One day, a Hebrew man named Nehemiah, who worked for the King in Babylon, heard that God’s people were in trouble and he became very sad. With no walls surrounding Jerusalem the people could not find refuge (safety and shelter) and they were not worshipping God as they should. So, Nehemiah prayed and asked God what he should do.
God gave Nehemiah vision. God gave Nehemiah the idea to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. With the King of Babylon’s permission, Nehemiah went to go and rebuild the walls. But Nehemiah could not do this alone. It was way too big of a job to do all by himself. He invited God’s people there to join him in rebuilding the walls, and they said YES, “Let us rise up and build!”
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:1-6, 17-18
SAY THIS:
Nehemiah cared deeply for his people, the Hebrews, whose capital city of Jerusalem had been destroyed. God gave Nehemiah the vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS:
The Hebrew people were inspired by Nehemiah’s story, leadership, and vision. God has given Lifepoint Church an important vision for the next two years. What is one story you can share about how God has used Lifepoint to impact your life?
Are there any unmet needs around us that you care deeply about — in your school, friend group, neighborhood or home?
DO THIS:
Move to the “Our Family” portion of this guide.
SAY THIS:
The Bible says that God is our refuge and hope (Psalm 46:1) and that He deserves our worship (Psalm 150:1-6). The world is full of much trouble. God is using His church around the world, including Lifepoint, to help people find their hope in God’s Son, Jesus, and worship Him. God is building His church by using His people to reach their neighbors, the nations, and the next generations! But just like Nehemiah needed the people to say “YES!” to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, our family has the opportunity to say, “Yes!” to how God is using our local church.
THIS WEEK AT HOME:
When Nehemiah heard that people needed refuge and to worship God again, he prayed and asked God what he should do. This week at home we’re going to pray together and ask God what our family should do to help as God builds His church. God can use the time, the treasures, and the talents that He has given our family to do this. Just like Nehemiah, we’re going to be praying and asking God to give us vision for what He wants us to give and do. At the end of this month we’re going to make a commitment to God as to what our family will give over the next two years. We don’t need to talk about the amount as a family (*parents can discuss and decide this on their own) but we do need God to give us clear direction.
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH:
In order for the walls of Jerusalem to be built the people had to say “YES!” to being part of what God was doing in their city. If your family is saying “YES!” to being part of how God is using Lifepoint to reach our neighbors, the nations, and the next generations then this Sunday look for your campus’ BUILD Signature Wall. On this wall, write your names as a way of sharing that your family is praying and asking God for vision for how you can help BUILD.
FAMILY PRAYER (SUGGESTION BELOW):
Heavenly Father — we know that you are our refuge and hope. We want our neighbors, the nations, and the next generations to have the same hope in Jesus that we do. Our family is saying YES to being part of your plans for Lifepoint. Heavenly Father, we ask that just as you gave Nehemiah vision, we ask that you give our family vision for how you want to use us as you build up your people, the church. Amen.
THE BIG IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:
The People Said YES to God – He used their time, treasures, and talents to build.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 4:6
READ THIS STORY:
In chapter 3 of the book of Nehemiah there is a long list of names and families who all helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Each family gave their time to help. Each family used their different talents to complete different tasks. Each family was generous in giving the supplies that were needed.
The people not only said YES with their words to the vision that God gave Nehemiah, but they said YES with their actions. They could have kept what they had to themselves, instead they gave what was needed so that the walls could be built. Because of their actions, there would be a place for them and their neighbors to find refuge (safety and shelter) and to worship God.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 4:1-6
SAY THIS:
In chapter 3 of Nehemiah, there is a long list of names and families who helped rebuild the wall using their time, skills,
and resources.
DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS:
How does verse 6 say the walls were built? How do you think we can have this same attitude as we think about being generous over the next two years?
In the passage, there were enemies of Jerusalem that were trying to hinder the building process. What are obstacles that stand in the way of you being generous?
