Christ Apostolic Church Leadership Sunday School Manual June 1, 2025: Title - GOD PREPARES EZRA AND NEHEMIAH FOR RESTORATION LEADERSHIP

Christ Apostolic Church Leadership Sunday School Manual June 1, 2025: Title - GOD PREPARES EZRA AND NEHEMIAH FOR RESTORATION LEADERSHIP

Theme: PREPARING GOD'S PEOPLE for LEADERSHIP

 JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 2025

 JUN 01, 2025.

 

 LESSON 20

 Unit 3: Leadership Preparation In The Old Testament (II)*

Topic: GOD PREPARES EZRA AND NEHEMIAH FOR RESTORATION LEADERSHIP

 Memory Scripture

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel (Ezra 7:10). 

God shaped Ezra and Nehemiah into leaders of restoration. This shows His divine ability.

 BRIEF COMMENT

Numerous individuals who claim to be leaders place great importance on personal accomplishments like wealth, possessions, and status, considering them to be the ultimate goals in life. Nevertheless, authentic leadership, bestowed upon us by the Creator of the cosmos, resides in our unwavering devotion to living in accordance with divine principles. True leaders are set apart by their unwavering commitment to adhering to divine guidance and imparting the teachings of Christ to others, encouraging them to align their lives accordingly. This is what made Priest Ezra to stand out in his generation. You can be better in this generation and beyond, if you follow suit. 

 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

 Mon. May 26: Lead With Sensitive And Smart Heart (Ezra 8:15) 

 Tue. May 27:* Seek Wisdom: God's Guidance Imparts (Ezra 8:16) 

 Wed. May 28:* Understand Your Crew: And Their Parts (Ezra 8:17a) 

 Thur. May 29:* Persuade With Truth: Let It Start (Ezra 8:17b) 

 Fri. May 30:* Pray Earnestly From The Heart (Ezra 8:18-20) 

 Sat. May 31:* Believe In Cleansing: Never Depart (Ezra 8:21-23) 

 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

 1. The most effective instrument that a leader can employ in building godly disciples and his leadership role is the Word of God.

 2. Leaders aren't just tasked with assessing the level of legal understanding and obedience but with teaching, judging and enforcing the Law of the Lord, like Ezra did. 

 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 6:1-25*

 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 AIM: To show how teaching and understanding the Word of God are essential for nurturing effective and biblical disciples. 

 OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, learners are expected to: 

i. have developed more interest in reading, meditating on, and doing God's Word for proper discipleship and discipline; and 

ii. be more dedicated and committed to teaching the undiluted Word of God as understood and exemplified. 

 INTRODUCTION

 TEXTUAL SOURCE: Ezra 7:1-10; Nehemiah 1:1-11-2:1-8*

We praise God for the previous lesson, *"MORDECAI GUIDES ESTHER IN BECOMING A GODLY LEADER,"* which taught us about God's purposeful guidance in preparing Mordecai to mentor Esther for her role as queen and to save His people from destruction. 

Today, our focus shifts to *"GOD PREPARES EZRA AND NEHEMIAH FOR RESTORATION LEADERSHIP."* Through the lives of Ezra and Nehemiah, we shall learn how God equips His servants for leadership, guiding them to reveal His will through His Word. Ezra and Nehemiah exemplified commitment to following God's directives in their leadership and ministry. As leaders today, we are called to lead God's people in accordance with His will, way and purpose alone. May we uphold this responsibility faithfully, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

LESSON OUTLINE 

I. EZRA'S PREPARATION 

II. NEHEMIAH'S PREPARATION

 LESSON EXPOSITION

 I. EZRA'S PREPARATION (Ezra 7:1-10)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel (v. 10). 

a) vv. 1-5: Ezra's divine call and lineage. Ezra hailed from a priestly lineage, setting him for leadership. God's choice of lineage often signifies a divine call to leadership (cf. Ex o leadership (cf. Exod. 28:1; Num. 16:3). 

b) vv. 6,9: ...the hand of the Lord his God was upon him (divine presence and anointing), hence his uniqueness (v. 10; cf. Gen. 39:2-3; 1 Sam. 18:14; Acts 7:9-10; 9:31; 2 Tim. 4:17). Anointing is essential for leaders' fulfilment (1 Sam. 16:13; Isa. 61:1). 

c) v. 6: God helped him to be a teacher who knew the Law of Moses very well (ERV). What a great quality essential for restoration leadership! 

d) v. 10: God enabled Ezra to prepare his heart to seek and obey His Law, granting him deep understanding. This is essential for effective leadership (Prov. 4:23). 

e) v. 6: Despite being in a foreign land, he devoted himself to studying and obeying God's Word. Devotion to God's Word is central for effective leadership and restoration (Jos. 1:8; Psa. 119:105). 

f) vv. 8-9: Despite his status, Ezra willingly sacrificed his position to serve God's people. Sacrificial service is fundamental for restoration leadership (Mk. 10:45; Php. 2:3-4). 

g) v. 10: He showed he was ready to lead and teach God's laws. Willingness is highly important for leaders chosen by God (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2). Leaders must prioritise God's will and statutes for estoration and spiritual growth (Deut. 6:6-7; Jas. 1:22-25). 

h) Ezra's determination and love for, and practice of God's Word equipped him for leadership (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The love for God's Word leads to effective leadership and restoration (Psa. 119:97; Jn. 14:15). 

