Study and Obey

Would a shepherd invite a wolf to spend the night with the sheep? It seems crazy. But that is what the people were doing during the time of Nehemiah. This Bible study on Nehemiah 13 will show us what Nehemiah learned and how we can protect the flock today. It is likely that you also have a wolf at your day, or perhaps even in the house already. There are attacks against marriage, family, the churc...

I have been on prayer walks before. But until I read Nehemiah 11-12, I had never heard of a praise walk.  They hold this special event to dedicate the newly built temple wall to the Lord. It is a day of celebration as well as remembrance. God has blessed them. In response, they praise Him. This passage encourages us to never forget what God has done for us. Perhaps we need to dedicate something to...

Nehemiah 10 has a list of people who went public with their promises to God. Making vows is generally discouraged in the Bible. It is something that is to be taken very seriously. In this case, the people agreed to be cursed if they didn't keep their word. What promise was so important that they would publicly sign their name to it? Learn the answer to this question as well as the importance...

Nehemiah 9 is a very helpful chapter. It follows a grand celebration of the entire assembly of Israel. Now they assemble again to read the Word. This time they are convicted and begin spontaneous confession of sin.  God worked in their lives through the Word of God. They opened their hearts and heard from Him. Then they responded. God wants to use this passage to work in our hearts today. What do...

I really enjoyed studying Nehemiah 8. It shows the importance of our attitude toward the Word of God. The people respected Scripture. They stood for hours to listen to the reading and explanation of it.  However, they didn't only listen. As they listened, God's Word changed their heart and attitude. They did not walk away the same but made major changes to their lives. That is the power...

The walls are finished. What next?  There is more work to be done. The people and the nation are still in a fragile state. It is often after a big victory that temptation strikes the hardest. What will Nehemiah do to help the people keep pushing forward? Nehemiah 7 is a transition to the life of Israel after the wall was rebuilt. Nehemiah 7 - Bible study companions questions available on our websi...

This sermon looks at the first servant song in Isaiah 42. What is the identity of the servant? What was his character like? What was his mission? We will dive deep into the text to understand who the servant is and what we can learn from him today. This is a message originally shared with Guangzhou International Christian Fellowship on May 23, 2023.  Support the show

Plots. Intrigue. Schemes. Opposition. Temptation. Conspiracy. The closer Nehemiah and the people got to finishing the wall, the more intense the opposition they faced.  In this chapter, every manner of attack and distraction is thrown at Nehemiah to try to derail his mission. Nehemiah responds to each one with boldness and wit.  This Bible study will give practical ideas on how to deal with attack...

Nehemiah had faced and handled intense opposition from outside. Now the nation faced an internal crisis. The rich were exploiting the poor. They were taking advantage of others because they could. Not only was this practice against the law, it threatened the very existence of the Jewish remnant. When Nehemiah heard of this problem, he quickly mobilized to deal with it. The methods he used were qui...

Serving God is often not easy. Nehemiah was serious about helping God's people. He had spent months planning, preparing, and praying. God opened the door for him to go to Jerusalem with the blessing of the king and rebuild the walls. The people were united and the work began. Everything seemed to be going well. But where God is working, his enemies are also active. Nehemiah faced extremely in...

After months of prayer, preparation, and planning, it was time to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah organized the people into groups, and each group repaired the wall in front of their own homes. From this Bible study on Nehemiah 3, we can learn important lessons about unity, team, diligence, and perseverance.  No matter their background or occupation, every person had a role to play. When they worked to...

Nehemiah had spent months praying about the desperate state of his people and the city of Jerusalem. This showed his heart of compassion. But Nehemiah didn't just think about the problem, he was a man of action. When the opportunity to talk to the king came, Nehemiah sprang into action. This chapter shows how powerful it can be when a lifestyle of private prayer is linked with spontaneous pra...

