How can we apply the principles of Nehemiah 11:35 to our church today? Scripture Verse at a Glance “Lod, Ono, and in the Valley of the Craftsmen.” – Nehemiah 11:35 Historical Snapshot • Families from the tribe of Benjamin resettled strategic towns after the exile. • Their choices weren’t random; each location served a purpose in restoring the nation’s life, worship, and economy. Principles We Can Draw • Purposeful Placement – God positions His people where they are most needed. • Diverse Communities – The list shows urban (Lod), rural (Ono), and vocational (Valley of the Craftsmen) settings working together. • Celebrating Vocation – “Valley of the Craftsmen” spotlights skilled labor as part of covenant life. • Kingdom Collaboration – Towns functioned as a network, not isolated units. Applying These Principles to the Local Church 1. Serve Where God Plants You • Acts 17:26 – God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” • Be fully present in your neighborhood, school, or workplace; treat it as a mission field. 2. Value Every Setting • Whether a city campus, a rural congregation, or an online gathering, each context matters. • Philippians 1:12 – Paul’s chains advanced the gospel; location never limits God. 3. Affirm All Callings • Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord.” • Highlight trades, arts, business, homemaking, and ministry alike during testimonies or commissioning moments. 4. Build Interconnected Ministry Hubs • Ephesians 4:16 – The body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” • Partner with nearby churches and parachurch groups to share resources, training, and outreach. 5. Encourage Relocation for Gospel Advance • Some believers may feel called to move and strengthen a struggling church plant, just as Benjamites settled strategic towns. • Romans 10:14-15 – Sent ones carry the good news where it’s scarce. 6. Cultivate Skillful Excellence • Exodus 31:3 – Bezalel was “filled…with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship.” • Offer workshops, mentor programs, or internships that fuse faith and craft. Putting It into Practice This Month • Map your congregation: note members’ neighborhoods, workplaces, and giftings. • Pair skilled tradespeople with youth for hands-on discipleship. • Host a joint service with a sister church in a different context (urban-rural swap). • Commission a family relocating for career reasons as intentional “planters.” • Feature a short Sunday spotlight on how a member’s vocation advances kingdom values. Living the Lesson Like Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen, our varied settings and skills become strongholds for worship and witness when each believer embraces God’s purposeful placement and partners with the wider body. |
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