GOD GIVES US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE FOR HIM.

SCRIPTURE | Nehemiah 4:1-14; 6:15-16

CENTRAL TRUTH

Maybe our ideas about God are weak compared to who God is; maybe our beliefs have made Him small, incapable; maybe we doubt that He will keep His promises. And we couldn’t be more wrong. We must look back at God’s faithfulness and look to God’s Word; if we do, and if we believe what we find, we’ll choose faithfulness to Jesus and never dream of stopping.

KEY QUESTION

READ NEHEMIAH 1:5. WHAT DID NEHEMIAH BELIEVE ABOUT GOD? HOW DID THOSE BELIEFS HELP HIM PERSEVERE? AS BELIEVERS TODAY, WHY DO WE STRUGGLE TO PERSEVERE?

KEEP IN MIND

Our students deal with some really heavy heartache. Maybe their life crumbled when they heard the word “cancer” spoken over someone they loved. Maybe their parents divorced. Maybe their sibling or friend died in a car crash. Maybe they tried alcohol or drugs for the first time and can’t walk away. Maybe they compromised godly standards for purity. The truth is that life does crumble sometimes; we can’t deny this. Life breaks and crashes down. The other truth is that even in their best efforts, students can’t rebuild what broke—not on their own. But God can. God responds when we turn to Him, when we hand Him the pieces of what’s left, when we repent. He rebuilds us and restores us (1 Pet. 5:10). He makes us new. Some of your students may desperately need to know this truth.

APPLICATION

HOW ARE YOU LETTING FEAR OF BEING LEFT OUT OR REJECTED DISCOURAGE YOU FROM LIVING BOLDLY FOR JESUS? WHAT WOULD HELP YOU PERSEVERE?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: Instead of waiting, students can live boldly as a citizen of heaven now. They can link arms with others who love Jesus. And if they’re the only one, they can look for ways to love others like Jesus loves them. Persevering happens one small decision at a time.

FOR THE LEADER: When you face discouragement or opposition as a leader, imitate Nehemiah—pray to God for help and continue the good work He has given you to do, knowing it isn’t in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).