What Do I Do With Injustice?

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. 2 Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” 4 Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” NEHEMIAH 5:1-5 NIV

WHAT DO I DO WITH INJUSTICE?

STEP 1: LISTEN UP – EMPATHY

STEP 2: SPEAK OUT – ADVOCACY

9 “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? NEHEMIAH 5:9 NIV

STEP 3: FIND IT, FIX IT – POLICY

10…let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them… NEHEMIAH 5:10-11 NIV

STEP 4: RELY ON GOD – MERCY

19 Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. NEHEMIAH 5:19 NIV

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

START HERE: Think of a time you saw someone use their position, power, or influence to help someone else. What makes that experience stand out to you?

START HERE: When you hear about injustice – in your family, workplace, community, or the world – what is your first response: get involved, stay quiet, feel overwhelmed, something else? Why?

KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 5:1-11 NIV. What about Nehemiah's response to the people's outcry stands out to you? How do you see the four steps (listen with empathy, speak with courage, fix what's wrong, and rely on God's mercy) working together?

KEEP GOING: In the face of injustice, which of the four steps comes most naturally to you? Which is the most challenging, and what would help you grow in that area?

KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 5:9-13 NIV. Nehemiah confronted injustice because he feared God more than people. Where in your life are you tempted to stay silent when you know something isn't right? What would you need to believe about God to speak up with both courage and grace?

KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 5:14-19 NIV. Nehemiah modeled the integrity he called others to live out. How could you model faith, love, or grace—even if you're the only one? What would you need to entrust to God so that you faithfully follow through, no matter the outcome?

LIVE IT OUT: Is there a situation in your life that is calling for you to respond with empathy, advocate for what's right, or help make something right? How might your response point someone else toward God?