Today we conclude The Story message series, which means that we have covered both the Old and New Testaments over the last 2 years. That’s a big deal. It’s a reason to celebrate. So today there is no better way to conclude this series than with a celebratory scripture… The Feast of Trumpets! It’s how God’s people celebrated after the walls around Jerusalem were rebuilt, so let’s talk about it (and hear it).

Nehemiah 8:1-12

8 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Nehemiah 8:1-12.

2. Reflecting on the outline Pastor Chris used in the message, see if you can identify which verses reflect the various steps listed below:

a. Understand the law and begin weeping

b. Understand the Gospel and stop weeping

c. Rejoice and share

3. If you feel comfortable sharing a personal story, discuss a time when... 

a. your attempt to live apart from God (autonomously) resulted in weeping.

b. God’s love brought you such joy that it gave you the strength to stop weeping..

c. you could not help but share your joy such that you included someone in a celebratory meal.

For Families with Kids

1. Read and memorize Nehemiah 8:10b: “...And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

2. Grief is not just another word for being sad. Grief is a response when we lose something we value or love. It’s normal to experience grief. Is there a moment you remember grieving? Is there something you’re grieving over right now? What was it about the person or thing that you loved?

3. God’s Word today tells us not to “grieve” because of what we never lose in Him and His Word. What are things that God promises we will never lose in Him?

4. Read these passages and identify His strengthening promises even when we grieve: John 10:28-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Romans 8:38-39.