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Key Thought: The Israelites now dedicated the city wall. The dedication was accompanied by music, feasting, sacrifices, merriment, and the purification of the people.
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Deceember 7, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:27-29.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Name some of the key words that reveal what their worship and praise was like? How do you describe their worship?
Personal Application: In what ways is music important to you in worship service? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Is the form of music important is worship service? Some churches have drums and Christian rock and rap as part of worship. Others use operatic music in their services. Are these appropriate ways in which God can be worshipped?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:30-42.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What did singing have to do with the purification process in Israel?
Personal Application: List some reasons that you have to sing praises to God. Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t like to sing. I’m not very good at it and wasn’t taught that singing was something we should do. So what should I do when everyone else is singing and I am just standing there?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:44-47.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
Why did Judah rejoice over the priests and Levites who ministered? Why were they important?
Personal Application: Do we take our musicians and ministers for granted too often? How can we show our gratitude and thankfulness for their ministry? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How can we appreciate the music and singing in church without exalting the person doing the singing, or the minister doing the preaching? Some people can get prideful and lifted up because of the talents of music, song, and preaching that God has given them.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 12:43.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
Why were great sacrifices part of the Israelites worship service and part of their singing and praise?
Personal Application: If Jesus is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, what is He doing there? How does that relate to worship and praise? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!