Rise Up and Build
2011-12 School Theme
…And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. –Nehemiah 2:18
I. Assess the Task at Hand
A. A new school year brings a new beginning.
1. New things give us an opportunity to start over.
2. A new school year means you have a challenge to do better than last year.
B. A new challenge to build a new wall.
1. Nehemiah faced a new challenge. He had to lead the people to build a wall around their city.
2. The wall was to separate them from their enemies and other nations.
C. The Scriptures were read, explained and understood. (Neh. 8:8)
● So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
II. Put Your Name to It
A. They signed a covenant. (Neh. 9:38)
● And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
B. School faculty, students and parents are to be held to this covenant.
C. Broken commitment.
The football team of Hoquiam High School, the state of Washington, signed a “Code of Conduct.” When they broke their code, the high school principal canceled the season. Of course the ACLU sued the school and the principal, but his decision stuck. A football player said, “You sign it (the Code) because you have to—to play . . . you don’t really believe them. You sign then to get what you want.”
The media made a big deal of canceling the season. An opinion poll revealed 85% of the population backed the high school principal.
III. Determine to Succeed
A. Challenge yourself by holding yourself accountable before the Lord to this handbook.
● Determine to “Rise Up and Build” yourself in the Lord.
B. Challenge your students by holding them accountable as well.
● My goal this year is to see our students mature spiritually; regardless of their age.
Concl: The Challenge to Rise Up and Build
A. From Start: …And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. (Neh. 2:18)
B. To Finish: So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. (Neh. 6:15)
