In Session 1– WHY THIS BOOK?

The Book of Nehemiah is set in the 5th century BC and chronicles the return of Nehemiah, (a Jewish slave and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes) to Jerusalem to rebuild the city’s walls after the Babylonian exile.

His story illustrates how God can use ordinary people to accomplish great things in His name.  In addition to this, Nehemiah’s experience teaches us what to expect from God when He calls on us (gives us an assignment) to rise above our ordinary circumstances and build something in His name.

Nehemiah serves as a powerful yet practical example of Kingdom Greatness in action.

We aim to establish clear, direct connections between Nehemiah’s life and the concept of godly greatness for us as Christians. This framework will illustrate how Nehemiah embodied humility, servanthood, obedience, and faithfulness—hallmarks of Kingdom greatness—and how these qualities should guide us in our response to God’s call to serve today.

We learned the details of Nehemiah’s task – rebuilding the city walls of Jerusalem. To accomplish this, Nehemiah, a slave, prayed to God and asked Him to intervene for him at every step. His prayer serves as a model for us when we have been given a task from God. We must pray sincerely, respectfully, honestly, intelligently, specifically, and be patient while waiting for God’s response.

When God answered Nehemiah’s prayer, his response was detailed. He changed the King’s heart and gained the blessing as support for the project from the King and Queen, and then authorized and protected and guaranteed him safe passage. All of this because of prayer, submitted by a true man of God who understood obedience, love, and service.

IN SESSION 2 through the story of Nehemiah, we will learn how the spirit of Kingdom greatness plays out. His story presents us with a great example of obedience, love, and service – the essence of Kingdom Greatness. We will examine his assignment, challenges, prayers, and attitude, and close by reviewing what Jesus taught His disciples about greatness.

Bottom Line:  We learned that when we don’t take initiative—or only serve when it’s convenient—we send an unspoken message: God’s work is secondary to mine. But that’s not Kingdom greatness. That’s worldly culture creeping into the church. 

True servants—

• • Don’t wait to be told what to do.
  • Don’t need to be reminded to care.
  • Show up… and they step up. They lead with purpose.

They do this because they know every assignment in the house of God matters. Whether it’s a major ministry event or a simple task behind the scenes, when it’s done for the Lord, it’s part of something eternal.

Let’s rise up and BECOME Christians who model initiative, carry responsibility with joy, and serve—not for recognition, but because we are called.  That is true greatness in the Kingdom.

Do you realize that each of us is just a heartbeat away from greatness? I’m not talking about winning a gold medal at the Olympics or being President. I’m referring to the greatest honor that exists in all creation, throughout all of history. Paul describes it in II Timothy 2:11-12, If we died with (Jesus), we shall also live with Him; if we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

My question is this: “Who will be great, and who will merely come close to being great?” 

In God’s view, greatness isn’t awarded to the most charismatic teacher or the most visible leader. It’s reserved for the one who quietly and faithfully lives by His Word—and helps others do the same. Obedience matters. Faithfulness matters. Service matters even when no one notices.

The world may reward celebrity, talent, and success, but in the Kingdom of God, the criteria are different. True greatness is not found in fame or recognition, but in obeying God’s Word, sharing it faithfully, and living with humility.  It doesn’t elevate the loud but honors the humble.

Don’t spend an eternity in regret because you were so close but didn’t close the gap in time. Decide that you want to be great in God’s Kingdom! Submit and obey the gospel, be restored, start being faithful, confess your sins, start serving — Be great today!

IN SESSION 3 we learned how Nehemiah took good advantage of the blessings God had made possible for him.  Nehemiah’s story is not just about a building project; it’s about spiritual leadership, faithful obedience, and God’s call to restore what is broken — in nations, churches, families, and individual hearts.

Here are five timeless lessons we can apply today:

Begin with Prayer – Nehemiah teaches that before any meaningful action comes deep dependence on God. His first response to devastating news wasn’t to plan, blame, or despair — it was to pray (Nehemiah 1:4-11). Application: When faced with personal crises, family struggles, or ministry challenges, prayer must be our starting point — not our backup plan.

Obedience May Require Risk – Approaching King Artaxerxes was dangerous; any sadness shown before a Persian king could result in death. Yet Nehemiah risked his life for God’s mission (Nehemiah 2:2). Application: Following God’s call may mean stepping outside of comfort zones, risking reputation, or facing personal sacrifice. Faithful obedience often costs something, but God honors those steps.

Face Opposition with Courage and Strategy – Nehemiah faced ridicule, conspiracy, and physical threats. His enemies tried psychological warfare (“You won’t succeed!”) and intimidation (Neh. 4:1–3, 6:1–14). Instead of abandoning the mission, Nehemiah armed the workers, set guards, and encouraged them to trust in God’s greatness (Nehemiah 4:14). Application: When rebuilding broken areas of life — faith, relationships, ministries — expect opposition. It’s not a sign to quit. It’s a signal to press deeper into God’s strength.

Lead with Integrity and Compassion – Unlike corrupt leaders who burdened the people, Nehemiah refused the governor’s food allowance and personally funded meals for others (Nehemiah 5:14-19). He led by example, choosing service over self-interest. Application: Godly leadership today — whether in families, workplaces, or churches — must be marked by compassion, fairness, generosity, and personal sacrifice.

