July 2 - Shapes - Jeremiah 18:1-12
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 are some hobbies you like to do? How do you see God in those hobbies?
- Give time to discuss.
- Today we are looking at Jeremiah 18:1-13 where God used the imagery of a potter shaping the clay into a jar to illustrate a point.
- It’s amazing to see what a master potter can do with clay and it’s amazing to see how God can shape our life if we allow Him.
- Context:
- Today we are looking at the parable of the potter in Jeremiah 18. This parable shows how God is sovereign and will mold His people to fit His plan and purpose, but if they reject it He will bring judgement.
- While we are stoping at verse 13 today, the context continues and in Jeremiah 19 God continued the illustration of pottery by telling Jeremiah to buy a clay jar, take it to a specific valley, and then shatter the clay jar. This imagery demonstrated how Jerusalem would be smashed and would never be put back together.
- As we study our passage today we are going to see how God is in control, shaping His people for His purpose. We are also going to see the warning of rejecting His will for our lives.
Truth - Explore the Text
What does this passage tell me about God?
- God uses illustrations to instruct (Jer 18:2-5).
- God actively works to mold His people (Jer 18:6). He is in control.
- God is ruler over all nations (Jer 18:7, 9).
- God desires repentance (Jer 18:8).
- God holds people accountable for their sin (Jer 18:10).
- God warns of the coming judgement (Jer 18:11). He calls people to repentance.
What does this passage tell me about man?
- Man will hear from God if they listen and obey (Jer 18:2-5). Jeremiah was told to go and he did. Then the Lord spoke to him.
- Man is completely dependent upon God (Jer 18:6).
- Man must repent and trust in the mercy of God (Jer 18:7-8, 11).
- Man can trust in the righteous judgement of God (Jer 18:9-10).
- Man will use anything as an excuse (Jer 18:12). Either they thought they couldn’t live up to God’s standards or that He wouldn’t relent. They used their hopelessness as an excuse.
What does this passage mean FOR my life?
- I need to listen to and obey God’s instructions.
- I need to welcome God’s design for my life, welcoming His plans and purpose as He shapes me.
- I’m so thankful that He is in control. He is the one who molds my life, I just have to surrender to His control.
- I need to stop making excuses and just repent.
Personal Challenge:
- Q. Think back to a time when you refused to do what you knew God wanted you to do. What were the consequences?
- Q. What actions will you take this week to conform more completely to God’s purposes? How can you become more pliable in God’s hands?
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.