the 52-day challenge

 
What inspired the 52-Day Challenge?

In 2016, while living in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, I took a class covering the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Two-thirds of the way through the class, I chose to relocate back to the States because of medical problems. At that time, I decided to entrust God with my plans to restore my physical and spiritual health. Like Nehemiah, I used a journal to document changes and challenges in my life. I also applied the same principles he had applied to motivate the Israelites. The Israelites worked to restore the physical wall; I worked to rebuild and strengthen my spiritual wall. Prayer further enhanced my spiritual outlook and relationship with the LORD. Writing this study guide was not part of my plan, but Christ seemed to be steering me in that direction. If I benefited from a personal study following Nehemiah’s principles of restoration, perhaps others could benefit as well. After much consideration, I decided to focus on keeping to a 52-day project, the length of time it took to rebuild the wall. During the 52 days, neither Nehemiah nor the laborers took time off.

(Neh. 4:22) “At the same time I also said to the people, ‘Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.’ So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.”

That’s how they managed to accomplish the rebuilding in 52 days. The good news is you won’t have to put in the same arduous hours as the workers, but you should plan to commit 20-30 minutes (or more) per day. If you’re with a Bible study group, remember this is not a competitive study to see who finishes first; it is about working together.

Ready, Set . . . Almost.
For this study, all you need is this website or if you prefer, a printed workbook, and a journal; a notebook works as well. In the printed workbook section, Nehemiah and Me, you can use the lines under Your Turn provided for additional notes or entries. No journal? No problem. Just request one under comments or send me a message, and I'll be happy to mail one. At this time, there is no charge for materials.Keeping a journal allows you to record your insights, challenges, and victories.

To get through this study in 52 days, each of the 13 chapters is divided into 4 days.

NEH 1: DAY 1, READY, START, READ begins with To Mex and Back, an introductory “real life” short story inspired by my time in Rosarito. Following the story section is the text from whatever chapter in Nehemiah (Revised King James Version,) you are studying. After reading the assigned chapter in Nehemiah, you can start reading the CLASS NOTES & CONNECTIONS compiled from classes and commentaries; highlighted passages or text boxes provide scriptures revealing how David, Nehemiah, and Jesus are connected.

NEH 1: DAY 2, CLASS NOTES & CONNECTIONS. Start or continue reading and think about the information provided. Throughout the different sections, you’ll find text boxes, some entitled THE JESUS CONNECTION providing information relevant to your reading.

NEH 1: DAY 3, NEHEMIAH & ME. If you aren’t already keeping a journal, prepare to embark on a journal-writing adventure. This is a perfect time to turn inward. Feel free to get creative. This is your time for reflection, set goals, pray and journal about what you’re learning. Before proceeding, I suggest you read entries I’ve included from my personal journal. What I write may pertain to the chapter, yet often evolves from my morning study. I learned there is more to keeping a journal than just writing a few words. You’ll find suggestions in “Keeping a Journal.”

NEH 1: DAY 4, PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE. Unlike the college courses I took, there will be no tests. Big smile! Oh, wait, I forgot that every day is a test, just getting up and going out into the world. So, on the fourth day of each chapter, you can charge up your spirit by going over the material from the past three days. Then, think about how you can put Nehemiah’s “Principles into Practice.”

This four-day pattern is repeated for each chapter in Nehemiah; each day is numbered consecutively up to Day 52. A customized calendar for the 52-Day Challenge is provided to help you keep track of which day you’re supposed to be on. After Day 52, I urge you to keep on the path of praying, reading, studying and journaling! My hope and prayer is that by using Nehemiah’s blueprints, you, too, can learn how to rebuild and reinforce your spiritual walls. For more information or if you have questions or comments, or just need encouragement, you can visit www.nehemiahandme.net or email me at wall52days@gmail.com.

Okay, let’s get started. Remember, it took 52 days to complete the wall. Just follow the study prompts for each day, you, too, will learn THE SECRET OF THE WALL!

Take the Challenge!