Built To Build – Built From The Inside Out (Week 5)
Preacher: Pastor Stephen Scott
Worship:
Spend a few moments worshipping together, inviting God to do a deep work in your heart.
Suggested Worship Song:
- Build My Life – Pat Barrett
Ask God not only to use you, but to transform you. Pray that He would build in you what He wants to build through you.
Check-in:
Take a few moments to connect as a group.
- What was a highlight from your week?
- What stood out most to you from Sunday’s message?
- What is one way God has been speaking to you recently?
Key Scriptures:
- Nehemiah 5:1-9
- Nehemiah 8:1-12
- Hebrews 4:12
- Psalm 119:105
- Psalm 19:8
- John 1:1-5
Sermon Summary:
As the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, Nehemiah discovered that the greatest threat to the project was not only external opposition, but also issues within the people themselves. While the work on the outside was progressing, relationships, motives, and character issues inside the community were being exposed.
The message reminded us that it is possible to be active for God while neglecting the condition of our hearts. We can serve, give, lead, and participate in church activity while still carrying unforgiveness, pride, bitterness, insecurity, or unresolved hurt. God is not only interested in what we build, but also in who we become while we build it.
When the wall was completed, the people gathered and asked Ezra to bring out God’s Word. As Scripture was read and explained, the people were deeply moved because they saw their lives in light of God’s truth. God’s Word exposed what needed changing, but it also reminded them of God’s faithfulness and grace.
The central challenge of the message was that real transformation happens from the inside out. God’s Word deserves our attention, reverence, and expectation because it has the power to shape our hearts, reveal what needs healing, and produce lasting change.
Discussion Questions:
- The Inside Matters
The message reminded us that the greatest opposition is not always outside of us, but can sometimes be within us.
Are there areas of your heart, attitudes, or thinking that God may be highlighting or wanting to work on in this season? - Activity vs. Intimacy
One of the key challenges was that activity for Jesus should never replace intimacy with Jesus.
Why do you think it’s so easy to become busy doing things for God while neglecting time with God? What helps you stay connected to Him? - Bring Out the Book
When the people gathered in Nehemiah 8, their request was simple: “Bring out the Book.”
What role does God’s Word currently play in your life, and what might it look like to approach Scripture with greater expectancy, attention, or reverence? How can you stay focused on what matters most?
Prayer Pointers:
Pray together for:
- Hearts that remain soft and responsive to God.
- Freedom from unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, or hidden struggles.
- A renewed hunger for God’s Word.
- Greater intimacy with Jesus, not just activity for Jesus.
- Wisdom and courage to allow God to transform us from the inside out.
- Continued growth and health across the Edgemead and Goodwood campuses.
Weekly Application:
This week, spend intentional time in God’s Word each day. Before you read, simply pray: “Lord, build in me what You want to build through me.”
As you read, ask:
- What does this passage reveal about God?
- What does it reveal about me?
- What is one step of obedience God is inviting me to take?
Write down anything God highlights and bring it to Him in prayer.
