OT 76 Nehemiah Builds the Wall

Reference: Nehemiah 1-6

Story Summary: 
     Nehemiah was the wine taster for King Artaxerxes. He was saddened that the walls of Jerusalem, the city of God's people were broken down. He asked God for help.
     When the king saw he was sad, he asked Nehemiah why and he told him about the walls of Jerusalem. The king decided to let Nehemiah return and rebuild the walls, as long as he came back when he was finished.
     Nehemiah arrived and quickly got the people to help him start rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. But two men of the land, Tobiah and Sanballat, didn't want the Jews to rebuild the walls of the city. They mocked Nehemiah, his workers, and their broken down wall, but the workers kept building.
     When Tobiah, Sanballat, and others threatened to hurt them, the people were ready to quit. But Nehemiah told them to remember that God was with them. They worked night and day, with half of the people building the wall and the others standing guard. They carried supplies in one hand and a sword in the other.
     God kept Nehemiah safe from Tobiah and Sanballat's repeated tricks and threats. And after 52 days, Nehemiah and the workers finished the wall.

Big Idea and Motions: Don’t fear your enemies. The Lord is powerful.
Fear - put your hands on your cheeks and look scared
Enemies - raise your fists
Lord - point up
Powerful - flex your muscles

Verse and Motions: Psalm 23:4, ESV - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Walk - walk your feet in place
Valley - form a “V” with your hands by placing the bottom of both palms together
Shadow of death - cross your arms in an “X” over your chest and bow your head
Fear no evil - stand boldly, like a brave superhero
You - point up
With me - hug yourself

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was Nehemiah’s job? // Wine taster for the king
Why was Nehemiah sad? // The walls of Jerusalem were broken down
Did King Artaxerxes let Nehemiah leave to rebuild the wall? // Yes
Who were the two guys who tried to stop Nehemiah? // Tobiah and Sanballat
What kinds of things did Tobiah and Sanballat do? // Make fun, lie, say they were going to hurt them
When the workers were ready to quit, who reminded them that God was with them? // Nehemiah
How did Nehemiah have the workers protect themselves? // Gave swords to guards, some worked with one hand and had a sword in the other
Why did Tobiah and Sanballat tell Nehemiah in a letter to meet them in a far away place? // To hurt him
How long did it take for the people to finish the wall? // 52 days
Who does Psalm 23 tell us God is like? // A good shepherd who protects his sheep.

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