Biblical Passages: Neh. 7:1-5; Neh. 11:1-2; Neh. 8; Neh. 9; Neh. 10:29-39; Neh. 13:10-14 Background/Setting: Essentials for Communities to Thrive ● who … ○ Live faithfully and lead skillfully as pacesetting - high character ○ Select wisely the next leaders (7:1-2) ○ Walk with & of God - high character ○ Lead out in of God and followers. (8:10-12) ● who … ○ Follow the Word and of God (8:1-3, 8:18) ■ God & worship Him (8:5-6, 8:10-12) ■ Take steps forward (8:16-17) ■ Experience and express joy (8:17) ■ Confession (9:2-3) ■ Reflect on faithfulness of God (9:5b-7) ○ Follow their leaders (8:9-10) ○ Volunteer to help the whole - repopulate (11:1-2) ○ Work using their experience and roles to serve the whole community ○ Bind themselves to each other around a agreement to follow God (10:29-39) ○ Do not the house of God and their leaders (10:35-39; 13:10-14) Application: ● I am committing to ______________ to do my part to help my family, community or church. ● I am seeking to grow in my faith in the following way ● I would like to receive Christ and/or lock arms (join) with this church body to advance God’s Kingdom.