by
Barb Shackelfor
*NARRATIVE*
*I. The Big Picture: The Story of the Hebrew People*
*Social History or Redemptive History?*
Horizon’s Jeremiah Lesson One is a panorama view of Jeremiah and sets
the book in a
broad historical setting. There is a subtle but real difference in how
Hebrew history, or
any history, is presented depending on whether you believe God is an
active agent in the
world or stands off letting men and women be the movers of history
through their own
“social forces.” From a Reformed tradition we believe that Christ gives
“history it’s
meaning and direction.”1
*Questions to ask:*
Stephen relates the same events of history as are covered in the Horizon
study. After reading the account in
Horizons pages 4-5, read Stephen’s version in Acts 7:2-53.
How many of these 50 verses make direct or indirect reference to God in
the affairs of His people?
Compare and contrast Stephen’s and Bellis’ account of the Hebrew
people’s history?
How do you see the hand of God ordering the events in your life to His
purpose and glory?
*II. The Small Picture: The Story of Jeremiah*
Bellis reviews the current events of Jeremiah’s world: the rising and
failing of empires
and kings that eventually led to the all bid total captivity and exile of
Judah. Jeremiah’s
life ended in apparent failure: his people exited and himself dying in a
foreign land.
*Questions to ask:*
What does the Bible say about God’s purpose in allowing Assyria and
Babylon to take His people into captivity? Hosea 5:14-15
How has God used adversity in your life to reveal sin and refine you as
a tool for His use? Is there suffering which you are currently “wasting”
by not responding to God through it? (Heb. 12 5-6, Rom. 5:3-5)
What does the Bible say about why Josiah, Johoiakim and Zedekiah were
strong or weak? (2 Kings 22:18-20, 2 Chron. 36:5; 2 Chron. 36:12, Jer.
52:2-3)
What makes you strong? (I Cor. 1: 18) Is Gal. 2:20 personally true for
you? If so, how is this your source of power?
*III. Jeremiah the Man*
Bellis accurately depicts Jeremiah as driven and consumed for God.
*Questions to ask:*
Who else in the Bible has been so consumed? (John 17:4, 1 Cor. 9:16,
Acts 4:19-20, Heb. 11)
What did Christ say about such a commitment? (Matt. 5:10-12)
In what ways is your life showing passion for God?
*IV. Jeremiah the Prophet*
Jeremiah was a true prophet of God. Bellis states that a prophet’s main
purpose is to speak words of judgment and warning, hope and blessing.
She is supported by _The Book of Confessions_which defines prophets as
“seers, knowing the future; but they also interpreted the scriptures.
Such men are also found still today.” (5.147)
*Questions to ask:*
How can we be sure prophets are speaking in God’s behalf? (2 Pet.
2:1-3, Gal. 1:6-8, 1 John 4:1-3, Acts 17:10-11, 2 Tim. 3:14-17)
How are OT prophets different from today’s prophets? (Heb. 1: 1 vs.
I Cor, 12:28,
14: 14) 2, 3
Are sincerity and deeply held convictions good measurement for
determining a true prophet? (Matt. 7:21-23)
Does God’s new and different Word ever contradict an older covenant?
(Matt. 5:1719, Heb. 13:8-9)
Do you know of a prophet in the church today? If so, have you
“tested of the spirits” regarding them *and “examined the Scriptures
daily to see whether these things are so”?*
*V. Reading the Book of Jeremiah*
Bellis affirms that Jeremiah has “a voice that speaks to us across the
centuries about issues that never go away, but only change their
appearance and circumstance.”
*Questions to ask:*
What issues come to your mind that relate the issues of Jeremiah to the
issues that weface in the Presbyterian Church (USA) today?
How can Jeremiah’s commitment and God-given authority be emulated in our
family of faith?
*PREPARING THE LESSON*
In addition to reading the narrative, scripture passages and questions
in the Horizonstudy, read the scripture passages in the “Narrative”
section in this supplement.
Invite two class members to prepare short presentations using Assigned
Presentation #I under “Discovering the Scripture” (pg. 9) in _Horizons
_and the “Alternative Assigned Presentation #2″ described below.
