We open our singing this Sabbath with the greatest of leaders being in Hymn 619, “Lead On O King Eternal”. We then look to Ezra and Nehemiah and find that they were very faithful to God: Hymn 602, “O Brother, Be Faithful”. Their leadership is reflected in Hymn 653, “Lead Them, My God, to Thee”. … Continue reading –>
Because they understood. The book of Nehemiah delivers a refreshing image about the value of leadership among God’s people. How can we apply the importance of God-inspired leadership to our fellow Christians today? Do you consider yourself to be one of God’s leaders today? If not, why not? Does God have a leadership role for … Continue reading –>
Just as Ezra and Nehemiah were asking the Israelites to stand up for their God, today we can shout “Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!”, Hymn 618 and Hymn 610, “Stand Like the Brave”. Nehemiah used the “Wonderful Words of Life”, Hymn 286, Deuteronomy 28, to curse the people for their wrong-doing while teaching them what … Continue reading –>
Too ashamed. Imagine Ezra wailing, “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens’ ” (Ezra 9:6, NKJV). And what seemed to be the main cause of the iniquity spreading everywhere? Mixed marriage! What? … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Nehemiah contended with those who had made bad choices in marrying those who had no desire to follow God or were idolators. . December 21, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 13:23-25. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. Why did Nehemiah … Continue reading –>
Hymn 297, “God Be Merciful to Me” opens our singing for Sabbath School this week in the cleansing process learned in the Memory Text. Nehemiah 13:22 goes on to request that Sabbath be a sanctified day: Hymn 381, “Holy Sabbath Day of Rest” and Hymn 388, “Don’t Forget the Sabbath”. Nehemiah came back to the … Continue reading –>
Here’s an example of backsliding! Did your jaw drop an inch when you read the description at the opening of our lesson describing the backsliding of God’s people while Nehemiah had been away from Babylon? Imagine if this were your church–no more tithes or offerings, secular meetings held on sabbath in the church, young people encouraged … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: When Nehemiah returned, the people had stopped giving tithes and offerings, stopped keeping the Sabbath properly, and were intermarrying with other nations around them.. . December 14, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 13:1-9. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. Who … Continue reading –>
Our title this week gives us the first hymn: Hymn 6, “O Worship the Lord”. The memory verse is in Hymn 29, “Sing Praise to God”, Hymn 37, “O Sing, My Soul, Your Maker’s Praise”, Hymn 105, “Sing to the Great Jehovah’s Praise”, Hymn 276, “Thanks to God” and Hymn 563, “Praise and Thanksgiving”. On … Continue reading –>
Worshiping practices of the Hebrews. Our memory text tell us how the Jewish people of the Old Testament worshiped God. In the lessons presented this quarter, God’s children are celebrating the dedication of the temple’s wall. Have you ever participated in a heartfelt celebration of a new church wall? What made this portion of the sacred building … Continue reading –>