 II. NEHEMIAH'S PREPARATION (Neh. 1:1-11-2:1-8) 

And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me (Neh. 2:8). 

a) 1:1; 2:8: Nehemiah's humble service in the palace positioned him for divine assignment, aligning his heart with God's favour, driven by his deep concern for Jerusalem (Psa. 90:17; Prov. 21:1). 

b) 1:2-4: Nehemiah's deep concern for Jerusalem's welfare led to an empathetic response. This shows the heart of a godly leader (Rom. 12:15). 

c) vv. 3-4,5-9: Nehemiah's response to the city's distress displayed empathy and grief, leading him to fervent prayer for God's intervention (cf. Rom. 12:15; Jas. 5:16). 

d) vv. 5-11: Nehemiah's fervent intercessory prayer acknowledged God's sovereignty, seeking His favour and aligning with His will (cf. Jas. 4:10). 

e) 2:1-2,4-8: Despite his sorrow, Nehemiah found favour with the king and was encouraged by divine intervention. God helped him to secure approval for his plans (cf. Psa. 20:4; Prov. 16:7; 22:11). This enhanced his position to fulfil his mission. 

f) 2:3,8: Nehemiah's reverence for heritage and acknowledgment of God's hand in his success reflected his reliance on God's promises (cf. Mal. 4:6; Jas. 1:17). 

g) God prepared Nehemiah for his God-given task of leadership and Nehemiah himself was cooperative with God in the process. We need such as we prepare for what the Lord has prepared for each and everyone of us to do for Him in the world. 

 LESSONS DERIVED

 1. Teaching God's love and laws leads to true repentance, confession and transformation for God's glory.

 2. Nehemiah prayed, planned and acted swiftly for his people's restoration, showing prayer alongside planning and action. 

 QUESTIONS

 1. Do we have leaders today like Nehemiah who can stand in the gap for the people?

 2. Why do we have leaders today who fail to pray and plan before acting? What are the consequences of this neglect? 

 SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

 ANSWER TO QUESTION 1

i. Yes, there are leaders today who exhibit qualities similar to Nehemiah, but they are relatively few in number. 

ii. Many modern leaders lack the commitment and selflessness seen in Nehemiah, prioritising personal gain over the welfare of the people. 

iii. Majority of today's leaders are selfish, self-centred, and driven by greed, neglecting the wellbeing of others. 

iv. Genuine leaders who stand in the gap for their people are valuable but not always easy to find. 

v. Some leaders contribute to the calamities faced by their followers and add to the problems of their mentees instead of offering solutions. 

vi. Many are not willing to take risks on behalf of their mentees, but are only interested in what they can get rather than what they can give out. 

vii. Yet, despite challenges, there are individuals striving to fill the role of standing in the gap for their communities. 

 ANSWER TO QUESTION 2 

Reasons for Failure to Pray and Plan: 

 Lack of spiritual grounding, or regeneration. 

Absence of consciousness of God in their activities. 

 Reliance solely on personal understanding, forsaking God's guidance. 

Failure to prioritise the Word of God as their guiding force. 

 Deficiency in the fear of God, leading to moral lapses. 

 Forgetting their accountability to God for their leadership. 

Tendency to be judgmental and lacking compassion towards others. 

 Overconfidence in their own abilities, neglecting humility and dependence on God. 

 Consequences of Neglecting Prayer and Planning:

Leadership failures due to lack of divine guidance. 

Disappointment from both God and the people they lead. 

 Incomplete projects, or initiatives due to inadequate foresight. 

Lack of success in leadership endeavours, leading to stagnation. 

 Absence of the Holy Spirit's guidance in leadership decisions. 

Increased likelihood of negative outcomes and moral compromises when God is excluded. 

 LIFE APPLICATION

A church was once called upon to pray and intercede for a member of his church who was seriously ill. Upon arriving at the sick man's location, he scrutinised him and asked, "When was the last time you paid your tithe and offering, and how much did you contribute?" The sick man, in agony, did not respond. The man's relatives questioned the pastor about the relevance of tithes and offerings to the situation. However, his reply further astonished everyone present. He stated, "Before I offer prayers or address your situation, you must settle at least six months' worth of tithes and donate #20,000 towards the on-going church project." He then added, "Considering your condition, I understand you may be unable to fast or attend prayer gatherings. So, you should purchase a tin of Bournvita tea, milk, and a crate of eggs so that I can intercede on your behalf." 

It is essential to remember that, regardless of the positions we hold, we will one day be held accountable to God Who places us there. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of God's presence and how we interact with those under our care. We should be sensitive to their well-being.  

 CONCLUSION 

Ezra and Nehemiah had played a prominent role in carrying out their God-given responsibilities. They submitted themselves to God Who prepared them for the restoration of His people and fulfilled His purpose for their leadership. They didn't fail God, their generation and themselves. Be another Ezra and Nehemiah to learn God's law, be rooted in it as you enforce and teach it to others. Be concern about the wellbeing of others.  

 NOTE