Question to Children:
Which city did God choose for His people to worship His name there?
Answer: Jerusalem. “Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there...” 2 Chr 6:6a.
Question to Intermediates:
How did Nehemiah react when he learned of the situation in Jerusalem and of the people who lived there?
Answer: He was very sad, wept, and for a few days he fasted and prayed. “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Neh 1:4.
Questions to Adolescents:
What news did Nehemiah receive that made him pray and fast?
Answer: “And they said to me, the survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” Neh 1:3.
Question to Children:
How many days did Nehemiah examine the destroyed walls and doors?
Answer: Three days. "And I arrived in Jerusalem and was there for three days." Nehemiah 2:11.
Question to intermediates:
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah spent three days examining the destroyed walls and doors. What do these days represent?
Answer: They represent the death and resurrection of Jesus. "And I arrived in Jerusalem and was there for three days." Nehemiah 2:11.
Question to adolescents:
What is the secret of the third day?
Answer: Jesus died, but is alive among us. "He is not here, because he has already risen on the third day and as he said." Mt 28: 6a.
Question to Children:
What does the sword represent, which was one of the weapons that Nehemiah and the people used?
Answer: God’s Word. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” Ephesians 6:17.
Question to intermediates:
What was Nehemiah’s reaction when he heard that the enemies wanted to wage war against Jerusalem?
Answer: He and the people prayed to God and prepared for war. “Nevertheless, we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.” Nehemiah 4:9.
Question to adolescents:
What did Nehemiah answer when the enemies invented lies against him, trying to discourage him of that great work?
Answer: Nehemiah persevered and said to them: “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build...”(Nehemiah 2:20b).
Question to Children:
Who did Nehemiah put to guard the city of Jerusalem?
Answer: The guards. We must watch and pray. “... and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.” Nehemiah 7:3b.
Question to intermediates:
How long should the gates of Jerusalem remain closed and locked?
Answer: Until the sun warms up, that is, we will be faithful until Jesus returns. “And I said to them: Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; ...” Nehemiah 7:3a.
Question to Adolescents:
How should the doors of Jerusalem stay until the sun warms up and what does that mean for us?
Answer: They should be closed and locked. This represents the servant defined in serving the Lord. “And I said to them: Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.” Nehemiah 7:3