Rebuilding Hope: Part 3 - The Opposition
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
September 18, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANday Night, September 19
September 19 isn’t going to be just another Monday night. For the guys of OneLife, it’s going to be a MANday night. Join us at the East campus at 7pm for some good food, a time to hang out and meet other guys, and a few other fun surprises. Let us know you’re coming by writing “MANday Night” on your Connection Card or visit onelifeknox.com/manday. Dads, bring your middle school and high school sons with you!
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Opposition is an opportunity.
Nehemiah 4:1-3 NLT
1 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage a
nd mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
1. Criticism is a reflection of threat not a reflection of me.
Nehemiah 4:1-3 NLT
1 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
2. Critics love company.
Nehemiah 4:3 NIV
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”
3. Critics oppose God not me.
Nehemiah 4:4-5 NLT
4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”
4. Prayer is always the right response.
Nehemiah 4:6 NIV
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
5. Focus on my calling not my critics.
_____________________
START TALKING
What is an example of someone or something opposing you when you had a goal or had a dream? How was criticism part of that opposition?
Disagreement becomes opposition and criticism when one side feels threatened by the other. Where do you see this as being most prevalent in our culture? How would realizing that I or they are threatened by something change the way we approach that disagreement?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 4:1-3.
- What are these men threatened by? What do they attack when they are criticizing and what do you notice about the things that they say?
- What do you think is the connection between anger/rage and criticism?
- What is the goal(s) of the criticism in these first three verses? How is this the same in the criticism that you have faced or that you will face?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 4:3 in the NIV.
- What does Tobiah get wrong in his criticism of Nehemiah and the people? When have you been criticized for doing what God wanted you to do and how can you see now (or did you see then) that the criticism was really against God and not you?
- What was the threat that you or your calling posed for your opposition?
Read Nehemiah 4:4-5.
- Why is prayer the best and first response to criticism?
- What is usually your natural response to being criticized (be honest!)?
- How can you turn to prayer instead?
- What do you think is the greatest opportunity for you in the opposition that you are facing? Or what was the greatest opportunity in opposition and criticism that you experienced, even if you missed the opportunity at the time?
START DOING
Read Nehemiah 4:6.
- What do you notice that Nehemiah does NOT do after praying about his critics and opposition? - What do you need to do to stay focused on your calling in this way?
- How can we help each other do that in our micro church?
- What do you hear the Holy Spirit telling you to do that you may be afraid of because of the opposition that it will bring?
- What can you do about it so that you continue being who He has called you to be and doing what He has called you to do?
START PRAYING
Have each person in the microchurch share what they feel like the Holy Spirit is showing them their passion and their purpose is and the opposition and criticism that is coming, has come, or may come because of it. Pray for each person to resist internalizing that, but to realize that the opposition is against God. Pray for each person to stay focused on their calling through prayer and for each of us to help encourage each other and hold each other accountable to the calling God has for each of us!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
September 18, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANday Night, September 19
September 19 isn’t going to be just another Monday night. For the guys of OneLife, it’s going to be a MANday night. Join us at the East campus at 7pm for some good food, a time to hang out and meet other guys, and a few other fun surprises. Let us know you’re coming by writing “MANday Night” on your Connection Card or visit onelifeknox.com/manday. Dads, bring your middle school and high school sons with you!
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Opposition is an opportunity.
Nehemiah 4:1-3 NLT
1 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage a
nd mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
1. Criticism is a reflection of threat not a reflection of me.
Nehemiah 4:1-3 NLT
1 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
2. Critics love company.
Nehemiah 4:3 NIV
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”
3. Critics oppose God not me.
Nehemiah 4:4-5 NLT
4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”
4. Prayer is always the right response.
Nehemiah 4:6 NIV
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
5. Focus on my calling not my critics.
_____________________
START TALKING
What is an example of someone or something opposing you when you had a goal or had a dream? How was criticism part of that opposition?
Disagreement becomes opposition and criticism when one side feels threatened by the other. Where do you see this as being most prevalent in our culture? How would realizing that I or they are threatened by something change the way we approach that disagreement?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 4:1-3.
- What are these men threatened by? What do they attack when they are criticizing and what do you notice about the things that they say?
- What do you think is the connection between anger/rage and criticism?
- What is the goal(s) of the criticism in these first three verses? How is this the same in the criticism that you have faced or that you will face?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 4:3 in the NIV.
- What does Tobiah get wrong in his criticism of Nehemiah and the people? When have you been criticized for doing what God wanted you to do and how can you see now (or did you see then) that the criticism was really against God and not you?
- What was the threat that you or your calling posed for your opposition?
Read Nehemiah 4:4-5.
- Why is prayer the best and first response to criticism?
- What is usually your natural response to being criticized (be honest!)?
- How can you turn to prayer instead?
- What do you think is the greatest opportunity for you in the opposition that you are facing? Or what was the greatest opportunity in opposition and criticism that you experienced, even if you missed the opportunity at the time?
START DOING
Read Nehemiah 4:6.
- What do you notice that Nehemiah does NOT do after praying about his critics and opposition? - What do you need to do to stay focused on your calling in this way?
- How can we help each other do that in our micro church?
- What do you hear the Holy Spirit telling you to do that you may be afraid of because of the opposition that it will bring?
- What can you do about it so that you continue being who He has called you to be and doing what He has called you to do?
START PRAYING
Have each person in the microchurch share what they feel like the Holy Spirit is showing them their passion and their purpose is and the opposition and criticism that is coming, has come, or may come because of it. Pray for each person to resist internalizing that, but to realize that the opposition is against God. Pray for each person to stay focused on their calling through prayer and for each of us to help encourage each other and hold each other accountable to the calling God has for each of us!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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