DO THIS:
Students will be given a BUILD commitment card. Look at that together. As you do, move to the “Our Family” portion of this guide.
SAY THIS:
Do you know what it means to be a steward? It means to take care of things that belong to someone else.
Do you know what it means to be generous? It means to give more than you’re expected to.
Everything our family has really belongs to God. Even our ability to work comes from God. He has given them to us so we can steward them (or take care of them) for Him. He has also asked us to be generous with these things. He asks us to give and use these things as part of His work in reaching our neighbors, the nations, and the next generations. Jesus taught about this in Matthew 25:14-30.
THIS WEEK AT HOME:
At the end of this month our family is going to make a commitment to God about how much we’re going to give to Him over the next two years (there are BUILD pledge cards for parent and students). This special day is called Commitment Sunday.
In addition to our BUILD Commitment, there is also an opportunity for our family to give a one-time, Kickstart Gift offering by the end of this year. *Kids (preschool – 5th grade) are invited to bring an offering to give in Lifepoint Kids on November 24th
So, what is one thing our family can do this month to be generous stewards? What is a unique skill, resource, or opportunity that God has given our family that we could generously steward to give towards the Kickstart Gift?
Here are some suggestions:
• Offer to rake neighbors’ leaves and ask for a donation.
• Bake and sell cookies to family, friends, and neighbors.
• Students can offer to babysit and ask for a donation.
• Kids can give their allowance for the month.
• Your family can go out to eat two times less this month.
The one thing our family will do this month to be generous stewards is: ___________________________________________________________________________
*As a family, how might the one thing we’re doing this month impact what we’re promising to give God over the next two years? For example: What if we decreased our family’s monthly entertainment to increase our family’s generosity over the next two years?
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH:
Remember how there was a long list of names and families? Those were people and neighbors who needed hope, refuge, and the opportunity to worship God. Who does your family know that hasn’t found their refuge and hope in God yet? Pray for them together as a family. On Sunday, look for your campus’ BUILD Signature Wall. Write that person’s first name as a way of sharing the name of the neighbor you’re praying for.
FAMILY PRAYER (SUGGESTION BELOW):
Dear God – thank you for the time, the treasures, and skills you’ve given our family. Help us to be generous stewards of those things. Lord we ask that you would use them to draw people to find their hope in you. We pray for ______, that they would come to know your love. You loved them by sending Jesus to live, die, and rise again for them so that they can be saved and worship you. Give our family opportunities to share about you through both actions and words.
THE BIG IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:
The exiles said YES to God and they worshipped Him.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 7:5-6
READ THIS STORY:
When the walls of Jerusalem were finally rebuilt many of God’s people (who had been far away in Babylon) could finally come home. These people were exiles – they or their families were sent away for a long time. But finally, they could come home! They could find refuge and could worship God in Jerusalem again.
Thousands and thousands of people, many who had never been to their homeland of Judah before (that’s where Jerusalem was), finally got to come home. When they did, the people all gathered together to hear God’s Word taught. They did this because they wanted to know how to live for God. He was their refuge and hope now.
They wanted to make God most important in every area of their lives. That’s really what worship is – making God most important in every area of your life. The people worshipped, celebrated, and feasted together!
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 7:5-6
DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS:
This passage describes the exiles that had been taken captive by Babylon. What is an exile?
What is a missionary? What is their purpose?
Can you think of any famous exiles in Babylon from the Bible (think Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego)? How were they missionaries during their exile?
What opportunities are there for us to be a missionaries? In our family? In our neighborhood? Would we consider a short-term mission trip?
DO THIS:
Move to the “Our Family” portion of this guide.
SAY THIS:
In a way, we are all exiles. We live here in Central Ohio, but our true home is in heaven with Jesus. If we have trusted in Jesus to save us through His life, death, and his resurrection He promises that we will be with Him always (John 14:1-6)! But there are people all over the world that don’t know Jesus. God is using His church, including Lifepoint, to tell people all over the world about Jesus and the true home that He offers.
