1. Choosing those qualified to fight wickedness. Why does God seem to choose insignificant folks like Nehemiah and Ruth to play key roles in the war against evil? What should be the primary focus of our thinking before we arrive at the day of deliverance? 

2. David, Goliath and Bathsheba. There’s a trio to contend with! Our lesson points to the extreme opposites that are present in the same person who is called to be a child of God. What about David? What were his worst characteristics? his biggest stumbling block? His besetting sin? How could a man go from defeating a feared enemy of God’s people, Goliath, and then turn around and lust after a married woman, Bathsheba? Why did God forgive him? Did God accept David wholeheartedly? Does He offer to accept us in the same way?  

3. Elisha the Tishbite. Imagine telling the chief ruler of a large nation that there will be no rain in that country for three years. What gave Elisha the courage to do that every thing? What mighty conflict does Elisha set up for a contrast between God’s way and man’s? Some of us like to watch sporting events with a close score. Did the people watching Elisha pour water on the rocks before lighting a fire think of this as a disaster or a miracle about to happen? Were they shocked? surprised? dismayed? to see the results?

4. Words of Defiance.  Why did God choose to allow the people of the northern kingdom of Israel to be scattered among the people of heathen nations? First the Assyrians captured Judah’s strongest cities and then asked Israel to surrender Jerusalem to them. What measures did King Hezekiah take to thwart this plan by the Assyrians? Surrounded by enemies, God’s people woke up expecting to see Jerusalem falling to the Assyrian conquest. Instead, what did they see? Is it always a good idea to trust God? Always? Then why do we sometimes fail to do so? 

5. Esther.  What was Satan’s objective in persuading the king to eliminate all of the Jews? What practice of the Jewish people was especially offensive to the Persian monarchy? How will this scene replicate itself in the final days of this world’s history? Christians, in general, are well thought of. What can you think of that will bring about a sense of universal hatred against the church and a desire to destroy it? Do we need brave women (and men) like Esther to defend the church against anarchy? 

6. Nehemiah. Our lesson author asks a quizzical question: Do we need a person like Nehemiah in our church in these final days before Jesus comes? What do you think?Why? or why not? Imagine being with Nehemiah as he walks through the city prior to carrying out his plans to rebuild the Holy City of Jerusalem. What would you say to comfort him? What was reaction by officials who had no legal standing with the City of Jerusalem but wanted to make a difference? 

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