A People of the Word

Scripture Reading:  Nehemiah 8:1-18

Memory Verse:  “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”  2 Peter 1:21

1.  People are unified publicly under the Law of God: verses 1-2

• Unity of physical proximity
  
• Unity of spiritual purpose
  
• Unity of intellectual prerequisite
  

2.  People are educated thoroughly under the Law of God! Verse 3-8

• Book of the Law was read publicly
  
• All the Law was read
  
• All the people listened
  
• All the ministers helped teach! 13 priests and 13 Levites.
  
• All the Law was made clear for the people to understand
  

3.  People are led capably into worship under the Law of God! Verse 4-9

• The Leaders honor the Law! Standing!
  
• The people honor the Law! Standing!
  
• The Leader worships and praises God!
  
• The people agree with the leader and worship God!
  
• The people are led to respond to God’s Law personally!
  

4.  People express joyfully the new truth of the Law in their lives! Verse 10-18

• Grief gives way to communal joy! Conviction leads to repentance which ushers in joy!
  
• Joy is expressed in a new habit of life! Festival of booths
  
• Joy is expressed in spreading this new truth to others!
  
• Joy is expressed in embracing a new spiritual responsibility! Father’s as priestly teachers!
  
• Joy is repeated as the pattern is repeated! Discovery, repentance, obedience, sharing, joy
  

Summary

1. People are unified publicly under the Law of God: verses 1-2
   
2. People are educated thoroughly under the Law of God! Verse 3-8
   
3. People are led capably into worship under the Law of God! Verse 4-9
   
4. People express joyfully the new truth of the Law in their lives! Verse 10-18
   

So What?

• Seek joy through the process of responding to God’s revelation in the Bible!
  
• Share the truths you are learning with others!
  
• Study the Bible to understand its meaning in your life!
  
• Help others around you study the Bible!
  
• Worship the Lord as you study His Word!