God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes – Nehemiah wasn’t a priest, prophet, or king. He was a layperson — a civil servant with a burning heart for God’s glory. Application:  You don’t need a special title to be used by God. Passion, prayer, perseverance, and obedience are what He looks for.

IN SESSION 4 Every believer will face seasons where something vital needs rebuilding — faith, relationships, health, purpose, or community. Nehemiah’s example shows us that prayer and perseverance are not optional; they are essential for lasting restoration.

Prayer Anchors Us in God’s Strength

Throughout the book of Nehemiah, prayer is the steady undercurrent beneath every action:  Long, passionate prayers (Nehemiah 1:5–11), Quick, urgent prayers (“arrow prayers”) when facing pressure (Nehemiah 2:4), and Prayers of confession, intercession, and dedication (Nehemiah 9).

Nehemiah recognized that human effort alone could not accomplish a God-sized mission. Prayer kept his heart humble, his motives pure, and his strength renewed.  When we attempt rebuilding projects in our lives — spiritual renewal, restoring broken relationships, mending ministries — we must first build our foundation in prayer. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s vision, not just our own desires.

Perseverance Protects Us Against Discouragement

Nehemiah’s workers were mocked, threatened, exhausted, and fearful (Nehemiah 4:10-11). Yet Nehemiah called them to “remember the Lord, who is great and awesome” and to keep building (Nehemiah 4:14).  Despite relentless attacks, they finished rebuilding the wall in only 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15) — an incredible testament to perseverance under pressure.

Discouragement, delays, and difficulties are normal parts of any rebuilding process. Perseverance rooted in God’s promises helps us move forward, even when progress feels slow or opposition feels overwhelming.

Rebuilding Is a Community Effort

Nehemiah didn’t rebuild Jerusalem alone. Every family repaired the section of the wall closest to their home (Nehemiah 3). Nobles, priests, craftsmen, goldsmiths, and perfumers — all contributed.

Our personal and communal rebuilding efforts thrive when we work together. God designed us for community — to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25), and finish the work as a unified body.

The Result: A Testimony to God’s Glory

When the surrounding nations saw the wall completed, they were afraid because they realized it had been accomplished with the help of God (Nehemiah 6:16).

When we persevere through prayer and rebuild what seems impossible, our success points others not to our skills but to the power and faithfulness of God.

So, what’s in it for me?  What’s the up-side?

1. Expect – Resources

When God gives you a job to do, He doesn’t send you out empty handed – He will provide the resources you need to finish the job.

2. Expect – Opposition

Just because it is God that gives the job and the objective is to honor Him, this doesn’t mean that it will be easy.

3. Expect – Victory

Nehemiah used resources and withstood the enemy, the threats, the internal divisions, the fatigue, and the discouragement, and in 52 days he built the wall! When God gives us a job to do, He provides the resources, sustains us through trouble, and He expects victory. So should we!

Ok, so now- what’s the down-side?

1. Understand that finishing is always harder than starting.

So many of life’s great ideas, projects, plans, businesses, careers, relationships, missions – have been left unfinished because people didn’t understand this simple but import truth.  So many people don’t realize that the “rush” and enthusiasm that accompanies the beginning of a project, rarely lasts until the end.  The ones who crossed the finish line knew from the beginning that the end was going to be much, much harder than the start. This is one of the reasons Nehemiah succeeded. His starting line was the wall, and it was a 52-day adrenaline rush.

No matter what the obstacles, you are not going to quit. The difference between failure and success is not just strength, wealth or talent, the real difference between individuals is the resolution not to quit under any circumstances. Oh, yes, God provides the resources, the direction and the victory, but we are the ones that decide if we are going to persevere or not. Actually, the true point of victory happens at the moment you decide not to quit, no matter what the cost. People can treat you unfairly, make life difficult; circumstances can work against you, but only you remain in control of the decision to quit or not.

2. Remember that rewards are only given to finishers, not starters.

Quitters have stories, excuses, complaints – but the prizes go to those who finish. God preserved the history of Nehemiah’s ministry because he finished his task, otherwise the book would be about someone else.  No matter what you are building in the name of the Lord, I pray that you will, with God’s grace and mercy, complete the task and receive the imperishable crown of life as you cross the finish line.

So, what now? What does this mean for us?

It means we must stop measuring greatness by worldly standards and begin aligning our lives with the values of the Kingdom. God is still looking for Nehemiah’s — people who are faithful in small things, focused on His mission, and willing to serve without applause. He rewards greatness not just with the promise of heaven, but with purpose, peace, and spiritual fruit in this life.

Now is a good time to reflect. What have you learned in this study? What challenged you? What inspired you? Is there a virtue—like humility, obedience, or perseverance—that God is calling you to grow in?  Is there a broken place in your family, your church, your community that He’s inviting you to help rebuild?  Maybe there’s a fear you need to surrender or a distraction that’s been keeping you from fully serving.

Nehemiah was great not because he was perfect, but because he said “yes” to God and followed through. You can do the same. You don’t need a title to be great. You just need to be faithful, prayerful, and willing.

Let this series mark a turning point—not just in what you know, but in how you live. The path to greatness is open to anyone who chooses to walk it. So, walk it well. Serve quietly. Lead boldly. Love deeply. And finish faithfully.

God sees you—and He will not forget your work or your love for His people!