Read Nehemiah 5:14-19.  Have you ever found yourself out of your comfort zone or felt very inconvenienced by life circumstances or God’s calling on your life?  Nehemiah no doubt found himself a little out of his comfort zone and probably much inconvenienced going from the big and dynamic city of Susa to the rubble and hardship of Jerusalem.  But being a servant leader meant doing what it would it take to fulfill this calling and destiny of God on his life.

➢    Describe a recent time you found yourself out of your comfort zone.  How did you handle it?

Re-read Nehemiah 5:14.  Just as servant leadership means setting godly examples, Nehemiah refused to take advantage of his position as governor to lord it over his fellow Israelites.  Nehemiah led the people by his example of dignity and honor because he knew that true servant leaders use their position to liberate others and not themselves.  For you to be a servant leader of God, you too must realize that the increase of responsibility means giving up certain rights and privileges so that others can be built up.

➢    What are some of the entitlements and privileges you have from your current job or position in life?

➢    Have you ever had to give up any privileges in your life? What were they and why did you give them up?

Not only do servant leaders set godly examples, they also lead from the front.  In fact successful leaders are willing to take risks and be the first to go when the task is tough and the situation unsure.  In the whole wall building process, Nehemiah was always the first to go and to lead with courage both with great trust and reverence for God.  

➢    Have you ever experienced courageous leadership?  Explain.

➢    Have you ever had to “go first” in a scary project, tough situation, or in trying something new?  Explain.

You too are called to be a courageous leader, whether breaking old generational family curses, leading a new ministry, or breaking through the vicious cycle of complacency and mediocrity.  But you must be willing to take risks and try something new.

➢    What are the ‘things’ that try to keep you in a cycle of complacency and/or mediocrity?

➢    Have you ever been first in breaking an ongoing generational problem?

➢    Is there a generational curse or issue that you have in your life right now?  

Read John 13:14-17 & Matthew 22:8-9.  Not only do servant leaders lead from the front, they also love the most.  Because Nehemiah’s motivation was love for his people, he didn’t mind doing the dirty work required to secure the broken community.  Loving people always includes the whole community and Jesus gives us the greatest example of this attitude by always inviting all people to his banquet table.

➢    Who is currently at your banquet table or life party?  Are all invited?

➢    What is some ‘dirty work’ you are doing for love of people today?

➢    Where is God calling you to get out of your comfort zone and lead people by example?