Lesson Guide
The Helper
In the story of Nehemiah, we see that he came to guide the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. His expertise and leadership comforted the people, (especially when they were threatened).
The name Nehemiah comes from two Hebrew words which when combined mean the comfort of God. Nehemiah is a type of the Holy Spirit and the way he helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is a reflection of how the Holy Spirit helps us rebuild the broken areas in our mind.
Drilling Deeper
Is there a coach or counselor who has made a positive impact on your life? In what area and how so?
The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray
When we are battling negative thoughts in our mind, it can be a challenge to know what to pray or even to pray period! It could be thoughts of jealousy, fear, anxiety, lust, inadequacy, greed etc., but the good news is that the Holy Spirit is there to help us pray against these thoughts attacking our peace.
Drilling Deeper
When was there been a time that the Holy Spirit has helped you deal with an attack on your mind?
The Holy Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness
Just as Nehemiah set a special guard against the exposed lower parts of the wall, so the Holy Spirit comes to help us in the weak areas in our mind. All of us have a weak area in our mind that we must give extra attention too.
Drilling Deeper
As a group, discuss practical ways that we can strenthen and give extra attention to those weak areas of our mind.
FROM THE BLUEPRINT:
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate,Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” – John 14:26
“And in the same way, by our faith, the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.” – Romans 8:26
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword.” This is similar to what Jesus told His disciples, “The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life.” – Hebrews 4:12
The Holy Spirit Equips Us
Nehemiah had stationed the people at these exposed areas with their swords. We too have a sword to respond to our spiritual enemy who attacks your mind. That sword is the Bible.
When a destructive thought comes at our minds our response is to counter the lies with God’s Word. When we take God’s word and speak it from our mouth the power of God is released in that word to drive back the enemy and God’s life is infused into our mind.
As we begin to renew our mind to His Word, those areas that were once exposed are rebuilt and it becomes increasingly difficult for the enemy to get gain access to our thought life. As we put our faith in God’s word, it becomes a “shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph. 6:16).
Drilling Deeper
How can we incorporate the memorizing of scripture into our daily life?
“The battle that goes on in our mind affects every area of our lives, (especially our homes). As we renew our mind to God’s word, one of the biggest changes is our relationships are strengthened.”
Further Discussion
As a group, take some time to discuss what you just watched.
Start the discussion by referring to the “Drilling Deeper” questions.
In John 14:16 Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit when He said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter”. The Holy Spirit will comfort us like Jesus comforted others. Where in the Scriptures is an example of Jesus comforting someone? How would this have helped them with the battle in their mind?
Read John 14:25-27, 16:33 and Isaiah 26:3. According to these verses what is the result of choosing to keep your mind on God’s word.
In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul is informing us that if we desire to win in life, we must put on what we know about our salvation. Then we are to use what we know about our salvation against the enemy as he endeavors to destroy us. Read these verses and discuss how the armor of God relates to the battle in our minds. What similarities do you see between this spiritual battle and the natural battle fought in Nehemiah chapter 4?
Take some time to pray together as a group. As you discuss God’s Word in your group today be encouraged that the Holy Spirit is at work in your life and remember God is for you!
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