July 30 - Worthy - Jeremiah 35:5-19
OVERVIEW OF JEREMIAH
The overview will be uploaded shortly.
VIDEO LESSON
Listen to the Audio of the Lesson
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Intro - Focus Attention
- Q. What is something you have learned to do through observing examples?
- Give time to answer.
- Carpentry, musical instruments, etc.
- Q. How does someone become an example to others?
- Discuss.
- Hard work, practice, consistency, etc.
- Today’s lesson comes in Jeremiah 35 and contains an object lesson for the people of Judah. God used a group of people to show what loyalty and obedience looked.
- Context:
- The context of Jeremiah 35 is the reign of Jehoiakim, one of Judah’s evil Kings (2 Kings 23:36-37). During his reign the people entered into a covenant to release all Hebrew slaves, which was in accordance to God’s word (Lev 25:39-41), but they changed their minds and took back their Jewish slaves. This choice demonstrated their double-mindedness and failure to obey God’s law.
- In response God used the obedience of the Rechabites as an example of how the people of Judah should be acting. Today’s lesson is an object lesson on obedience and loyalty to God.
Truth - Explore the Text
What does this passage tell us about God
- God gives correction and instruction to His people and He expects people to listen and obey (Jer 35:13).
- God provides positive examples of what obedience and loyalty looks like (Jer 35:14).
- God’s patience is abounding. He sent numerous prophets to warn the people, over and over again (Jer 35:15).
- God’s judgement is just and demonstrates His mercy. Judgement comes after many warnings and calls to repentance (Jer 35:17).
- God honors obedience (Jer 35:18-19).
What does this passage tell us about man?
- Man learns through object lessons (Jer 35:5-11). This was essentially God’s show and tell. He provided an example of what true obedience looked like.
- Man must choose to reject any temptations (Jer 35:6).
- Man’s example affects more than just the next generation (Jer 35:8).
- Man can and does choose disobedience by rejecting God’s commands (Jer 35:13-14).
- Man can either a positive example or a negative example. They can either obey God’s word or reject it and go their own way (Jer 35:15-16).
- Man has no excuse. We can’t say we didn’t know (Jer 35:17; cf Rom 1:20, 2:15-16).
What does this passage mean for my life?
- I need to follow the examples of godly people in my life. I need to be an example to others as well.
- I need to heed the warnings of God and confess my sin. He stands against those who disregard Him.
- I need to thank God for His faithfulness, patience, mercy, and grace.
Personal Challenge
- Examine your life for anything that is dishonoring God. Spend time confessing and repenting of any disobedience in your life.
LIFEWAY RESOURCES
Quicksource
Lifeway’s Quicksource is a quick and simple tool that dives directly into the biblical text. Furthermore, it provides a simple outline of the lesson with “Talking Points” and discussion questions for each section. This resource is extremely helpful for facilitating a discussion.
Explore The Bible Podcast
Lifeway provides a podcast for teachers as they prepare to teach each lesson. These podcasts are available on the Leaders Helps webpage (look below), Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Leader Helps
Lifeway has a blog where they post Leader Helps for teachers. These range from articles on leading online groups to Extra Ideas for introducing and concluding the lesson with a current news story. You can check it out using the link below
QUOTES / ARTICLES / MEDIA
In Philippians 2:6-11 Paul quoted an early Christian hymn that testified of the work of Christ. The following article was produced by Lifeway and discusses how early believers used songs.