This week’s reading might not look promising in terms of Family Worship, but there are two are three themes that are, in fact, rich for children to engage with. First, this week’s bricks... could include ideas such as ‘vision’ and ‘team-work’ or perhaps – depending on age - ‘survey’ (as Nehemiah takes the time to understand the actual state of affairs, rather than relying on second hand accounts).
But once we get another brick in the wall (sorry!) there is a great opportunity to explore how everyone gets involved with bringing the vision of Nehemiah (and remember who Nehemiah represents – the Great Church Builder, Matt.16:18) into reality. No-one is off doing their own thing, or doing it in their own way!! That would be chaos, and at the end of the day no wall worthy of the name would have been built. Everyone throughout Neh.3 (with the exception of the Tekoan nobles, 3:5) is getting stuck in. But everyone is working to a pre-agreed vision that has been cast by Nehemiah. The long list of names might seem tedious, but is actually a way of recognising and honouring the work being done.
so: two questions for you to reflect on as a family in Family Worship time this week...
(i) where are we involved and taking responsibility for building Jesus’ vision in to the life of the Church?
(ii) who else is involved, and how could we recognise and honour them for what they do for MIE? Could we send them a card thanking them for what they do? Can we pray for those involved in different areas of MIE’s life and ministry each day this week?
For older children / youth, there are deeper conversations about taking responsibility in the life of the Church. It is tempting to start with the question of what I feel I am ‘gifted’ to do, or where my experience might put me – but then, it is unlikely that perfume makers (3:8), or goldsmiths (3:32) would have ever got involved! In Neh.3, they started with the question of what needed to be done to make Nehemiah’s vision a reality. We end up with very different answers, depending on which questions we start with!
Another question that older children / youth might enjoy exploring is whether Nehemiah is right to refuse the help of those who aren’t Christians (3:20)? Why does He do this? Is it still right for the Church to decline help from those who aren’t Christians?
Rend Collective: Build your kingdom here
