AaronMarcelli.org » Bible Study

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 9

Aaron Marcelli — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:09:11 +0000

Draw connections between repentance and worship
Remind yourselves of past victories
Learn from the mistakes of those before you
Praise does not have to be profound or exaggerated
Be secure enough you can brag on and praise others
Own up to the wrongs of those you elected to lead

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 7

Aaron Marcelli — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:54:11 +0000

The leader is ultimately responsible for everything
Have godly reasons for choosing those you put in leadership
Give specific and clear directions
Be adequately staffed for what you’re doing
There’s nothing wrong with knowing the numbers
Sometimes the work has to come before the funds

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 6

Aaron Marcelli — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:04:07 +0000

Once you achieve great things people will all of the sudden want to talk to you
The work you’re called to is more important than proving your critics wrong
- Any distraction is a hindrance
Your motives will be judged
People will pretend to be on your side in order to persuade you
Don’t spend any more time than necessary in responding to lies
It’s ok to use opposition as motivation but keep God your focus
Be sensitive to God-given intuition
Having a great work ethic will silence many critics
Looking back, the opposition is never as great as the completed vision

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 5

Aaron Marcelli — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:08:13 +0000

Opposition will come form those who cause it to hurt the most
- Their reasoning will be good, logical things but will pull you away from what’s best
The emotionally weak will fail
The leader is responsible to confront moral failings in his followers
- Set this precedence even with few followers – you won’t be a people pleaser
Realize there may be true accusations thrown at you
- Those are to be dealt with but do not mean your entire work is wrong
The leader sets the tone in sacrifice and generosity
- Even when it’s not his obligation
When you’re busy doing the work, you don’t have time to abuse your position
Know the hardships of your people
- Remember, your work is for them

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 4

Aaron Marcelli — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:46:17 +0000

Expect your critics to draw a following
Involve the people who “have a heart for the work”
Your enemies will always find a reason to despise you
- Nehemiah’s enemies went from doubting they could to angry they did
Counter your enemies with prayer
Well meaning people will serve as discouragement in tough times
Know where you’re vulnerable and post guards
Charge your people by pointing them back to God
Be able to adjust to the needs and warnings
- Don’t just believe God will work it all out for you
There will be times when the work isn’t fun for ANYONE
Acknowledge the tough times your people are facing

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 3

Aaron Marcelli — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:09:05 +0000

When a move of God happens, it will attract a divers crowd
- In race
- In background
- In culture
- In finances
Followers will work as hard as their leader
Recognize even those who contribute a little

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 2

Aaron Marcelli — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:00:24 +0000

Be willing to share your burden/passion with those who ask
Take advantage of your connections who have power
Ask for what you want and don’t be ashamed
Have a plan
Be practical in knowing your needs and limitations
Allow God to develop the dream in you
Be willing to sacrifice for it (for Nehemiah this was in the form of sleep)
Get dirty in discovering the “mess” – because vision is in response to a problem
Honestly lay out the problem
Challenge others to work
Let people know you’ve heard from God
Have faith in the face of opposition
Don’t allow those with divisive plans close to the work
You don’t have to have new or creative ideas but just be willing to do what needs to be done

Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah – Chapter 1

Aaron Marcelli — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:30:01 +0000

I have begun reading through the book of Nehemiah and just keeping a list of all the leadership principles I come across. I cannot believe a church planter has not written a book yet about all the principles in Nehemiah that apply to ministry and church planting.

These leadership nuggets though apply to all fields and I’m going to use the next several posts to share with you my findings.

Pray on behalf of those you’re burdened for
Know the people’s sins so you can intercede for them
- And own those community sins. You cannot detach yourself from the people and reach them.
Claim God’s promises that relate to the situation
Specifically name what practical actions you are going to take and ask for success
Take action immediately “make me successful today”
Pray for the others you don’t even know who have the same burden or are called to the same work

Thoughts From God

Aaron Marcelli — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:58:16 +0000

A couple posts ago I wrote about how busy my life has been lately. I realized that with my busy schedule, one of the things I was making less time for was personal, alone time with God. Last week I took an entire morning alone with God. I prayed, I meditated of Scripture, I laid quiet before God, and I sat before God with an open journal and recorded what I heard God say. Taking a large chunk of time to be intentional about the health of my spiritual life and blocking everything out is something God will honor. He did with me as I felt confident and refreshed at the end of the day. I was able to settle myself before God in a position to where I could easily hear from Him. Let me share with you some of the thoughts I ended up writing down as a result of that time.

Is my relationship with God the way I want it?
What do I even want from a relationship with Him?
Am I just coming to Him without aim or expectation?

God, are YOU happy with our relationship?
In what ways am I hindering us?

There is nothing wrong with feeling like things are all good between God and me. I have been conditioned to look for the weakness or to focus on the sinfulness. If I’m open and honest before God and He does not point out any disobedience or sin, it’s not arrogance or denial to admit I feel good that things are ok.

Am I making God happy? Is He happy and pleased with me?

What is my motive for ministry?
When I see myself in ministry, what do I picture?
Why do I want that?

Salvation is what’s best for people. – Romans 10:1

Am I praying for salvation for Chattanooga?

We are to trust God to shape the right living in us.

“God has set everything right between Him and me.”

Allow God to pursue His interest in me. Allow Him to nurture my belief.

God, allow me to minister to people and to see life change. Allow me the confidence and strength to initiate conversations (with strangers) and pursue relationships.

Is any of my money being spent on sin?
Am I doing anything questionable or wasteful with the money I make?
If so, God is not going to bless my finances.

Embracing what God does for me is the best thing I can do for Him.

The Bible commands us to take initiative in doing good and to be aware of the needs around us. – Romans 12

Book Review: The Voice New Testament

Aaron Marcelli — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:42:03 +0000

I received a copy of The Voice New Testament from Thomas Nelson Publishers to review. I’m always open to new translations and was excited to get a copy of this devotional Bible. The Voice is a compilation translation with many modern scholars coming together to provide the Bible text translation and than many major voices for Christianity contributing to the devotional and commentary writing that is inserted in boxes among the text.

As soon as the paper back NT arrived I reviewed the preface and introduction. I think doing this was crucial as it tells the heart and story behind Chris Seay’s motivation for finally making this project happen. Those who are critical of new Bible versions and look for traditional, exact translation should read those opening sections to understand what The Voice claims to be and what it does not claim to be. These sections discuss how previous translators have “flattened out” the personalities of the 40 original Bible authors and how in not doing that they brought together a group of diverse scholars so some of the controversial passages would not be bent toward a single doctrinal view.

I then chose to read through the book of Romans. I found this translation to be thought provoking and easy to read though, to me, it did not have the power or richness of my favorite Bible translation, The Message. If you are looking for a new take on things and are fans of Brian McLaren and Chris Seay (both contributing writers) I think The Voice would be worth checking out.