To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Download the worksheet, “Reconciliation Plan” here. Make copies for every 3–5 students you expect.
Divide the class in to groups of 3–5 members each, giving these groups a copy of the worksheet. Have them read and reflect upon the lesson text, jotting down words from the text that correspond to the steps for reconciliation with God found on the worksheet.
To encourage personal application:
On the board write, “If you do not feel close to God, guess who moved.”
Talk about some attitudes that keep us from feeling close to God and why they do so. Some examples would be:
Denying that life is not going well. Trying to fool oneself that no problem exists.
Feeling that God is unfair or is giving others special treatment.
Refusal to express feelings of separation from God to other Christians.
Discuss how the lesson text showed how Nehemiah addressed these issues.