Online Bible Study – Week 3

Study Video

This Bible Study goes along with Parts 3 & 4 of the sermon series we’re working through at St. Andrew’s called “Rebuilding.” If you haven’t listened to these messages from February 27 and March 6 you can find them HERE and HERE.

Nehemiah Chapters 4, 5, 6

As I mention in part 3 of the Rebuilding series, these 3 chapters are all connected. They describe a series of obstacles to the work of rebuilding – some take the form of external opposition, while other obstacles come from within. Take some time to read all three chapters as a unit, then pause and consider what stands out to you in this part of the story. Are the external and internal issues separate or are they connected? You may want to come back to this question after you have looked at each chapter on its own.

Chapter 4

This chapter was the primary focus of the message from February 27. As you read it take note of the different forms of opposition faced by the people of Jerusalem and Judah. Take note of how Nehemiah responds (or doesn’t respond) and the way he’s able to keep the rebuild going forward safely.

 Questions:

    • Think of times in your life when you have faced opposition – in the form of ridicule, threats or direct attempts to control you. How did that make you feel? How did you respond?
    • Where does prayer fit into your response to opposition? Is praying about the situation your first, second or last response? How might giving the situation over to God change how you handle opposition? How might it change the way you relate to people or systems that seem to be opposing you?
    • Have you ever stood guard over someone or some situation in prayer? Have you ever had someone, or some group of people do that for you? What difference did this make for you or for the situation you prayed for? Is this something you could see yourself doing today?

Chapter 5

This chapter was the primary focus of the message from March 6. As you read it take note of the specific issues raised by the ordinary people in Judah, and by Nehemiah. Take note also of how Nehemiah responds to these issues, and how he models a different approach from many of the leaders who came before him.

 Questions:

    • In the message we reflect on how honest the Bible is about the failures, shortcomings and sins of the people of Israel. How honest and open are you about your sins and mistakes? How open and honest are most Christians about these kinds of things? How transparent are we as a church about these kinds of things?
    • The internal issues in Nehemiah 5 are a case of some in Judah falling back into old habits. How easy or difficult do you find it to live in the new patterns and behaviours taught by Jesus and the rest of Scripture? How often do you find yourself going back to old habits, or ways of living that are normal in our society but don’t really line up with what the Bible teaches?
    • In the message we look at Nehemiah as an example of how to approach faith and God’s calling in a selfless way in contrast to the more self-centered or selfish approach of other leaders in Judah. What are some ways that we might be approaching church and faith from the perspective of “what’s in it for me?” What are some things that we can do to check ourselves and make sure that we are practicing our faith with the right motivations?
    • Bonus Question: How familiar are you with what the Bible teaches about lending and charging interest? Read Exodus 2:25-27, Leviticus 25:36-38 and Deuteronomy 23:19-20, and Psalm 15. These teachings come out of a very different time and place from ours, but how might they affect how we handle loans, borrowing, or how we try to help people in need?

Chapter 6

This chapter wasn’t dealt with directly in either of the messages, but in many ways ties the themes of internal and external obstacles together. As you read it look for both kinds of obstacles and see how they interact with each other.

Questions:

    • In verses 1-9 Nehemiah has to deal with an attack on his character, and potential slander. Is this something you have had to deal with? Does Nehemiah offer us a helpful approach for dealing with this kind of thing?
    • Verses 10-19 show that a number of people in Judah opposed to the rebuilding, or causing difficulties, were working with or had connections to the neighbouring people who were opposed to the rebuilding. Why do you think they chose to do this? Are there times when our loyalties to the world around us compromise our loyalty to God and God’s mission?

Worship In-Person & Online – March 6, 2022

This Sunday March 6 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.

Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus is the Good Shepherd” Premiers at 8:30am

You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE

Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am

1st Sunday in Lent

Call to Worship – Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12, 15-17

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Praise To The Lord the Almighty” #321

Old Testament – Nehemiah 5:1-13

Gospel – John 10:1-11

Message – “Rebuilding (Part 4)”

Song: “Only A Holy God”

Closing Prayers

Blessing

News & Announcements

    • Lent Resources: This Wednesday marked the start of the season of Lent that leads to Easter. For a quick refresher about what the season is about you can watch this video HERE. Lent can be a time when we take special effort to deepen the practice of our faith. You can find resources for prayer and study on our website here: https://standrews.ws/learning/resources/. Another great resource for spiritual practices is the modern classic A Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. You can find it on Amazon, Indigo and many other book sellers.
    • Online Bible Study: Rev. Read is offering online Bible study resources to go along with the “Rebuilding” sermon series. Each week there is a short study video and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. Check your inbox each Sunday after worship for an email from Rev. Read. You can also find the second session HERE.
    • Textile Recycling Drive: We will be holding our Spring Textile Drive on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 9am – Noon.  Donations include clothes, towels, curtains, linens, bedding (NO PILLOWS) socks, underwear, shoes, purses, and belts.  For more information please call the church office.
    • For  more St. Andrew’s news and information sign up for our weekly newsletter from the Office of St. Andrew’s standrewsancaster@gmail.com.

Family Worship & Learning – March 6, 2022

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday March 6. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to chapter 10.

It’s also the first Sunday in Lent. You can find adult and family resources for adults and families here: https://standrews.ws/learning/resources/

Today’s Question

“Whose voice would you recognize anywhere?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Mar 6, 2022

Family Worship Video

Available at 8:30am Sunday

Big God Journal and Other Activities

Journal Page – Mar 6, 2022

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to  video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:

Online Bible Study – Week 2

Study Video

This Bible Study goes along with Part 2 of a sermon series we’re working through at St. Andrew’s called “Rebuilding.” If you haven’t listened to this message from February 20th, you can find it HERE.

Nehemiah Chapter 3

As I mention in the message this chapter can be tough going with all of the Hebrew names, but ultimately, I believe it’s important to read the entire thing. If you’re struggling with the pronunciations, you can find a number of audio Bible selections at BibleGateway. For Nehemiah 3 you have the choice of 3 different readers in the NIV as well as readers for several other English translations: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Neh.3

When you’ve read or listened to the chapter pause and consider your first impressions. What stands out to you?

    1. In the message I talk about the significance of people being named in the Bible. Whenever you see a long list of names like this it’s always important. In many cases this has to do with people listed being remembered and their contribution to God’s story honoured. In other cases, it’s about connecting the people reading the story in the present with those who have gone before them in faith.

 Questions:

    • Can you think of Christians from the past or your own life whose example you remember and honour? Is keeping their memory alive important to you? Have you told anyone else about them?
    • Think of your own faith story. Can you look back through family, church friends, or other Christian mentors and see a story of faith connecting you to those who came before you? How far can you trace it back?
    • The record of individual and family names in the Bible reminds us that individual contributions to God’s story and purpose in the world matter. Can you imagine your name being written down for others to remember? What would that entry say? If you can’t think of this on your own, ask a friend or family member.
    1. Take a closer look at the list of names. The obvious categories are priests and governing officials, but there are an enormous variety of people mentioned. If you’ve got the time, try to count every name. If you don’t consider that Nehemiah divided the wall into roughly 40 sections, and note that there are usually several individuals and families named for each

 Questions:

    • What sort of people are included in this list of names? Try to list them all. What stands out to you? What might it say about different people’s ability to contribute to an important community task?
    • When you look at the number of people listed what does that say about the scale of the task? What does it also say about the importance of everyone doing their part?
    • Do you feel that you have something to contribute to your family, community or to this church? Are you more likely to undervalue or overvalue what you have to contribute?
    1. The main theme in the message based on this passage in Nehemiah 3 is the importance of working together. Yet there are different ways to do this. Take a closer look at verses 28-30 and consider the following questions:

Questions:

    • Are you more of an independent worker or do you work better in a group?
    • If you are more independent, do you find it easy to ingrate your independent work into a larger shared project? (ie. does the section of wall you’ve built link into the sections built by others?)
    • If you are more inclined to work in a group, how do you find working with others who are more independently minded? Are you able to let them do their own thing when you share a common goal? (ie. are you willing to let them go off and build their own section of the wall?)
    1. The message notes that the names of several different communities and regions outside the city of Jerusalem are included in the list of builders. Take a moment and see how many you can find.

