Whether you are a new or established group, consider the following activity: pair up with someone and spend about 5 minutes asking each other some questions (where did you grow up, what was your first job and what do you do now, what’s your typical weekend look like, etc.). Then, return to the group and take turns spending about 1 minute introducing your partner to the group. Eric talked this weekend about his orthodontic braces and retainer. Has anyone had any experience with braces (personally, or with a family member)? What was it like, and did you wear your retainer? In the Nehemiah story, after the community of people miraculously rebuilt the wall around the city of Jerusalem, they made the decision to be and to live like the people of God again. Read Nehemiah 9:38 and Nehemiah 10:28-35. What words stand out to you in these verses? What commitments do you see the people of Israel making? Read Nehemiah 13:6-11, 15-18, and 23-27. How does this relate to the commitments the Israelites made in chapter 10, and what did Nehemiah do in response? Eric talked about two different types of leadership challenges: the challenge of getting things together and the challenge of keeping things together. What do you think about these two types of challenges? Do you have any examples in your life that relate to either of these challenges? Nehemiah helped the Israelites “keep things together” and return to their commitments. Have you had someone in your life that helped you either stay on track with your goals or return to your goals after straying? Who was that, and how did that go? Which leadership challenge do you need help with (getting clarity on things God wants you to pursue, or getting help to stay on course)? And how can we as a group help with you with that? As we wrap up our series on Nehemiah, The Power of Everybody, take turns sharing something about someone else in the group you are thankful for, and end in prayer, thanking God for each person in the group.