Brokenness is not something we sign up for and certainly not something we pray for, but it is necessary if we are going to be useful. Brokenness creates a yielded heart open before God, emptied of pride and self-sufficiency so that we can be ready for gospel impact. When broken, we are whole. When weak, He is strong. With deepest questions and in darkest moments, He shines through us. ~ Pastor Dave
Open: Have you ever broken something that you couldn’t put back together? Share your story.
Read: Nehemiah 1; Psalm 51; Proverbs 24:10-12; Isaiah 57; Matthew 5:3; Luke 19:41-44; Romans 9:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4
Discuss:
1. Describe the differences between punishment, discipline and consequences. What role does brokenness play into each of these? What makes our culture resistant to brokenness? Name some of the characters of Scripture that were broken for God’s use. How does this contradict the common phrase we say “God will never give you more than you can handle”?
2. Why were the Jews scattered and what was happening in Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah? How do these details remind us that God is faithful in keeping His word to His people? Describe Nehemiah’s job in the King’s court: How was Nehemiah uniquely positioned to ask the right questions regarding his fellow Jews living in Jerusalem?
3. Nehemiah’s brokenness begins by asking the right questions. What news do the men of Judah report to Nehemiah? Describe the details of “great trouble and shame” (1:3)? What makes the news about the walls in Jerusalem so devastating? What do the walls represent to the city? What does Nehemiah’s reaction (1:4) reveal about his character? His affection for the Lord? His affection for his people? What do you see in your neighborhood, workplace, and community that correlates to Jerusalem’s situation?
4. Nehemiah prays in the midst of his brokenness. He begins by confessing the sinfulness of himself and God’s people. How does being broken over sin help us move forward in faith? What sin are you broken about in your own life? How about in the lives of our region? How does brokenness renew our devotion to Christ?
5. Usually when something is broken it loses its value. But in the Scripture pain leads to a platform for ministry. How does brokenness fuel a sense of urgency and call us to be a part of the solution? How does the greatest ministry come from our greatest misery?
Pray: Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His. Pray that God would give you the eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand the brokenness in you and around you. Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult but necessary questions.
Memorize/Meditate: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