Nehemiah is very practical book about a very interesting time in Israel's history. From the Bible study on this book, we will learn key themes about perseverance, prayer, building God's kingdom, leadership, and temptation. Nehemiah 1 looks at the background of the time period. There is a problem. The city of Jerusalem and its walls are in disrepair. Enter Nehemiah. He is cup-bearer to th...

This sermon was originally shared in church on April 9th, 2023 for resurrection Sunday. It looks at the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. The chapter is emotionally moving and rich theologically. Learn how the important lessons within can change your life today. Support the show

This Philemon 17-25 Bible study concludes Paul's letter to Philemon. In his appeal on behalf of the slave (now his brother) Onesimus, Paul gets personal. He uses every tool in his toolbox to encourage Philemon to do the right thing and forgive.  Paul's intensely personal appeal reminds us how important it is to care for others and use every way possible to encourage them to follow the Lo...

 This Philemon 11-16 Bible study looks at Paul's appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Paul was an apostle and could have commanded Philemon what to do. But instead, he asks him.  Join us to learn some of the reasons why asking can often be better than commanding. Philemon 11-16 - Bible study companions questions available on our website - https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/ph...

The word forgiveness is not found in the book of Philemon, but the principle of Christian forgiveness permeates throughout.  In this letter, you will see that the principles of Christian love and kindness change lives, relationships, and society. These changes are not top-down. They are not accomplished through revolution. Rather, things change as God's grace touches people one by one in a pe...

This Bible study on Titus 3:8-15 looks at the importance of focusing on important issues and not getting sidetracked. There are many things that can derail us from living fruitful lives for the Lord. One is debating and arguing about foolish things. Paul makes it clear to Titus that believers should not get sucked into such fruitless discussion. It takes mental discipline and most importantly focu...

This Bible study on Titus 3:1-7 looks at how the gospel transforms our life in mind, attitude, and behavior toward others. God gives us high standards to follow such as being perfectly courteous toward all! It is the Holy Spirit who gives us new life and direction and empowers us to live for Him.  Learn about how Christ gives new life and what that practically means for you in this verse-by-verse...

 This Titus 2:11-15 Bible study reminds us of the grace of God in our life. God's grace appeared in the flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. Those who experience that grace will not ever be the same. He transforms our minds, attitudes, behavior, and perspective. In this study be refreshed by the grace of God and motivated to declare it to others.  Titus 2:11-15- Bible study companions questions...

Titus 2:6-10 continues looking at the roles of believers in the church, focusing on young men and servants. Also, what does the Bible say about slaves?  Learn how the Bible speaks out about slavery and also how how Christian principles can change society from the inside out. Titus 2:6-10- Bible study companions questions available on our website - https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/tit...

Titus 2:1-5 Bible study looks at the roles of each member in a healthy church. No one should consider that their role is insignificant. Every single believer has a part to play from the older men and women to those who are younger.  Learn about the character God is looking for in you so that you can actively build up the body. Is your role important? What is it? Check out this study to find out. T...

Titus 1:9-16 Bible study looks at how church leaders are to deal with false teaching. Many churches have gone astray because leaders haven't held on to God's Word firmly as Paul commands them to do here. Learn about the importance of holding on to Scripture and avoiding slippery slopes of compromise that lead the flock away from God. Titus 1:9-16 - Bible study companions questions availa...

Titus 1:1-8 Bible study looks at Paul's greeting, his relationship with Titus, and instructions on the qualifications for church elders. A healthy church begins with healthy leadership. We look at some of the reasons why the Biblical model of a team of elders is beneficial. Then we look at specific qualifications for choosing elders. These character qualities are something every believer shou...

Daniel 12 Bible study looks at two important end-time topics, the tribulation and the final resurrection. Knowing that death is not the end and all people, believers and unbelievers, will be raised to face God directly affects our life right now. The resurrection reminds us that we all have personal accountability for the life that we live. It means that our lives right now are more meaningful and...