Leading God’s People Leading God’s People God’s WayGod’s Way

Lesson 6 – The Law of NavigationLesson 6 – The Law of Navigation

The Law of The Law of NavigationNavigation

Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the courseleader to chart the course

Luke 14:28-30 Luke 14:28-30 2828"Suppose one of you wants to build a "Suppose one of you wants to build a

tower. Will he not first sit down and tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? money to complete it? 2929For if he lays the For if he lays the

foundation and is not able to finish it, foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

3030saying, 'This fellow began to build and saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'.”was not able to finish.'.”

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus talks about In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus talks about the importance of planning before the importance of planning before you undertake an important you undertake an important endeavor. Why do you think endeavor. Why do you think planning is important to success?planning is important to success?

b)b) Have you ever gone on a trip? Have you ever gone on a trip? Discuss the various aspects of Discuss the various aspects of planning that you needed to do planning that you needed to do before you took your trip?before you took your trip?

Our Story in HistoryOur Story in History

600

First return from exile led by Zerubbabel. Begin to rebuild temple in Jerusalem c. 538 BC

300500 400

Ezra leads second return from exile c. 466 BC

Jerusalem & Temple destroyed. Captivity in Babylon begins c. 586 BC

Nehemiah leads third return from exile. Rebuilds walls of Jerusalem c. 450 BC

Nehemiah

Temple completed and first Passover after captivity celebrated c. 516 BC

Solomon Jesus

c. = circa (about)

Babylonian Exile (70 Yrs) Esther

Scriptures to ReadScriptures to Read

Nehemiah 1:1-11Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 2:1-20Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah 4:1-23Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 6:15-16Nehemiah 6:15-16

Babylon

Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem

Tadmor

Damascus

JerusalemUr

Shushan(Susa)

PERSIAN EMPIRE

Nehemiah was living in the citadel of Susa. He was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia. Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, brought him bad news about the walls of Jerusalem.

Babylon

Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem

Tadmor

Damascus

JerusalemUr

Shushan(Susa)

PERSIAN EMPIRE

King Artaxerxes I agrees to let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. He gives Nehemiah letters of reference and send army officers and cavalry with him.

Jerusalem in the timeof Nehemiah and Today

KID

RO

N V

ALL

EY

Temple

Wall rebuilt by Nehemiah

Meters

Present day wall of Old City

Nehemiah Inspects the Walls

KID

RO

N V

ALL

EY

Temple

Jeshanah Gate

Tower of the Ovens

Valley Gate

Dung Gate

Fish Gate

Tower of Hananel

Tower of the Hundred

Sheep Gate

Inspection Gate

East Gate

Horse Gate

Great Projecting Tower

Water Gate

Pool of Siloam

Fountain Gate

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Have you ever had a burden or vision Have you ever had a burden or vision from the Lord to do something? What from the Lord to do something? What did you do to make that burden or vision did you do to make that burden or vision become a reality?become a reality?

b)b) When you stepped out and started to do When you stepped out and started to do what God asked you to do, did you what God asked you to do, did you experience opposition? How did you experience opposition? How did you handle that opposition? Did you give in handle that opposition? Did you give in and stop working on the vision, or did and stop working on the vision, or did you persevere and bring it to you persevere and bring it to completion?completion?

What Do We Learn from What Do We Learn from Nehemiah’s LifeNehemiah’s Life

1.1. Leaders not only know where they’re Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also know how to get there.going; they also know how to get there.

2.2. Leaders find purpose in the needs Leaders find purpose in the needs around themaround them..

3.3. A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw oncemeasure twice, saw once..

4.4. Leaders not only know where they’re Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them. going; they also take people with them.

Leaders not only know where they’re Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also know how to get theregoing; they also know how to get there

Leaders see things differently than Leaders see things differently than others do. A leader sees… others do. A leader sees…

1.1. FartherFarther than others see than others see

2.2. MoreMore than others see than others see

3.3. BeforeBefore others see others see

Leaders find purpose in the needs Leaders find purpose in the needs around themaround them

Nehemiah 1:5-6 & 10-11Nehemiah 1:5-6 & 10-11

““55O LORD, God of heaven, the great O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, love him and obey his commands, 66let your ear be attentive and your let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committedmy father's house, have committed

Nehemiah 1:5-6 & 10-11Nehemiah 1:5-6 & 10-11

against you…against you…1010They are your They are your servants and your people, whom servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. strength and your mighty hand. 1111O O Lord, let your ear be attentive to Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence granting him favor in the presence of this man.” of this man.”

Leaders find purpose in the needs Leaders find purpose in the needs around themaround them

Positive effects of a burden from the Positive effects of a burden from the Lord: Lord:

1.1. A Burden Purifies MotivesA Burden Purifies Motives

2.2. A Burden Cultivates PersistenceA Burden Cultivates Persistence

3.3. A Burden Solidifies ConvictionA Burden Solidifies Conviction

How Do I Know if I Have a Burden How Do I Know if I Have a Burden From God?From God?

