When Good Christians Become Good Citizens
Community Group Discussion Guide for the Week of October 5, 2025
Miss this week’s teaching? You can watch it here.
# Summary
Pastor Nick challenges us to move beyond comfort and become active participants in building the walls of their community, much like Nehemiah led the people to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He emphasizes that Christians need to stop merely complaining about cultural problems and instead become part of the solution by taking action in their own spheres of influence - their families, neighborhoods, and local institutions. The message highlights that the work of ministry belongs to all believers, not just church leaders, and that we should be motivated by compassion rather than comfort.
# Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would stir our hearts just as You stirred Nehemiah's. Remove our desire for comfort and replace it with compassion for the broken walls around us. Open our eyes to see where You are calling each of us to build and serve. May this discussion not just be words we hear, but action we take. In Jesus' name, amen.
# Ice Breaker
What's one small comfort in your daily life that you really enjoy but could probably live without if you had to?
# Key Verses
Nehemiah 4:6
Nehemiah 3:28
John 4:4
# Questions
Pastor Nick mentioned that 'a city without walls is vulnerable.' What are some 'walls' that you see broken down in our community today?
Pastor Nick emphasized building 'in front of your own house.' What area of influence in your life needs the most attention and rebuilding right now?
How has the pursuit of comfort affected your willingness to engage in difficult but necessary kingdom work?
Pastor Nick said, 'All legislation is moral - it's just a matter of whose morality we're legislating.' How does this perspective change how you think about civic engagement?
What's the difference between being motivated by anger versus being motivated by compassion? How have you seen both at work in your life?
Pastor Nick stated that 'Christianity isn't a comfortable relationship, it's a priestly relationship.' What does this mean to you practically?
What specific burden or area of concern has God placed on your heart that you might be avoiding because it would disrupt your comfort?
How can we better encourage and support each other in doing the work of ministry rather than expecting church leaders to do it all?
# Life Application
This week, identify one specific 'broken wall' in your sphere of influence - whether in your family, workplace, neighborhood, or local government. Instead of just complaining about it, take one concrete step toward addressing the issue. This might mean having a difficult conversation, volunteering your time, attending a meeting, or simply praying specifically for God's direction. Come prepared next week to share what you did and what you learned through the experience.
# Key Takeaways
The work of ministry belongs to all believers, not just church leaders - we are all called to build the walls of our community.
We should focus on building in our own areas of influence first - our families, neighborhoods, and local institutions.
Comfort is often an idol that prevents us from engaging in the difficult but necessary work of the Kingdom. Choose compassion over comfort.
Being motivated by compassion rather than anger or obligation leads to sustainable, transformative ministry.
God often calls us to areas where we feel unqualified, allowing His strength to be displayed through our weakness.
# Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for challenging us to move beyond comfort and complacency. We confess that we've often been content to identify problems without becoming part of the solution. Give us Nehemiah's heart - a mind to work and the courage to build where You've placed us. Equip us with Your compassion, Your wisdom, and Your perseverance. As we leave this discussion, may we not just be hearers of the Word but doers, actively building Your Kingdom in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Use us as Your instruments of restoration in a broken world. In Your mighty name we pray, amen.