SESSION 7 CREATED FOR A PURPOSE THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Our culture often determines a person s value by how that person can contribute to society or not be a burden to others. Unfortunately, a lot of people including the unborn, the elderly, or those with special needs must depend on others. Some people question the value of a person who cannot stand on their own two feet, but God never does. Every person has value and purpose. THE POINT Before you were born, God designed you with great value. THE PASSAGE Jeremiah 1:4-10 THE SETTING Scholars generally agree that Jeremiah s message is the most personal and passionate of all the prophets. Jeremiah s passion is evident because of his love for God and God s people the people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom in Israel. What made Jeremiah s concern so intense was his central theme that God was going to allow another nation to destroy Judah as punishment for its continued failure to be faithful to God s covenant. 76 SESSION 7 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Jeremiah 1:4-10 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. 6 Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth. 7 But the Lord said to me, Do not say, I am only a youth ; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. For free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/ BibleStudiesForLife For free Midweek Options for your group, visit lifeway.com/bsflwin17spoken
PREPARE LEADER LIVE IT OUT Measuring Up Psalm 139:13; 1 Peter 5:5; John 9:1-12 How God defines value is almost always different from the way the world defines value. Your students are measuring themselves by what they see on social media, television, or through their friends. Even in your own life surrounded by groups of friends, coworkers, or family, everyone will make value statements with their words and actions. We spend so much time listening to the world s opinions that we forget what God s Word has told us. God s Word is the only true standard of value in this life. As a follower of Christ, you need to continually be preaching God s truth to yourself and to the students you lead. Y Take a moment to complete the Culture section at the end of the Bonus Session, and answer the questions about the value. 1 Prepare: While you prepare for this session, it is critical to allow the truth of Scripture to challenge your heart. God works in our hearts as we teach others His Word. ONE CONVERSATION Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Topic: Created for a Purpose THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Our culture often determines a person s value by how that person can contribute to society or not be a burden to others. Unfortunately, a lot of people including the unborn, the elderly, or those with special needs must depend on others. Some people question the value of a person who cannot stand on their own two feet, but God never does. Every person has value and purpose. THE POINT: Before you were born, God designed you with great value. What s the most valuable thing you ve ever seen? How does the truth that God knows you personally change how we relate to Him? What are some things all Christians are called to do? How does God equip His followers to fulfill their purpose? Discuss the following quote: God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. 1 Saint Augustine 1. Saint Augustine Quotes, BrainyQuotes [online], [accessed 1 May 2016]. Available from the Internet: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/saintaugus105351.html. LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture: CHRIST: Encourage your student to memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 this week while actively listening for God s calling. COMMUNITY: Help your student to understand that each of us has a calling that is as unique as we are. Spend time in prayer with your student seeking God s calling in his or her life. CULTURE: The world defines value differently from how God defines value. Help your student understand the value that God has placed on our lives. 2 Follow Up: Don t forget to text a picture of the One Conversation section to parents or post it on Facebook and tag them after the session. This will equip them for further family discussion. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 77
ENGAGE (15 MINUTES) 1 2 Engage: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the next page (optional). Discuss: Ask students, What s the most valuable thing you ve ever seen? 3 Guide: Call attention to The Point. Keep coming back to it throughout the session. 4 Read: Summarize the Bible Meets Life for your group. 5 Pray: Transition into the session by praying that each student in your group would see how infinitely valuable they are to God, as well as those around them. 78 SESSION 7
ENGAGE OPTIONS LEAD WITH ACTION Choose at least four different objects (or the same objects that look different) and split your participants into even teams. Invent a scenario where each team has to solve a problem using only those objects. This can be anything from You re stranded on a desert island to You re saving the world from Godzilla. Each team will then rank the objects from most useful to least in that specific scenario and provide a reason for each. After each teams has gone, say, Some lies are easy to believe and others are clearly false. One lie we often believe is that some people have more value than others. Today we are going to see the value that God places on every human being no matter what their circumstances may be. LEAD WITH ATMOSPHERE Buy several types of building blocks and place them all around the room in mismatched piles so the blocks cannot connect. Tell students to build a tower or wall with their building blocks as they enter the room. Ask them why their blocks are not fitting together correctly. When