1.1. Does a person or a project constantly Does a person or a project constantly come to my mind as a concern?come to my mind as a concern?

2.2. Do I seem unable to escape the needs Do I seem unable to escape the needs of this concern? of this concern?

3.3. Am I constantly trying to challenge Am I constantly trying to challenge others to be concerned for this person others to be concerned for this person or project? or project?

4.4. Do I migrate to books, sermons, or Do I migrate to books, sermons, or people that focus on my concern? people that focus on my concern?

How Do I Know if I Have a Burden How Do I Know if I Have a Burden From God?From God?

5.5. Do I repeatedly give time and resources Do I repeatedly give time and resources to meet this particular need? to meet this particular need?

6.6. Does my concern move me to the point Does my concern move me to the point of tears? of tears?

7.7. Do I have gifts and abilities to meet the Do I have gifts and abilities to meet the needs associated with this concern? needs associated with this concern?

8.8. Does my concern increase with time? Does my concern increase with time?

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Nehemiah not only knew where he was Nehemiah not only knew where he was going, he also knew how to get there. going, he also knew how to get there. Do you like to plan the trip or are you Do you like to plan the trip or are you content to just take it? content to just take it?

b)b) God placed a burden on Nehemiah’s God placed a burden on Nehemiah’s heart. Out of that burden came a vision heart. Out of that burden came a vision and a plan to bring about a change. and a plan to bring about a change. What need around you stirs your heart? What need around you stirs your heart? What vision do you have to change that What vision do you have to change that need?need?

A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw oncemeasure twice, saw once

Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for and complete the project: and complete the project:

1.1. He identified with the problem He identified with the problem

2.2. He spent time in prayer He spent time in prayer

3.3. He approached the key influencers He approached the key influencers

4.4. He assessed the situation He assessed the situation

5.5. He met with the people and cast He met with the people and cast the vision the vision

A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: A leader follows the carpenter’s rule: measure twice, saw oncemeasure twice, saw once

Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for Nehemiah followed 8 steps to plan for and complete the project: and complete the project:

6.6. He encouraged them with past He encouraged them with past successessuccesses

7.7. He received buy in from the people He received buy in from the people

8.8. He organized the people and got He organized the people and got them working them working

Leaders not only know where they’re Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them.going; they also take people with them.

Nehemiah’s Principles for Working Nehemiah’s Principles for Working With People: With People:

1.1. SimplificationSimplification

2.2. ParticipationParticipation

3.3. DelegationDelegation

4.4. MotivationMotivation

5.5. PreparationPreparation

Leaders not only know where they’re Leaders not only know where they’re going; they also take people with them.going; they also take people with them.

Nehemiah’s Principles for Working Nehemiah’s Principles for Working With People: With People:

6.6. CooperationCooperation

7.7. CelebrationCelebration

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Nehemiah spent considerable time Nehemiah spent considerable time planning and preparing before he planning and preparing before he started building. Do you make your started building. Do you make your plan before you make your move?plan before you make your move?

b)b) Nehemiah not only had a burden, a Nehemiah not only had a burden, a vision and a plan. He also knew how vision and a plan. He also knew how to motivate the people to help him to motivate the people to help him execute the plan. Who are the people execute the plan. Who are the people you are gathering for your leadership you are gathering for your leadership journey?journey?

When Jesus was twelve years old he went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast with Joseph and Mary.

“About My Father’s Business”“About My Father’s Business”

Nazareth

Jerusalem

After the feast was over, Joseph & Mary start out for Nazareth. They travel a whole day before they realize Jesus is not with their party. They turn around and go back to Jerusalem where they find Jesus in the temple.

John 5:19-20John 5:19-20

““1919I tell you the truth, the Son can do I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does because whatever the Father does the Son also does. the Son also does. 2020For the Father For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he loves the Son and shows him all he does.” does.”

Luke 4:18-19Luke 4:18-19

""1818The Spirit of the Lord is on me, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to because he has anointed me to

preach good news to the poor.   He preach good news to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim freedom has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the sight for the blind, to release the

oppressed, oppressed, 1919to proclaim the year of to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.“the Lord's favor.“

(Note: Jesus was quoting Isaiah 61:1-2 )(Note: Jesus was quoting Isaiah 61:1-2 )

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Read Jeremiah 29:11. What does Read Jeremiah 29:11. What does this verse tell us regarding whether this verse tell us regarding whether God has a plan and a purpose for God has a plan and a purpose for our lives?our lives?

b)b) Now read Jeremiah 29:12-13. What Now read Jeremiah 29:12-13. What do these verses tell us about how do these verses tell us about how we can find out God’s purpose for we can find out God’s purpose for our lives?our lives?

Homework – Scriptures to ReadHomework – Scriptures to Read

Matthew 23:1-39Matthew 23:1-39 John 8:48-58John 8:48-58 John 13:1-17John 13:1-17