8. 25. 2024 Sunday school
Today, we’re going to share Nehemiah's story. Who is Nehemiah? It’s the full name of Neo. Nehemiah’s name means “The Lord’s Comfort.” Let’s listen to how God comforted the Israelites through Nehemiah.
2. Let’s read today’s Bible verse together:
"Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem!"
—Nehemiah 2:17
3.
Once upon a time, there was a country called Persia. Persia was a huge and powerful nation. Many people were made slaves of Persia.
4.
Nehemiah, who was from Judah in Jerusalem, was one of them. But he was always someone who prayed to God.
“God, how can I live today to please You? God, what can I do for You?”
5.
One day, Nehemiah heard the sad news. His hometown was in ruins. Everything was destroyed, and the walls that protected God’s temple had all fallen down. Nehemiah was heartbroken.
6.
He was a very faithful officer to the king and the king trusted him so much.
So the king of Persia allowed Nehemiah to return to his hometown to rebuild the walls of the temple.
7.
Friends, imagine that your house was destroyed, your school was gone, and everything was broken. How would you feel? All the people of Israel were in despair. They were so sad.
“We have no home, the walls are destroyed. We’re going to be even weaker.”
8.
Nehemiah comforted the people and said, “Friends, Don’t be sad, God is always with us. Let’s build a new wall! Everyone, rise up! Let’s rebuild!”
9.
“With God’s help, we can succeed!” Nehemiah was a great leader. The people of Israel all worked together to rebuild the wall.
10.
The strong adults carried bricks. The elderly prayed that the wall would be built well. The children helped the adults. Even people who lived far away joined in, eating, sleeping, and working together to build the wall.
They united their hears and minds for god’s glory.
11.
But other nation's people began to mock them. “What are those weak Jews doing?” “Do they think they can rebuild what’s been broken and burned?”
Still, the Israelites kept stacking bricks.
Nehemiah said, “Don’t listen to them. listen to God. strengthen your hands for this good work.”
12.
Then their enemies started attacking. Nehemiah said, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families!”
Half of the people built the wall, and the other half fought the enemies. (Even when they went to fetch water, they carried spears, and when they laid bricks, they always had a sword in hand.) They even kept their weapons with them at night, never taking off their clothes.
Do you think they finished building the wall?
13.
Praise the Lord! They completed the wall in just 52 days! The place that was once in ruins became beautiful again. Even their enemies were speechless when they saw the finished wall. They knew that God had helped the Israelites.
Nehemiah was a brave leader who loved God and the people. God always helped him. Let’s also ask for God’s help and strive to help others like Nehemiah did.
Let’s pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, today we learned about Nehemiah. He was brave and faithful. We pray that we can be brave and always pray to You like he did. In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
