1 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’“ You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.

1. Opportunity

When God opens our eyes to see an opportunity, he’ll open the door to accomplish it.

2. Opposition

Instead of fighting the opposition, stay focused on the opportunity.

9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

3. Overcome

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

Have each person share a high and low from this past week.

When God makes a way to begin the work, he will be faithful to make a way to finish it.

Which do you prefer: building something new or rebuilding something to be new?

Choose one or two questions for your group to discuss as time allows.

- Read 2 Cor. 4:17 and Romans 12:2. What is the offer in these verses? How would that affect our daily lives?

- What are some types of “walls” that we may be called to rebuild?

- What kinds of opposition distract people from finishing the work?

- Billy Graham said, “If Christianity is valid, why is there so much evil in the world? With so much soap, why are there so many dirty people in the world? Christianity, like soap, must be personally applied if it is to make a difference in our lives.” Why is it significant to move from affirming a concern to embracing a calling?

- Read Nehemiah 6:9 (NIV). What would be a more common response to the distractions Nehemiah received?

Spend 1-2 minutes in silence with these questions then share your thoughts.

Do you already have a “wall” you are working on? If so, what will it take to remain focused on the opportunity?

If you don’t already have a “wall,” how will you choose? What will be your first step?

Pray that together we would offer transformed living to a watching world.