For Sunday, July 31, 2011

1) Jeremiah 31:1-6

How is the time period this prophecy is describing different than Israel/Judah pre-exile? In what way was the exile a “rest’ or “grace in the wilderness” for the people? What does verse 3 teach us about God’s view of us/ How does God draw people into relationship with Him? How has He drawn you? What was God’s hopeful promise to the exiles in verses 4-6?

2) Jeremiah 31:15-17

Who was Rachel? (See Genesis 29:9-20) Why were the exiles to have hope? Why did this hope require faith?

Jeremiah 31:27-30

What will be different about the new era God had planned? What does the saying in verse 29 mean? What might have motivated the exiles to say it? How does verse 30 add to it?

3) Jeremiah 31:31-34

How would the new covenant be different from the old? What does this covenant teach us about God? How was this prophecy fulfilled?

Ezekiel 26:22-28 (Another prophecy about the new covenant.)

Why did God enact a new covenant? How does this prophecy compare with Jeremiah 31:31-34?

4) Read about some other covenants: (In each passage, to whom did God speak?)

Genesis 9:9-11; Genesis 15:18-21; Exodus 19:3-6; Numbers 25:10-13; 2 Samuel 7:11-16; 2 Samuel 23:5

For Sunday, July 24, 2011

1) Jeremiah 29:1-9

Who was Jeremiah to deliver this message to? Where was the audience? What was the message? How did these instructions oppose human logic or natural human emotions? What does it mean to seek the welfare of their city? What would that mean for us?

Jeremiah 29:10-14

What does God promise the exiles in this passage? How is this a good news/bad news message? What would happen before they would be restored?

2) Jeremiah 29:15-20

Why were they looking for a different prophet than Jeremiah? What was the danger in looking for a different prophet than the one God sent? What would be the consequences of their refusal to listen? When are you tempted to look for different instructions from God than what He’s already given?

Jeremiah 29:21-32

What did God have Jeremiah say about the false prophets? What would be their consequences?

3) Read about the 3 deportations to Babylon that took place.

Daniel 1:1-7; 2 Kings 24:10-14; 2 Kings 25:1-12

What was the progression in the deportation? Who was taken first? When did the most destruction occur?

Jeremiah 29:8-9

How can a person discern whether a prophet is a false prophet or a true prophet from God?

Deuteronomy 18:18-22

How would knowing this passage help the exiles? How could it help us?

4) Jeremiah 29:4-7

How do the following New Testament verses relate to God’s instructions to the exiles in Babylon?

Matthew 5:43-45; Romans 12:20-21; Titus 3:1-2

How do these instructions all relate to us?

For Sunday, July 17, 2011

1) Jeremiah 22:1-9

Who was Jeremiah to deliver this message to? What was the message? What is justice? Gilead was known for lush growth and medicinal plants. What would the other nations learn about God when Judah was destroyed?

2) Jeremiah 22:10-19

What was God’s message about King Shallum (Jehoahaz)? King Jehoiakim? What charges did God describe against the kings of Judah? According to God, where did the kings put their focus?

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

How would things have been different if the kings had consistently obeyed these commands?

Jeremiah 22:13

Is your house built with righteousness and justice? What is the evidence?

3) Jeremiah 22:21-23

How do these verses apply to the other verses in this lesson? In what ways do these verses apply (or not) to your life?

What is the definition of justice? What do these verses say about a life of justice?

Exodus 23:6-7; Deuteronomy 16:20; Proverbs 21:15; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 61:8

4) One definition of justice is “the order that God seeks to reestablish in His creation where all people receive the benefits of life with Him. (Includes penalties assigned and blessings handed out.) Do you agree or disagree with this definition? How does it differ from other definitions of justice that you have heard?

What do these verses say about a life of justice?

Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:38-40; James 1:27; Matthew 25:31-46

For July 10, 2011

1) Jeremiah 19:1-11

What was God’s message for Jeremiah to deliver? Why? Who did God command Jeremiah to have present for the message? How do you think the people felt about the message? About Jeremiah?

2) Jeremiah 20:1-4

What happened to Jeremiah, as a result of this prophecy? What was Jeremiah’s message to Pashur?

Jeremiah 20:7-11

How does Jeremiah respond to his circumstances? How does he feel about the message God has given him? What does he say about God in this passage?

3) Jeremiah 21:1-5

What were the officials asking Jeremiah to do? What was Jeremiah’s surprising answer? Was there any hope found in this message? How did God’s instructions compare with usual human wisdom? How would obeying God in this situation be an act of faith? How is obedience always an act of faith?

4) 2 Kings 24:17-20; 25:1-7

What further information do these verses give about the background of the circumstances of the passages of this lesson?

Isaiah 37:33-37

In Jeremiah 21:2, the officials mentioned “wonderful acts” of God. This Isaiah passage gives an example of a time God did rescue them. How was this time going to be different? Why?