Jeremiah (week 2)

We’ve seen the challenges that Jeremiah faced after receiving his call to be God’s spokesman. Much more of that will be seen in these next few chapters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week Two: Jeremiah 14-26

A Fire Within

We’ve seen the challenges that Jeremiah faced after receiving his call to be God’s spokesman. Much more of that will be seen in these next few chapters.

The last four kings of Judah were particularly opposed to following the way of God that Jeremiah was preaching. There also seemed to be an abundance of false prophets who tried to convince everyone that things weren’t as bad as Jeremiah presented them, and that they didn’t need to make any changes. The people were more prone to follow the king and the false prophets than they were to follow Jeremiah. He was put in prison and beaten, as well as ignored.

As you can imagine, that took a toll on Jeremiah and became a challenge to his faith. He was tempted to quit. But God had placed His word in Jeremiah’s heart. It was like a fire within him, and he found that he was quite incapable of shutting up.

I can’t keep it to myself! That’s the kind of conviction that Jeremiah had and that we all want. Pray for that as you study these next few chapters.

Day 1

Gone Too Far Read Jeremiah 14 – 15.

a. Jeremiah prayed for the people (14:7), but once again God told him not to pray for their well-being (14:11). Why do you think God told him that?

b. While God’s view was that things were very serious, what were some of the prophets telling the people (14:13 – 14)?

c. To show how serious it was, God said that even if ______________________ and _________________ were to pray for them, it would do no good (15:1). Ouch!

d. Even though the wound seemed incurable (15:18), what was Jeremiah’s only hope for himself personally (15:19)?

e. Pray that these words will have a lasting and profound impact on your life.

Day 2

Searching the Heart Read Jeremiah 16 – 17.

a. The disaster that was coming was the result of following the stubbornness of evil hearts instead of obeying God (16:12). Again, though, in spite of that, what is God’s hope for their future (16:14 – 15)?

b. God wanted to teach them His ______________ and _____________ (16:21). Why is that also important for you to learn?

c. What cursing and blessing is mentioned in 17:5 – 7? (Compare with Psalm 1.)

d. Why do you think that the heart is so deceitful (17:9)?

e. The scriptures often remind us that God searches the heart (17:10). How will you apply that to your life today?

Day 3

Can’t Quit Read Jeremiah 18 – 20.

a. The potter does what seems best to him (18:4). How does that comfort you, as you think of God being your potter?

b. What kind of response did the people of Jeremiah’s day give to him (18:18)?

c. What did God teach through the object lesson of the clay jar in chapter 19?

d. What else happened to Jeremiah as a result of his preaching (20:1 – 2)?

Jeremiah was tempted to quit and not ever mention God. But what was his own conviction about that (20:9)?

e. How does all of this apply to you?

 

Day 4

False Shepherds and False Prophets Read Jeremiah 21 – 23.

a. Jeremiah 21 – 22 is a message from the LORD about the last four kings of Judah. How would you summarize this message?

b. The king before them (Josiah) had been righteous and knew the LORD (22:15 – 16). As a contrast, though, these kings were focused on what (22:17)?

c. What do false shepherds (leaders) do to the people of God (23:1 – 4)?

d. What prophesy about Jesus is given in 23:5 – 8?

e. The false prophets spoke their own words and stole one another’s words, claiming to be speaking for God (23:25 – 40). What was going to be the result?

f. Pray about how you will apply this.

Day 5

70 Years of Captivity Read Jeremiah 24 – 26.

a. What did the illustration of the two baskets of figs (chapter 24) illustrate?

Note the reference again to the covenant promise in verse 7.

b. Jeremiah had been prophesying for how long now (25:3)?

c. What did Jeremiah predict would happen to Babylon after the 70 years of captivity (25:11 – 12)?

d. Once again, Jeremiah was threatened for his preaching (26:8 – 9). Are you getting a strong impression about the courage of this prophet?

However, some of the elders came to Jeremiah’s defense, by quoting the prophet Micah from the days of Hezekiah. What was their point to the people of Jeremiah’s day (26:17 – 19)?

e. What do you learn from all of this to apply to your life today?

 

Week Two Summary A Fire Within

Deep Conviction: did you get it?

As you close this week’s study, write a summary of your convictions.

Put it in your heart.

Quote the memory verse for the week.

Share it.

Call or visit someone and share your thoughts from this week’s studies.

Prepare for worship and fellowship.

Recommended Scripture: Psalm 39

Recommended Song: I Can’t Keep it to Myself