God wants to restore the broken

1. Get active

Follow the leader

Go for a short jog around the house or yard while everyone follows a chosen leader. Try to go to every room or space. The leader can change movements – side steps, high knees, and so on. Swap leaders.

2. Rest and talk

Driven by the sadness in his heart for his city and its people, Nehemiah faces his fears and approaches the king to seek permission, and support to return to Jerusalem. He gets permission to travel home and see the ruined city for himself. He is full of grief but shares his powerful vision of a restored city with the families there. This is what happens.

3. Read the Bible passage

Read Nehemiah 2:17-18.

4. Discuss

Find an object in your home you are prepared to break or smash and, without explanation, smash it (for example, a lego model you have made).

• How did it feel to see something perfectly good suddenly broken?

Nehemiah saw that the walls of Jerusalem had been broken. They were a disgrace.

• What are some of the broken parts of your community of which you are ashamed? (Hold a piece of the broken object as they are named.)

Look at Nehemiah’s four steps in responding to what God had put on his heart:

1. Explain the task
2. Give the reason why (No longer a disgrace/ashamed)
3. Remind everyone of God’s faithfulness
4. Call to action

Chat to God: How could God be calling you to bring something good into broken parts of your community/the world? Pray about these together and what actions God may place on your heart in response.

Tomorrow we’ll see how Nehemiah and God’s people respond when they face ridicule and opposition as they rebuild the walls.