Rebuilding Hope: Part 5 - The Adversary
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
October 02, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students Fall Events
The Fall at OneLIfe Students has been awesome and we aren't slowing down! On Saturday, October 8th from 6pm to 8pm, the High School students from both campuses will be headed to 865 Axe Throwing for some food, a firepit, and of course...Axe Throwing. The cost is $20 per person. Then on Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
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: Persistence is the key to resisting the schemes of the enemy.
Nehemiah 6:1-4 NLT
1 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
1. Keep my eyes on the prize.
Nehemiah 6:5-8 NLT
5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said:“There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”
2. Don't believe the lies.
Nehemiah 6:9 NIV
9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
3. Pray through fear.
Nehemiah 6:10-13 NLT
10 Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.” 11 But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
4. Ignore intimidation.
Nehemiah 6:14-15 NLT
14 Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me. 15 So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.
5. Finish the work.
_____________________
START TALKING
Persistence means "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition." When have you had to keep going on a project or in a situation even though it was hard or there was opposition?
START THINKING
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9.
How would you put this passage into your own words as if you were explaining it to someone else or even to one of your children?
How does knowing that the family of believers around the world is undergoing the same attack help us? Why does that make standing firm in our resistance so important?
Read Nehemiah 6:1-2.
What is the connection between Nehemiah's enemies finding out that he was finishing the wall and the attack that was about to come?
What does this mean that we can expect to happen when we are moving toward doing what God has given us to do or accomplish?
Thinking about 1 Peter 5:8-9, what made Nehemiah able to "realize" what was really going on?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 6:3-4.
Nehemiah is so focused on the work God has for him, that he does not get distracted by this scheme. His "eyes are on the prize." For him, it was building the wall. When we know with clarity what God wants us to accomplish, we can do the same thing. What is the "prize" for you in this season of your life? What do you sense the Holy Spirit has as a vision for you and a purpose for you to accomplish? How will you continue to define and discover what that is so that you can stay focused and not get distracted by the enemy's schemes?
Throughout Nehemiah 6, we see several schemes emerge that the enemy will use against us:
1. Distraction (vs. 3-4)
2. Lies (vs. 5-8)
3. Fear (v. 9)
4. Intimidation (vs. 10-13)
Which of these seem to have to biggest effect on you? Give an example of a time that one of these attacks came against you.
START DOING
The way to persistently resist each of those schemes above is:
1. Focus on and prioritize the calling.
2. Know the truth.
3. Pray through fear.
4. Ignore intimidation.
5. Finish the work.
What can you do this week to do one or more those? Give practical, real life examples of how you can use these tools to persist in your resistance against the enemy.
How has resisting the attack of the enemy become part of your faith story where you've seen Jesus get the victory? How can you use this to share with someone else who may be experiencing attack or struggling in their faith?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to accomplish what they shared is their "prize" in this season of life. Pray specifically for each person's thing that they shared is what God has called them to accomplish. Pray for protection over each person and pray for strength to persist and resist the adversary. Then pray the same thing for your micro church and for OneLife church. Pray that we would not get distracted. Pray that we would not believe the lies, the fear, or the intimidation. And pray that we will finish the work!
_____________________
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)?
October 02, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students Fall Events
The Fall at OneLIfe Students has been awesome and we aren't slowing down! On Saturday, October 8th from 6pm to 8pm, the High School students from both campuses will be headed to 865 Axe Throwing for some food, a firepit, and of course...Axe Throwing. The cost is $20 per person. Then on Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
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: Persistence is the key to resisting the schemes of the enemy.
Nehemiah 6:1-4 NLT
1 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
1. Keep my eyes on the prize.
Nehemiah 6:5-8 NLT
5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said:“There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”
2. Don't believe the lies.
Nehemiah 6:9 NIV
9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
3. Pray through fear.
Nehemiah 6:10-13 NLT
10 Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.” 11 But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
4. Ignore intimidation.
Nehemiah 6:14-15 NLT
14 Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me. 15 So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.
5. Finish the work.
_____________________
START TALKING
Persistence means "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition." When have you had to keep going on a project or in a situation even though it was hard or there was opposition?
START THINKING
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9.
How would you put this passage into your own words as if you were explaining it to someone else or even to one of your children?
How does knowing that the family of believers around the world is undergoing the same attack help us? Why does that make standing firm in our resistance so important?
Read Nehemiah 6:1-2.
What is the connection between Nehemiah's enemies finding out that he was finishing the wall and the attack that was about to come?
What does this mean that we can expect to happen when we are moving toward doing what God has given us to do or accomplish?
Thinking about 1 Peter 5:8-9, what made Nehemiah able to "realize" what was really going on?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 6:3-4.
Nehemiah is so focused on the work God has for him, that he does not get distracted by this scheme. His "eyes are on the prize." For him, it was building the wall. When we know with clarity what God wants us to accomplish, we can do the same thing. What is the "prize" for you in this season of your life? What do you sense the Holy Spirit has as a vision for you and a purpose for you to accomplish? How will you continue to define and discover what that is so that you can stay focused and not get distracted by the enemy's schemes?
Throughout Nehemiah 6, we see several schemes emerge that the enemy will use against us:
1. Distraction (vs. 3-4)
2. Lies (vs. 5-8)
3. Fear (v. 9)
4. Intimidation (vs. 10-13)
Which of these seem to have to biggest effect on you? Give an example of a time that one of these attacks came against you.
START DOING
The way to persistently resist each of those schemes above is:
1. Focus on and prioritize the calling.
2. Know the truth.
3. Pray through fear.
4. Ignore intimidation.
5. Finish the work.
What can you do this week to do one or more those? Give practical, real life examples of how you can use these tools to persist in your resistance against the enemy.
How has resisting the attack of the enemy become part of your faith story where you've seen Jesus get the victory? How can you use this to share with someone else who may be experiencing attack or struggling in their faith?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to accomplish what they shared is their "prize" in this season of life. Pray specifically for each person's thing that they shared is what God has called them to accomplish. Pray for protection over each person and pray for strength to persist and resist the adversary. Then pray the same thing for your micro church and for OneLife church. Pray that we would not get distracted. Pray that we would not believe the lies, the fear, or the intimidation. And pray that we will finish the work!
_____________________
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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