Jeremiah Encouraged God's People
Dear families,
God’s Word is living, active, sharp, powerful, and profitable. (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) The Bible indicates that by the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s words teach, rebuke, correct, and train us so that we are fully put together for the work that God has created us for. The Bible is full of stories, illustrations, commands, warnings, and heart-provoking questions that provide for us everything we need.
Yet, throughout our lives, we intentionally disregard God’s words for us. We are guilty of the same thing that Jeremiah 29:19 describes—not listening to God’s words.
When we know God’s words and know that God’s words are good for us, why do we continuously neglect them? The answer is simple: we prefer our own way.
Throughout the Bible, God warns us by direct command and historical example. We find explicit instructions to obey God’s words and explicit assurances of the pending consequences for refusing to obey His words. We find instances where God executes His justice on those unknowingly ignorant toward His instructions and those blatantly defiant toward Him.
God takes His words seriously and expects that we do the same.
What is your relationship to God’s words given to us in the Bible? Are you distant, aware, knowledgeable, or in awe? Are you dismissive, forgetful, interested, or obedient? God’s expectation is that we would hear and obey His words, that we would seek His truth and live His truth, and that we would know His instructions and heed them.
The reality is that we all will fail to do this, but there is hope because of the One who has the title "The Word.” Jesus, the living Word of God, lived a perfect life in full obedience to God and His words, yet He died the death that we deserve so that in our failure, we might find hope.
The answer to our struggle to listen and obey God’s words is not better listening, but a greater love of God, a greater hope in His Son, and a greater trust in His Spirit. His expectations are great, but His mercy is more.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
· Babies & Toddlers: God saves His people. One day, God will send a new, forever King—King Jesus.
· Younger Preschool: Jeremiah the prophet told God’s people that God was going to save them. God would send a new King—a forever King—Jesus.
· Older Preschool: God did not give up on His people. Jeremiah the prophet told God’s people that God was going to save them. Later, from David’s family, God would raise up Jesus to be a new King—a forever King.
· Kids: God did not abandon His people. The prophet Jeremiah encouraged God’s people. He said God was going to save His people from captivity and raise up a new King—a forever King—from David’s family.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
● Younger Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
● Older Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
● Kids: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
· Babies & Toddlers: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
· Younger Preschool: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
· Older Preschool: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
· Kids: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17