Memory Verse:
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Bottom Line: Care enough to compose your story.
Questions
1. What kind of story had Nehemiah been composing prior to this passage? What happened to that story? Did Nehemiah destroy his own story, or did other people? Explain your answer.
2. What did Nehemiah do when he saw what the Israelites were doing? How did his actions show that he cared about his story and his legacy?
3. How did Nehemiah act to compose his story? How did Nehemiah’s actions show that he knew God and God’s commands? Do you think these actions were easy for him? Explain your answer.
4. How can you act to compose your story today? What are some of the actions that you think you should take? What would it look like for you to take these actions? What do you think will happen if you take them?
5. How can you run these potential actions through the filter of what you know about God? How can this group help you evaluate these potential actions so that they honor God and the legacy He wants you to have now and later?
[a little more…]
Bring in a spool of yarn and cut off a six-inch piece of yarn for each student. Hand out a piece of yarn to each student and have the students tie the yarn around one finger. As they do, tell them that people have traditionally tied a piece of string around their fingers to help them remember something. Then remind your students of Nehemiah’s prayer in this passage – “remember me for this, O my God.” Tell the students that this piece of string is a symbol to remind them that God remembers them and joins them as they compose their stories. Then close your group time with a prayer thanking God for how He remembers us and joins with us as we compose our stories. In this prayer, ask God to continue to remember you and your students, just as Nehemiah asked God to do.
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