Hey there, church folks! This is Vince Miller, and I'm grateful you're joining me once again as we dive into God's Word. Today, we're kicking off a brand new journey through the book of Nehemiah, and I've got it right here in my hands. I'm pretty excited about it, and I think you'll love this book too.

First things first, I'd like to encourage you to head over to our website and grab the scripture journal that goes along with this book of the Bible. Having God's word in your hands can be a game-changer. This journal is designed with scripture on one side and space for your notes on the other, just like the one I'm using right here. It's a great way to chronicle your own spiritual journey because remember, it's not just about gaining wisdom and knowledge; it's about being transformed by God's word. That's the real power of reading the Bible.

So here's my prayer for you as we journey through Nehemiah: I hope and pray that you'll be changed as a man, a leader, a husband, and a father. Because that's what this book is all about – spiritual leadership – and we're going to explore that together.

Now, Nehemiah isn't just about one man; it's a two-part book. Ezra and Nehemiah are like two slices of bread in one sandwich, written by a guy named Ezra. In this chronicle, we'll get to know three incredible spiritual leaders: Zerubbabel, Ezra, and, of course, Nehemiah. Each of them had a unique role during their time in Babylonian captivity.

First up is Zerubbabel, who was responsible for rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem during this challenging period. He took on the monumental task of constructing the second temple after Solomon's time.

Next, we have Ezra, a priest and scribe who played a crucial role in re-engaging God's people with the Torah and guiding them back to the word of God. His work was all about bringing the people back to their spiritual roots.

Finally, Nehemiah enters the scene. He's tasked with the rapid reconstruction of the walls around Jerusalem. What's fascinating about these three stories is that each of these men believed that their political and social efforts would lead to religious reform. But they soon realized that despite their best efforts, the people of God were still deeply sinful and often chose their own way.

This actually points us forward in history, about 400 years, to a man named Jesus. He was the perfect prophet, priest, and king – something Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah couldn't fully achieve. So, as we journey through this book, you can expect to learn valuable leadership principles while also discovering the need for salvation by the one true Savior, King Jesus, who serves as our prophet, priest, and king.

Stay tuned, and let's explore Nehemiah together!

ASK THIS:

In this introduction to the book of Nehemiah, Vince mentioned that each of the three leaders—Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah—initially believed that political and social reform would lead to religious reform among God's people. However, they faced disappointment in this regard. Reflect on a time in your life when you had expectations for change in a specific area, but things didn't turn out as you had hoped. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your perspective on change and transformation, especially in a spiritual context?

Vince emphasized the importance of being transformed by God's Word rather than just gaining knowledge. How do you personally approach your study of the Bible to ensure that it leads to transformation in your life? Are there specific practices or strategies you employ to apply what you read in Scripture to your daily life? Share your insights and experiences with the group, and discuss how you can encourage one another to be more intentional about transformation through the Word of God.

DO THIS: Purchase your Nehemiah Scripture Journal.

PRAY THIS: Lord, as I embark on this journey through the book of Nehemiah, I pray that you open my heart and mind to the transformative power of your Word, helping me to grow as a man, leader, husband, and father. May I find inspiration and wisdom in these pages and draw closer to you each day. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Prophet, Priest, and King.