Remodel Your Inner Life

Under Construction - Lesson 2

Lesson Guide

Broken Walls 


Once a building that needs renovation has been inspected and all the consents are in place, it is time to start working on the site.

In the story of Nehemiah, the broken walls of Jerusalem are symbolic of our lives prior to having a relationship with Jesus. All of us, in some area or another, have had our walls broken down through sinful behavior. This gave Satan access into our thought life.

Essentials for Reconstruction
The Holy Spirit walks into the darkest areas of our lives to survey the damage and bring redemption.

Here are a few essentials that the Holy Spirit provides:

1. Time
Nehemiah asked the King for time off, a big ask that he had been praying about for 4 months. Just as the king let Nehemiah take as much time as needed to repair the walls of the city, so Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to take as much time as needed to help us.

Drilling Deeper

As a group, look up Psalm 86:15 and discuss how it relates to God’s grace.

2. Letters of Authority 
When the Holy Spirit comes to work in our lives He comes with authority so we never have to be intimidated or bullied by our spiritual enemy Satan. When it comes to renewing our mind, this spiritual battle requires authority to remind demonic powers that they no longer have any legal right to our mind. 

Drilling Deeper

Has there ever been a time when someone in authority protected you?
As a group, read Nehemiah 2:20 and note how Nehemiah addressed the enemy. How should we address our enemy today?

FROM THE BLUEPRINT: 

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:19 

“And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.” Philippians 1:6 

Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. – Luke 10:19

Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?  – Hebrews 1:14

3. Access to Supplies 
God always provides everything we need for the remodel He is doing in our lives. God will never run out of promises. There is an endless supply of His goodness. 

Drilling Deeper

As a group, brainstorm some of the supplies that God has promised to give us.

4. The Horsemen / Angels 
The king supplied Nehemiah with something he didn’t ask for, horsemen. In our own life, the horsemen are symbolic of the angels. Like the horsemen, we do not have to ask God for angelic help, but He sends them to protect us and to guide us in our everyday affairs. 

Drilling Deeper

As a group, look up the role of Angels in the following verses: Psalm 91:11, Acts 10:3-7, Psalm 103:20

“When the Holy Spirit comes to work in our lives He comes with authority so we never have to be intimidated or bullied by our spiritual enemy Satan.”

Further Discussion


As a group, take some time to discuss what you just watched. 
 

Start the discussion by referring to the “Drilling Deeper” questions. 

As a group, read Nehemiah 2. What stands out to you? 

Why do you think Nehemiah inspected the walls at night by himself? 

In Nehemiah 2:19, it says that the enemy mocked and despised the people. Have you ever experienced being “laughed at” for following Christ? 

In a renovation project, the first step is to remove the debris. How does 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 relate to removing the old way of thinking in our minds? 

Even as Nehemiah inspected the walls, take some time as a group to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to search the areas of your life that may have been damaged.  

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