Questions:

    • How easy do you find it to work with people outside your immediate community or group (ie. family, neighbourhood, company, organization or church)? Is it something you do often or rarely?
    • Is this something we do well in the church – either here at St. Andrew’s, or in your larger experience of church life? What are some things that make this easier or harder in your experience?
    • In the message I suggest that working with other groups will play an important role in rebuilding. What groups might you work with in your own personal rebuilding? What churches or other organization might St. Andrew’s work with?

Worship In-Person & Online – February 27, 2022

This Sunday February 27 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.

Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus Opens Eyes” Premiers at 8:30am

You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE

Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am

Order of Service

Call to Worship – Psalm 23

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible” #290

Old Testament – Nehemiah 4:1-15

Gospel – John 9:1-11

Message – “Rebuilding (Part 3)”

Song: “You Are Everything We Need”

Closing Prayers

Blessing

News & Announcements

    • Online Bible Study Resources: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. Those on our email list will receive a link to the study resources and a printable copy of the questions from me each week on Sunday after worship. You can go back and find week 1 HERE.
    • Annual Meeting: The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday April 3. We are planning for this to be an in-person meeting. The church office is beginning work on the Annual Report, which will be ready for circulation ahead of the meeting.
    • Textile Recycling Drive: We will be holding our Spring Textile Drive on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 9am – Noon.  Donations include clothes, towels, curtains, linens, bedding (NO PILLOWS) socks, underwear, shoes, purses, and belts.  For more information please call the church office.
    • For  more St. Andrew’s news and information sign up for our weekly newsletter from the Office of St. Andrew’s standrewsancaster@gmail.com.

Family Worship & Learning – February 27, 2022

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 27. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to chapter 9.

Today’s Question

“What is something that is hard to believe?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Feb 27, 2022

Family Worship Video

Available at 8:30am Sunday

Big God Journal and Other Activities

Journal Page – Feb 27, 2022

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to  video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:

Online Bible Study – Week 1

Study Video

Study Overview

This Bible Study goes along with a sermon series we’re working through at St. Andrew’s called “Rebuilding.” If you haven’t listened to the first message in the series from February 13th you can find it HERE.

In the message I give a very quick run down of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (which are one scroll in the original Hebrew and tell one story). For a bit more detail you can find a great summary video at the BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/

It may also be helpful to have an idea of where Nehemiah falls in the overall story of the Bible. The following timeline is taken from John Goldingay’s highly accessible commentary Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther for Everyone, which you can purchase on Amazon, Indigo and elsewhere.

1200s      Moses, the exodus, Joshua

1100s      The “judges”

1000s      Saul, David

900s      Solomon; the nation splits into two, Ephraim and Judah

800s      Elijah, Elisha

700s      Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah; Assyria the superpower; the fall of Ephraim

600s      Jeremiah, King Josiah; Babylon the superpower

500s      Ezekiel; the fall of Judah; Persia the superpower; Judahites free to return home

      400s      Ezra, Nehemiah

300s      Greece the superpower

200s      Syria and Egypt, the regional powers pulling Judah one way or the other

100s      Judah’s rebellion against Syrian power and gain of independence

000s      Rome the superpower

Week 1: Nehemiah Chapters 1 & 2

This first study session will go deeper into themes explored in part 1 of the “Rebuilding” series and the chapters 1 & 2 of the Book of Nehemiah.

    1. In the message we considered some parallels between our situation after 2 years of a global pandemic and the situation of God’s people two generations after the Exile to Babylon. One common theme was that of repeated setbacks and long delays in the work of rebuilding.

Questions:

      • How do you think the setbacks and delays experienced by God’s people in Jerusalem affected them?
      • How do you think that the repeated setbacks and delays we have experience with COVID have affected you and the people around you?
      • How have these things affected our church?
    1. The first thing that Nehemiah did when he was confronted with the reality of life back in Jerusalem was pray – which included grieving and fasting before God.

Questions:

      • What grief are you carrying from COVID? What loss, frustration or sadness have you experienced along the way?
      • Have you shared this grief with anyone? Have you shared this grief with God? Is there someone you could talk to about this? Do you think you could bring this grief to God in prayer?
      • Are there things that we are grieving as a church right now?
    1. In our readings for February 13, we skipped over the words of Nehemiah’s prayer in 1:5-11. Take a moment now to read that prayer slowly and carefully, then read it out loud.

