Bible Study Intensive

Last week, we saw Jesus claim to the the light of the world. The reaction to this statement from the Jews is that they pick up stones to try and kill him. It is all together fitting that the next encounter Jesus has with a broken man demonstrates the truth of His identity.

Last week we saw Jesus escaping a difficult situation with the Pharisees and in the process He redeemed a woman. Does it get any better than seeing that happen? He is in the business of doing that for us.

Some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53-8:11. However, references by the church fathers to this event can be traced back to AD 100, which gives us validity to include it in our study. There is some debate about the exact time this took place in the ministry of Jesus.

This next section is important in regard to understanding what Jesus is proclaiming to the people. Jesus is talking about fulfilling their request for more bread in a very unique way, for a specific time and in eternity.

As we left Jesus last week He had made some very strong claims. No man ever made these claims before. According to the law of Moses for such a claim to be proved true there had to be two witnesses. (Deut.17:6)

We saw Jesus meet the woman at the well just as she was, with no judgement or prejudice. She opened her life to Jesus and then she opens the eyes of the townspeople and brings them to Jesus.

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...