Leader Guide

Teaching

Place boxes on the floor in random order. Have a child select Signpost Box 1 and read the attached card aloud. Then have the child place the box on the floor with the card facing the children. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost Boxes. Have each reader stack the box on the previous box to build make a wall. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Let’s answer the question that was asked in Large Group. What are some ways that Nehemiah displayed God’s joy and encouraged his workers?

Signpost 1 Compassion and Prayer

Nehemiah was a wonderful leader who trusted in God even when being mocked and opposed. The qualities of Nehemiah point us to the greatest leader the world has ever known—Jesus! Nehemiah prayed before making important decisions and when faced with challenges. The Bible tells us to never stop praying! Nehemiah was driven or motivated by compassion. When he heard about those who were suffering in Jerusalem, he wept. The Bible tells us that Jesus was filled with compassion for the people who came to Him. He took care of their needs by feeding and healing them.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 1:4–6:

⁴ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands, ⁶ listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!

1 Thessalonians 5:17:

Never stop praying.

Philippians 4:6:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

John 17:15 (nkjv):

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

Matthew 9:36:

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Signpost 2 Humbleness and Service

Both Jesus and Nehemiah showed humility in their leadership. Nehemiah sacrificed his position of authority and power with the king of Persia to do God’s work. Do you remember what his position was with the king? Cup-bearer.

In Jerusalem, he could have given orders from a comfortable office. Do you remember what Nehemiah did instead? He worked alongside everyone else as they rebuilt the wall.

Jesus, the Son of God, chose to humble Himself as a man. He came down to Earth from heaven to die for us! Jesus told His disciples that whoever wanted to be a leader must first become something to others. Do you remember what that was? A servant to others.

Yes, Nehemiah and Jesus became servants to others instead of expecting others to serve them.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 5:15–17:

¹⁵ The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way . ¹⁶ I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. ¹⁷ I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands!

Matthew 20:26–28:

²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."

John 6:38,40 (nkjv):

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Philippians 2:5–7:

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Signpost 3 Examples of Courage and Obedience

Nehemiah was obedient to God and devoted his life to doing the will of God. Many times, Nehemiah bravely stood up to Sanballat, Tobiah and others. His enemies tried to intimidate him and threaten him; even so, Nehemiah displayed great courage and would not allow God’s work to stop. He continually encouraged his workers not to be afraid and to trust God. Jesus came down from heaven to do the will of God. He was obedient, even unto death. He always spoke the truth courageously. And, when necessary, He took bold action against evil and sinful people.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Nehemiah 6:2–4,9:

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. 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.

Nehemiah 4:14:

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Philippians 2:5–8:

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, ⁸ He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Matthew 21:12–13:

¹² Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. ¹³ He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

Nehemiah gives us a great example of humbleness, obedience and leadership. And of course, our perfect example in every way is Jesus!

Read 1 Peter 2:21 (nkjv):

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

Now, let’s move on to the Discipleship Challenge and continue our challenge of building rock-solid faith!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Faith Wall and Stone Patterns to children who missed the previous lessons so they may assemble their crafts at home.

This is the last lesson for our Discipleship Challenge about building rock solid faith in God!

Who can fill in the blanks of the Discipleship verse for Lesson 2; Matthew 7:24? “Anyone who ____ to My teaching and follows it is _____, like a person who builds a house on solid ____.” Listens, wise, rock.

Why is it important to hear—and to follow—God’s Word? If we hear God’s Word but don’t obey it, our faith will not stand strong. We must put God’s Word into practice.

What advantage is there in building a house on rock instead of sand, and how does that apply to building our spiritual faith? Sand can erode or be washed away. It changes and isn’t a solid or strong foundation. A rock stands through storms and doesn’t change. God’s Word never changes, so it provides a strong and sure foundation to build on.

The Discipleship Challenge for Lesson 3 is to fill in the blanks for the final scripture on the craft, 1 Corinthians 3:11, then discuss the questions on the back at home.