How can we apply the teamwork seen in Nehemiah 3:26 to our church? Verse at a Glance “The temple servants living on the Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.” (Nehemiah 3:26) What We Learn About Teamwork - Specific people—“the temple servants”—took ownership of a clearly defined section. - They worked where they lived (“on the Ophel”), showing that ministry begins right where God has placed us. - Their task was connected to the adjoining sections, proving that each group’s obedience helped the whole wall stand. - The verse is recorded as literal history, assuring us that God notices and values every cooperative effort for His kingdom. Principles for Our Church Today 1. Ownership: Everyone has a section of the “wall.” No gift or role is insignificant (1 Corinthians 12:18). 2. Locality: Serve first in your immediate context—home, neighborhood, congregation (Acts 1:8, the pattern of “Jerusalem…Samaria…ends of the earth”). 3. Integration: My ministry must connect with yours so the entire “wall” is continuous (Ephesians 4:16). 4. Visibility: God records names and tasks; He still sees every usher, teacher, musician, and caretaker (Hebrews 6:10). Practical Steps to Put It into Action • Map the “wall.” List every ministry and determine which parts may be missing stones or workers. • Invite members to match their skills to a specific section—children’s class, hospitality table, sound booth, visitation team. • Encourage ministry overlap. Schedule joint meetings so teams understand how their segment ties into the next. • Place people where they already “live.” A believer active in a neighborhood association can become liaison for local outreach. • Celebrate progress publicly, just as Nehemiah’s record highlighted each finished portion. Share testimonies in services or newsletters. Encouraging One Another Along the Wall - Speak life: “Two are better than one…a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9,12). - Pray for adjoining teams; thank God aloud for visible and behind-the-scenes servants. - Rotate volunteers when possible so everyone appreciates different parts of the wall. - Keep eyes on the larger mission—strengthening the witness of the church—so personal preferences don’t overshadow kingdom unity (Philippians 1:27). As the temple servants stood shoulder to shoulder on the Ophel, so we lock arms today, confident that the same faithful God is building His church through our coordinated obedience. |
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