Jeremiah 1: Discussion Questions
October 25, 2020 in Today's Discussion by TGV
Bible Study Guide/ Jeremiah 1, (24-BSG-1K)/ Discussion Questions
TO THINK ABOUT AND DISCUSS – [1] The Call of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4-5). He was called before he was created, and set apart before he was born. His call, like all others, was the result of Sovereign grace. How does this fact gives you confidence to approach the very God who knew all about you ‘before your conception’?
[2] The Bible does not directly address abortion, but it does speak directly regarding God’s view of human life, including life within the womb — Before you were born, “I formed thee … I knew thee,” (Jer. 1:5). Psalm 139:13-16 gives a poetic description of life in the womb: “For you formed my inward parts.” In Exodus 21:22-25, the penalty for causing the death of an unborn child was “life for life.” In other words, God saw killing a child in the womb as murder. God hates abortion! What would you say to the proponents of abortion?
[3] Why is it that when God call us to serve Him, we usually come up with excuses, or feel inadequacy for the Job? Consider the following examples of men who were called by God: Jeremiah felt inadequate as a public speaker (Jer. 1:6); Moses felt inadequate, incapable when God called him, (Ex. 3:11; 4:10). Gideon felt inadequate when the LORD called him, (Jud. 6:15). Solomon felt inadequate, immature for the task assigned him by God, (1 Kings 3:7). Paul the Apostle felt insufficient in carrying out the task assigned him by the LORD, (2 Cor. 2:16; 3:5).
Lets contrast this with the confidence of our Lord Jesus Christ [A] “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29, NKJV) [B] “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.” (Hebrews 10:5, NKJV). What should be the appropriate attitude of those called of God to work in His vineyard?
[4] “Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” (Jeremiah 1:6, NKJV) Jeremiah had two reasons to be afraid. First, he was young, inexperienced, inadequate! Second, his message would be hard to hear – just like Messages of Sin and Judgment to come (when preached from the today’s pulpit) – are hard to hear! In fact, unrepentant sinners hates such preachers. What is the importance of proclaiming God’s word ‘as is?’ Calling sin by its name? What dangers are there for doing so? On the other hand, what Hope and divine Assurance can preachers of the gospel have? How can you assure someone (a Preacher, Bible Worker/ Evangelist, etc.) that God’s presence with them is bigger than “all oppositions” put together? What Scriptures will you use?
FOR FURTHER STUDY –[5] How would you compare and contrast Jeremiah’s divine “commissioning” in Jeremiah 1: 4-19 with that of Moses, the servant of the LORD, in Exodus 3:1-4:17? Carefully jot down Major differences; Truths to Believe; Attitudes to Cultivate; Commands/ Duties to Perform; and Promises to Claim for each case.
FOR SELF-EXAMINATION –[6] The Excuse. “Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jer. 1:6). A child is not expected to be an eloquent speaker, it is expected to be obedient, and trustful. The “Kingdom of God” must be received as a little child. Our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but of God (2 Cor. 3:5). It is not to the wise and prudent that the great things of the Kingdom are revealed, but “unto babes” (Luke 10:21).
FOR LIFE TODAY –[7] “How many today could continue faithfully proclaiming God’s word for forty years in spite of total rejection, ridicule, and threats? Yet the NT leads us to expect such response from a self-seeking, self-sufficient, secular society (Matt 24:9; John 15:18–21; 17:14). The secret of Jeremiah’s steadfastness lies in the statement, “The word of the LORD came to him” (cf. 15:16; 20:9; 2 Cor 4).
Jeremiah would have been considered a failure by today’s standards of success, but in God’s evaluation he was an outstanding success. Why? Because God judges us by a different standard from the world’s criteria for success. If we are obedient to his commands for us, then we will receive his commendation (Matt 25:21). Jeremiah was a “success” because he faithfully proclaimed the word of the Lord.” [F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations, The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 16:48].
FOR GOING DEEPER –[8] There are Ten Jeremiah’s personal Trials (major trials) listed in the Book. What are they? Can you discus each, how he endured, and how we can endure hatred, persecutions, imprisonment, and even death in these Last Days?
PERSONAL IMPLICATIONS –[9] Jeremiah’s effectiveness was fully dependent on God’s word, not on the prophet’s ability or cleverness. Beloved, God is never limited by the person’s natural ability or experience. Read the following Scriptures —(Ex. 4:11–12; 1 Sam 16:6–7; Zech. 4:6; 2 Cor 12:9).
[10] “When God calls, he equips us with what is needed to carry out the assigned task. For Jeremiah it was the promise of God’s presence and deliverance from any threatening situation that the reluctant prophet needed to hear. The command “Do Not Be Afraid” is found frequently in the Scriptures, suggesting how common is the human experience of fear. The basis for overcoming fear is the assurance of God’s presence.” [Ibid, p. 52].
[11] “For behold, I have made you this day; A fortified City and An Iron Pillar, And Bronze Walls against the whole land” (Jer. 1:18a) God gave Jeremiah the assurance and strength he needed, but he had to walk in it. Meaning, he had had to first believe it, obey it, and act upon it. Many times we fall short and stumble simply because we forget God, –(the very Source of our strength and success). Sometimes, we fail to make that necessary ‘Step of Faith’ into what God is calling us to do. How can Jeremiah experience help us believe, obey and move in the place where God would have us be?
Instructions for Daily Life → Do Not Afraid (read Jer. 1:8, 17; Isa. 51:7, 12; Ezek. 2:6-7; 3:8-9; Mt 10:26, 28; Lk 12:4-5; Acts 4:13, 29; Eph 6:20).
The Gospel’s Voice/ Bible Study Guide/ Jeremiah 1, (24-BSG-1K)/ Discussion Questions.