THIS WEEK AT HOME:
This week our family is going to be praying for a church, ministry, or missionaries that Lifepoint partners with in order to help share the good news of Jesus with the nations! Let’s pick one and pray for them as a family all week:
• Brooklyn, New York - The Bridge Church
• Denver, Colorado - Journey Point Church
• Calgary, Canada - Multiply Church
• Chile - Fuente de Vida (church)
• Caribbean - Mahanaim (church)
• Peru / The Quechua Huaylas People - AWI Ministries
• France / North African Peoples – J & S
• Central Asia - V
• Southeast Asia - David & Tiffany H
• Uganda - Kakira Carepoint/ Global Theological Seminary
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH:
God is building His church by using His people to reach the nations. As your family prepares to make your promise to God as to what you’ll give over the next two years, remember that God will use your prayers and your generosity to reach people with the hope of Jesus and the true home He offers.
On Sunday, look for our campus’ BUILD Signature Wall. Share the name of the country, ministry, or missionaries that you prayed for this week by writing their name on the wall.
FAMILY PRAYER (SUGGESTION BELOW):
Dear God – we know that our true home is with you. We also know that there are so many people across the world that don’t know Jesus. We ask that you would use ______________ to reach people who don’t know you with the good news of Jesus. We look forward to the day when Jesus comes back to take us home. We’ll all be together to worship, celebrate, and feast together! Thanks for always keeping your promises and for having our true home ready for us when Jesus returns!
THE BIG IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:
We say YES to God because He first said YES to us.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 10:35-37
READ THIS STORY:
God had been so good to His people. He gave Nehemiah a vision to rebuild the walls of the city. He gave the people the skills and resources that they needed to rebuild the walls. He protected His people as they built the walls. He made a way for the exiles to come to their true home. He even provided the opportunity for them to celebrate! God’s people and the generations coming after them had a place to find refuge and to worship Him.
How did the people thank God? They made a promise to Him. They promised to worship Him – to make Him most important in every area of their life. They also promised to give Him the first and the very best of what they had. This was another way they worshipped God.
READ THIS PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 10:35-37
SAY THIS:
This chapter describes the Israelites taking an oath to worship and follow God.
DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS:
What is an oath? Why would the Hebrews make an oath to God? Consider all that God had done for them up to this point.
What are some ways that God has blessed us as Christians? How has he blessed our family? How has he blessed you personally?
DO THIS:
Move to the “Our Family” portion of this guide.
SAY THIS:
Just as God was good to the Hebrews, God has been good to us. He loved us by sending Jesus to live, die, and be raised for us. Romans 5:8 says that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we loved God, He loved us. Before we could give anything to Him, Jesus gave His own life on the cross for us. Because of who He is and what He’s done for us God deserves our worship. He deserves to be most important in every area of our life. He deserves to have the first and best of what we have.
THIS WEEK AT HOME:
This Sunday, November 24th is Commitment Sunday. We’ll be turning in our commitment card for what our family will be giving over the next two years. Let’s spend time in prayer asking God to continue to use us and our local church of Lifepoint, to reach our neighbors, the nations, and the next generations of people who need Him.
THIS WEEK AT CHURCH:
Parents and students, please bring your completed Commitment Card to turn in during Commitment Sunday.
*Kids, please bring your Kickstarter Gift to Lifepoint Kids.
FAMILY PRAYER (SUGGESTION BELOW):
Heavenly Father – We thank you that you loved us first. We thank you that you sent Jesus to live, die, and be raised again so that we could be saved and have new life in you. We love you and are grateful for your kindness to us. As our family worships you through our generosity both this week and over the next two years we ask that you would use our local church, Lifepoint Church, to reach our neighbors, the nations, and the next generations so that more and more people will draw life from you. Thank you for building your church throughout the world. We love you. Amen.