Questions:

      • Nehemiah spends a lot of time confessing his sins and the sins of his people. How comfortable are you with reflecting on sins and mistakes? Is confession a part of your prayers?
      • Is there anything in your life you need to confess in order to move forward?
      • Nehemiah also spends time in this prayer reflecting on the story of God’s faithfulness to his people, and his plan for them and for the world. How would you tell this story as it relates to us as Christians today?
      • Do you reflect on the story of God’s faithfulness in your prayers? How might this help you in difficult times?
    1. Read Nehemiah 2:1-8 and the refer back to the prayer in 1:5-11 as well.

Questions:

      • What connections do you see between Nehemiah’s prayers and the approach he takes with the king of Persia (ie. his plan)?
      • Do you pray before you make your plans, or do you plan and pray that it just works out? Do you pray once at the start, or do you pray along the way?
      • How well do you think we do this as individual Christians and churches today?
    1. Read Nehemiah 2:9-16. Take note of everything that Nehemiah does in these verses.

 Questions:

      • In these verses we see Nehemiah make preparations and take action in a more or less balanced way.
        • Are you someone who is better at preparing or taking action? Do you find one easier than the other – if so why?
      • One important result of Nehemiah’s work in this section is that he gets thorough assessment of the problem he and the people of Jerusalem are facing.
        • If there is something that needs rebuilding in your life right now, have you made a realistic assessment of the situation?
        • If so, does this encourage you to action or leave you feeling overwhelmed?

Worship In-Person & Online – February 20, 2022

This Sunday February 20 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.

Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus is the Bread of Life” Premiers at 8:30am

You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE

Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am

Order of Service

Call to Worship – Psalm 34:1-4, 7-8

Opening Prayer

Song: “Cornerstone”

Old Testament – Nehemiah 2:17-18; 3:1-5, 28-30

Gospel – John 6:25-38

Message – “Rebuilding (Part 1)”

Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision” #461

Closing Prayers

Blessing

News & Announcements

    • Online Bible Study Resources: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. You will receive an email with a link to the study resources and a printable copy of the questions from me each week on Sunday after worship.
    • Latest Vaccination Information: Third doses of COVID-19 vaccine (aka booster shots) are available to everyone 18 years of age and over. The required waiting time for a third dose is 3 months (84) from your second dose. To confirm that you are eligible go to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. You can book your vaccination or booster through the City of Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination. Getting your third dose of vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
    • For  more St. Andrew’s news and information sign up for our weekly newsletter from the Office of St. Andrew’s standrewsancaster@gmail.com.

Family Worship & Learning – February 20, 2022

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 20. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to chapter 6.

Today’s Question

“Name a food that lasts a really long time?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Feb 20, 2022

Family Worship Video

Available at 8:30am Sunday

Big God Journal and Other Activities

Journal Page – Feb 20, 2022

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to  video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:

Worship In-Person & Online – February 13, 2022

This Sunday February 13 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.

Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus Challenges” Premiers at 8:30am

You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE

Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am

Order of Service

Call to Worship – Psalm 80:1-7

Opening Prayer

Song: “Hope of the Nations”

Old Testament – Nehemiah 1&2 (selected verses)

Gospel – John 5:1-18

Message – “Rebuilding (Part 1)”

Hymn: “How Firm A Foundation” #686

Closing Prayers

Blessing

News & Announcements

    • Going Deeper (Study Resources): We’re a new series on the book of Nehemiah, and you can find a great summary of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/
    • Online & Zoom Bible Study: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. He would also like to offer a Zoom discussion group if there is sufficient interest. Please email me revjohnread@gmail.com by next Wednesday February 16 if you are interested in joining.
    • Latest Vaccination Information: Third doses of COVID-19 vaccine (aka booster shots) are available to everyone 18 years of age and over. The required waiting time for a third dose is 3 months (84) from your second dose. To confirm that you are eligible go to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. You can book your vaccination or booster through the City of Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination. Getting your third dose of vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family.