Bible Study Intensive

Keep in mind, God does not love men's sins or the wicked world in which man lives, but He does love His people. If we are honest before God, we realize we are sinful. God provided Jesus as an atonement to cover our sins and provides entrance into God's kingdom--only if we confess our sin and embrace Jesus.

What a journey we had last week! God opened a precious treasure to us. Be ready to receive again. Jesus in this section has changed location. He goes to Jerusalem. It is time for the Passover and every Jewish male who lived within 20 miles of the city was expected to come to the temple.

John doesn't waste time. Unlike the other gospels, he tells us nothing of the early life of Jesus. In the prologue, he introduced Jesus as the Son of God. When Jesus came, the truth was that God's own people rejected Him. The story wasn't over--good news for us! Those that believe become the children of God.

If you want to understand the true meaning of life, if you seek to have eternal life, if you long to know God, you will find these desires fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in this gospel. The first 18 verses are more than just a prologue. These verses set the theme for the entire book. John is introducing us to his beloved friend, teacher, Savior and revealing Jesus' true...

"Strangling Life's Problems" - Nehemiah had been gone a year. He returned to Jerusalem to find the situation had deteriorated rapidly. The people were not living up to the vows they had made. Nehemiah's opponents were are resilient as he was. His absence had led to setbacks.

"How Far is Your Joy Heard?" - Last we, we had to answer some hard questions and realize some important truths. Have you let God restore? Are you ready to move to His beat in your life?

"Moving On" - Once the people feel that their part of the task for God is done, they park on their complacency couch and begin to coast through life. That isn't really living! What does it take to blast you off your complacency couch and into a new pattern for living? Let's learn from the people of God in Jerusalem.

"Assigning Priorities" - This week we see the people anxious to get on with their lives. They want to do the things that are easiest and most enjoyable first. God, through Nehemiah, is stopping them in their tracks and having them go through a process of refocusing before they move ahead and make a mistake.

"Praising, Reflecting and Repositioning: Time for a Spiritual Check-Up" - The walls are constructed--now God is ready to begin a major reconstruction on His people. As the people feasted on God's cuisine, we see the first recorded revival. We come to understand that once you have the well-constructed wall outside, it's time to move on and take care of the inside.

"Taste, See and Be Revived" - The walls are built. People have settled down; their lives are comfortable. Life is good according to outward appearances. However, all the outside trappings are worth nothing unless there is life within. God's Word provides all the nourishment one's inner life will need. But is it feast or famine at your table?

"It Isn't Over Till It's Over" - All the attacks to which Nehemiah was subject had one thing in common: the attacks kept Nehemiah on his knees. He relied on God. For the moment, hostilities cease and building resumes.

"Dealing with Attacks, Subtle and Direct" - Just because you have a God-sanctioned plan doesn't mean there is smooth sailing. Some of the roughest waters are those that are closet to your boat. Prepare to learn survival mode. Nehemiah would be singled out to experience direct confrontation and attacks. Now, it is getting personal.

"Wall Building Reveals Problems Within" - When the grumblers and snarlers brought out their bag of tricks, the were defeated when Nehemiah went to his knees in prayer. Through community prayer time, he reminded them of the great things God had done, and encouraged them to believe in the great things still to do. Problems over?? Not by a long shot!

"Rebuilding in the Face of Opposition" It is August 1, 444 B.C. You are standing before a pile of rubble. There are 4.5 miles of wall to build. Impossible task? 52 days later, on September 21, the wall was done.

"Confronting Obstacles and Setting Focus" Last week, we determined walls provide protection, establish boundaries, and give people a sense of security. Within a safe environment, a person can nurture, dream and live a good life. God's wall building work is never easy. In these last days, it is getting more and more difficult to build strong walls and serve God. The enemy is hurling his ammunition...

"Overcoming Life's Challenges God's Way" The book of Nehemiah is a case study in overcoming life's challenges. After the year we have lived through, it isn't, "Will I face challenges?", it is, "When will they come and how will I deal with these tough times?" From Nehemiah, we learn where to discover hope and how to have victory when challenges surround us. THREE MAJOR THEMES 1. Restoration in a wo...

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Repentance and Restoration" In chapter 7, Ezra set out to change the world by studying, obeying and teaching the Word of God. It made a difference. Chapter 9 showed us that God’s Word exposed the peoples’ sin. In this study sheet, we will see the prayer Ezra prayed to connect the people’s past to the present, revealing Go...

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "How to Reinvent Life Patterns" There is a lot that happens in the rest of chapter 8. Once more, Levites were recruited and 200 temple servants. God had to be stirring many hearts for people to leave the comforts of home for the unknown.

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Here Comes the Man" We are on a journey–how are you preparing? What help can you expect along the way? You have a vital role to play in God’s working out of your destination. Last week we saw the joy the people had as they began to celebrate and worship God in His prescribed way. Seeing their worship caused me to question...

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "God Behind the Scenes" Last week we saw how the temple work was resumed. Behind the scenes, God faithfully pursued His plan. He set limits on the powers of the world. The people could have despaired or retreated when the questioned, but they would remember their past and trust God.

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Tricks and Treachery and Victory" Last week we questioned ourselves and our seriousness about building God’s temple. God has declared and demonstrated that He is steadfast. We need to hang on to that fact and get on track with His program. In their process of resettlement, these returning exiles got off course.

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Dealing With the Unexpected" Ezra established the legitimacy of the returning exiles. They settled in ancestral lands. They then knew they needed to get back to the basics. They met the in the fall of the year, the most sacred month on the Jewish calendar, containing the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Fea...

Studying Ezra & Nehemiah with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Painting the Background – An introduction." Understand where people are, how they got there and where they are headed.

Studying 1 & 2 Peter with Joanne Lodge at Cedar Hills Community Church. "Discover Your Hope" Last week, we concentrated on opening our eyes to the adversary that could be infiltrating our precious sanctuary. Peter is not finished yet. This is a truly glorious climax to Peter's writing to us. He will talk about the rest of the story. This truth has kept him strong and hopeful through the crazy time...