Obeying the Bible - Nehemiah 8:5-10, 9:1-3, 10:28-29

By David Woods

The scriptures we are looking at for our lesson today talk about about a couple times of public worship and reading of God's Word in the ministry of Ezra, the priest.

Therefore, I think this lesson gives us a great opportunity to talk about our study of God's Word, especially in the public setting, and how we might enhance those times.

Read Nehemiah 8:5-10

Note that Ezra was probably sitting as he read the Law. He was on a raised platform in order that he was visible to all the people and able to be heard by everyone.

When Ezra opened the Bible, the people stood up as a visible sign of reverence for God's Word. We do not know for certain if they continued standing while he read from the Bible or not.

Discussion: I do not want to lesson the importance of other elements in a worship service - the singing, the giving of testimonies, prayer and the offering - but how can we make the reading/exposition of God's Word more central to why we are there?

Discussion: How can we respect and restore respect for God's Word?
(Stand for reading, mute cell phones, etc., quiet noisy children or take them, especially babies, to a nursing area. Maybe guidelines for how to show respect in the worship service should be posted in the bulletin every week?)

Discussion: Ravi Zacharis said in a message titled "Evangelistic Preaching in the 21st Century", given at the Amsterdam 2000 conference, that part of our job as communicators is to save/restore words/language. Why is it necessary for us to restore the definition of words while preaching/teaching God's Word?

Discussion: What are some ways the preacher/teacher can help the congregation hear and assimilate God's Word and his exposition better?
(Some preachers print out all scriptures they use in their sermon and include it in the bulletin, outlines, visual aids)

Discussion: How does the exposition of God's Word as the religious leaders did in Nehemiah 8:8 differ with some preaching/teaching of today?

Discussion: How does Nehemiah 8:8 teach us to approach the study of God's Word (whether in a public or private setting)?

Discussion: How can we develop and encourage visible, even physical, response to God's Word (in either a public or private setting)?

Read Nehemiah 9:1-3

Discussion: There are at least five elements of genuine revival mentioned in these verses what are they?
(Teacher: You may want to use a whiteboard and write responses. Answers: sorrow, separation, a return to or renewed emphasis on the study of God's Word, confession of sin, worship)

Read Nehemiah 10:28-29

Discussion: Would it be appropriate for a church to sign a covenant or make some kind of vow to God at the end of a week of revival services?

Discussion: Would the taking of vows to God/renewal of vows to God be appropriate on a regular basis (whether in a public or private setting)?

Discussion: How can we better encourage application of God's Word in both the public and private setting?