Destroying something is easy. If you spend months building a house, then just give me 10 minutes and I will wreak havoc with it.

Building something can be difficult and time consuming. But it’s worth the effort.

“Building Lives” is our focus for Summer 2018. Readings from Nehemiah, Ezra, and Daniel will recount both physical building projects and spiritual building efforts.

We will then go verse-by-verse through the New Testament book of 1 John. This letter is recommended reading for new followers of Jesus. If you want a blueprint for building lives, then this is the place to start.

Your Pastor,

Stephen G. Hatfield

W E E K    O N E
By Dr. Stephen Hatfield

Monday
Nehemiah Introduction

Actually, we should call this Old Testament book, Ezra-Nehemiah. The Hebrew Bible treats Ezra and Nehemiah as one book. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the seventh year (7:8) of the Persian King Artaxerxes I (458 BC). Nehemiah followed during the King’s 20th year (445 BC; Nehemiah 2:1). Both of these men are found together (Nehemiah 8:9) at the reading of the Law and at the dedication of the wall (Nehemiah 12:26, 36).

Ezra tells the story of the rebuilding of the Temple, while Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of the walls around the city of Jerusalem.

Both books illustrate the importance of building and maintaining God’s house so the following generations may remember the faithfulness of God.