Life Group Questions
1. Josh’s first sermon point was that good intentions alone don’t lead to great outcomes, but the good work does. Although being “bothered” by something is the first step, it’s not the last.
Question: If you’re comfortable doing so, share one area God may be “bothering” you to be a part of the solution to that issue. Are your good intentions transforming into faithful obedience as we saw with Nehemiah? If not, what are some things that may be blocking that move from intentions to actions?
2. Josh’s second sermon point was to not force the outcome of your good work in your own strength, rather depend on God to give the increase (as we saw with Nehemiah).
Question: Have you ever tried really hard to try and make something work out? Whether in ministry or in your personal life (e.g., work, relationships, etc.)? How did that work out? What could you have done differently in light of trusting God for the results?
3. Josh’s third sermon point was to not underestimate God’s power in the outcome of your good work.
Question: Can you think of a time where you believed God was calling you to do something, but perhaps you let the fear of failure cancel out that good work? What do you think are some ways we can combat these lies from the enemy?
4. Josh’s fourth sermon point was to not compare the outcome of your good work with someone else’s. We saw that Nehemiah got dirty/built the wall, but Ezra the priest led a revival of 50,000 people. It almost can seem as if Nehemiah worked “harder” than Ezra but got less of an outcome.
Question: Have you ever felt like you deserved more than someone else because maybe you worked harder? Have you ever wished the outcome of your good work looked like (or even better than) someone else’s? What are some reasons this thinking is toxic to our growth?
5. Josh’s fifth (and final) sermon point was that the good work is never over while on earth. We shouldn’t have a “one and done” mentality (i.e., after one work I’m done). After Nehemiah built the wall, he governed for about 12 more years and did some other good works as well.
Question: Is it tempting for to “retire” in your Christianity? That is, maybe you did something great for God in the past and your okay with living off that experience from now on. Think of some ways you can stay active for God and motivate others to continue being sensitive to God’s leading.