Prepare two 3″ x 5” cards with the questions asked in the “Alternative
Exploring the Scripture.”
Supply Bibles, hymnals, index cards, newsprint and markers or chalkboard
and chalk.
*CONNECTING WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER*
Use the suggested prayer and icebreaker described in “Connecting with
God and with One Another” (pg. 9) of _Horizons._
*DISCOVERING THE SCRIPTURE*
*Alternative Presentation #2: *Introduce everyone to Jeremiah the
prophet. Have someone play the role of Jeremiah under a “hot lamp” of
interrogation. The group will act as prophet “sleuths” using different
prophet testing scripture to determine whether he’s the real thing.
*Suggestions for Questions:*
What are some things you predicted, Jeremiah? Did it all happen?
(Use Horizon pg. 7&8 for material. Evaluate answer in light of
Deut. 18:20-22.)
Were you voted “Most Likely to Succeed” at Anathoth High? Why?
[Jeremiah was put in stocks (Jer. 20:2), thrown in a cistern
(Jer. 38:6), imprisoned (38:2, 37:11-16, 2 1) and nearly killed
(26:7-11; 38:4).]
How does what you say line up with the other Super Prophets:
Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Hosea? (Jer. 28:7-9, Matt. 5:17-19)
Where do you think this prophesying stuff is going to get you?
(Horizons pg. 6 end of “The Small Picture: The Story of
Jeremiah” section)
Why do you do it? (I Cor, 9:16)
Invite class to ask Jeremiah questions. (If “he” gets stuck the
group can discuss together what the answer might be.)
*EXPLORING THE SCRIPTURE*
After the “Discovering the Scripture” presentations, divide the
group into two. Have each group choose a spokesperson. Give each
group a 3″ x 5″ card with one of the following assignments:
*Group I*
What similarities do you see between the situation and people of
Jeremiah’s day and current prophets and issues in the church? How is the
family of faith responding to the call of the prophets we have today?
How are these prophets treated? How are we testing their message? (2
Pet. 2:1-3. Gal. 1:6-8, 1 John 4:1-3, Acts 17:10-11, 2 Tim. 3:14-17)
*Group 2*
What messages has God put on your heart? If you feel a call for ministry
how has God confirmed through circumstances and scripture that this is
His work for you? What road blocks do you encounter in working to
fulfill your cal I? Have any roadblocks actually become a way of
success? (Rom. 5:3-5) How can Gal. 2:20 become a power source for
you to fulfill your call?
· Ask the groups to return and to hear from each spokesperson. The
leader may use the newsprint or chalkboard to list the words shared
by the groups, noting similarities and differences between the
situations, issues, ministries, roadblocks in biblical times and our
present day.
*CLOSING TIME TOGETHER*
Follow the suggested format on pg. 9 of Horizons.
*REFLECTING AT HOME*
If you haven’t already done so, read through the entire book of Jeremiah
to be able to put into context the upcoming lessons. As you read, let
the Holy Spirit inspire you to deeper commitment to fulfill the calling
that God has given you. If you don’t know what that calling is, pray
earnestly that God will reveal it to you. “For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them. Eph. 2: 10” Pray, write and act on what you
learn from Jeremiah.
_______________________________
1) “The Confession of 1967.” The Book of Confessions, 9.19.
2) “There then followed the prophets, through whom God published new
oracles which were added to the law — but not so new that they did
not flow from the law and hark back to it. As for doctrine, they
were only interpreters of the law and added nothing to it except
predictions of things to come. Apart from these, they brought
nothing forth but a pure exposition of the law … (the Lord]
commanded that the prophecies also be committed to writing and be
accounted part of his Word. (Calvin: Institutes of the Christian
Religion, Book 4, Chap. 8, Part 6.)
The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his
own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, iseither expressly set
down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may __be
deduced from Scripture unto which nothing at any time isto be added,
whether by new revelations of the spirit, or traditions of men.
(“The Westminster Confession _of _Faith,” _Book of Confessions,_
_6.006)_