God’s Plan for Your Neighborhood

“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” (Nehemiah 4:6)

God has a plan for my neighborhood and we all have an important role to play. (Nehemiah 3)

• “Kingdom progress” is made as God’s people turn to the Lord.
• “Kingdom progress” is made as God’s people work together in unity.
• “Kingdom progress” is made when there is local ownership.
• “Kingdom progress” is made as we understand our great value and significance in God’s sight.

God has a plan for my neighborhood even in the midst of serious opposition. (Nehemiah 4)

• “Regular” opposition and the right response
• “Serious” opposition and a serious plan

What’s your role to play in God’s plan for your neighborhood?

• How can you have a “kingdom impact” in your neighborhood?
• How can you have a “kingdom impact” wherever you find yourself throughout the week?

Discussion GUIDE

1. Think about your neighborhood. What are some of the great things about it? What are some of the things that could be better? What are some of the things that you think might break God’s heart about your neighborhood?
2. This week we continue our series, “Love Your Neighborhood,” by looking at the story of Nehemiah and his quest to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem. Whether you are alone or with a small group, begin by asking God to speak to you and then read Nehemiah 3 & 4.
3. Do you ever feel like God doesn’t notice your work for him? Do you ever feel like your work for the Lord is insignificant? Look through Nehemiah 3 and notice all of the different people that God used in the work of rebuilding.
   1. • What are some of the details that are recorded about the specific work that they did and even the attitude that they had as they did God’s work?
   2. • How is this an encouragement to us today as we serve the Lord in our neighborhoods and in our everyday lives?
4. Scan through chapter 3 & 4 and pick out all of the instances where Nehemiah or the people turned to the Lord and acknowledged God during the rebuilding process. What can we learn from this as we serve the Lord in our neighborhoods and in our daily interactions with others?
5. In chapter 4 when Nehemiah and the people face intense opposition, they constantly turn to the Lord in prayer and they put together a specific plan to overcome the opposition. What has been some of the opposition that you have faced in your life that prevented you from serving the Lord completely? What can we learn from chapter 4 as we face opposition in doing God’s will?
6. In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches us how to pray. Read this passage out loud. In verse 10 Jesus tells us to pray that God’s kingdom would come, and that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.
   1. What would it look like for God’s kingdom to come in your neighborhood, in your workplace, at your school, in your group of friends? What would that look like in Milwaukee?
   2. What can you do to make the kingdom of God more of a reality in your neighborhood and in your daily life as you interact with others?
7. What is God leading you to do in order to make a “kingdom impact” in your neighborhood or in the neighborhood around Eastbrook Church?