they explain that they have mismatched blocks, tell them to go ahead and trade blocks with the other students to find the blocks they need. After everyone is finished say, It s amazing how our view of something s value changes when we see its purpose. Today we are going to talk about how God values and has a plan for us. LEAD WITH MEDIA Search the Internet for Dove Real Beauty Sketches. The women in this video allowed the world to influence and shape their view of reality. As believers, whether we are guys or girls, we have incredible value to God. No matter what we think or say, God created and designed us with great purpose. After watching this video with your group say, It s amazing how hearing the voice of truth can profoundly change our view of reality. God s view of our value, purpose, and belonging is so much deeper than simply how we look. He created each one of us with infinite value. SECOND OPTION Bring in either a Polaroid camera or take selfies of each student in the group. Take some time having other people in the group speak something of value to the student in the picture. Afterward, have specific Scripture to speak into each of your students and encourage them to use that Scripture. Do this for everyone in your group and encourage each student to post a selfie either for social media or just to have at home on their mirror where they can see it each day. If a Polaroid camera is possible, they can write the statements of value spoken to them on the picture and take the photos home. Say, God s view of our value, purpose, and belonging is so much deeper than simply how we look. He created each one of us with infinite value. NOTE: Always make sure you preview any video clip you show students and ensure that it is appropriate for your church and ministry. LEADER PACK ELEMENTS If you have the optional Leader Pack, consider one of the following: DVD: Play the Unit 1 Session 7 DVD opener to introduce the session and get everyone on the same page. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 79
IMPART (10 MINUTES) 1 2 3 4 5 Read: Invite a student to read the passage aloud. Engage: Help your group fill in each blank to understand what God is doing in the passage. Summarize: Explain the last section for your students to help set up a great discussion point. Discuss: Lead your students in discussing how God s personal knowledge of your life changes how you relate to him. Do: Direct students to read the quote and thoughtfully list their responses. Discuss your answers as a group. JEREMIAH 1:4-5 Jeremiah continued to preach in the face of difficulty because he knew God had a plan and purpose for his life. The plan is clear in verse five, and it centers on God and what He was doing. 1. Chosen before conception. The Hebrew word translated to chose carries the idea of knowing and establishing a relationship. This choosing and knowing came before God ever formed Jeremiah. God was involved in the course of Jeremiah s life before his birth was realized. 2. Set apart before birth. Again, God set Jeremiah apart for a specific purpose even before anyone else could see that purpose. 3. Appointed prophet to the nations. Even before he was born, Jeremiah had a specific assignment from God; surely that encouraged him when he faced discouragement or threats. God views every life and creation as valuable and has a purpose for each one. The world needs to understand that God has placed value and purpose on every life from the unborn, to the elderly, to those in physical or mental need. God doesn t give value based on size, ability, or age. He gives us purpose, love, and acceptance because He created each of us. We don t choose what we will do for God; He invites us to join Him where He wants to involve us. 2 Henry T. Blackaby HOW DOES REALIZING THAT GOD KNOWS YOU PERSONALLY CHANGE THE WAY YOU RELATE TO HIM?? Describe how this quote challenges the way we normally see God s purpose and plan in our lives? 68 SESSION 7 80 SESSION 7
COMMENTARY JEREMIAH 1:4-5 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;i appointed you a prophet to the nations. JEREMIAH 1:4-5 Verse 4. God has a purpose for every life. Jeremiah began describing God s call to serve as His prophet with the words, the word of the Lord came to me. Jeremiah wanted those who heard his messages to know that his words were truly God s words. Jeremiah s ministry began in about 627 B.C. and lasted for over 40 years. Verse 5. The three terms God used to announce His call to Jeremiah all point to God s sovereign selection of Jeremiah to be His prophet. (1) God chose Jeremiah to be His prophet at this point in Israel s history, in the sense that before Jeremiah was born, God had chosen him to be His prophet. In His sovereignty God chooses individuals for specific roles of service. The fact that God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet even before God formed him in his mother s womb emphasizes that His choosing of Jeremiah had nothing to do with Jeremiah s knowledge or ability or righteous living. The term formed is the same word used in Genesis 2:7 to describe how God formed man from the dust of the ground. Tip: Be sensitive to students who may struggle with insecurity or an unloving home life. Remember to always make your group a safe place for everyone to attend. (2) God also set [Jeremiah] apart. The Bible often describes someone who has been set apart by God for His service as being holy. While we become holy because of our relationship with God who is holy, we also become holy as God calls us and sets us apart for His service (Acts 13:3; 2 Tim. 2:21). (3) Finally, God appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations. While Jeremiah delivered most of his messages to the nation of Judah, God would also speak through him a message of judgment to all the nations that had oppressed His people (Jer. 46:1 51:64). The obvious implication is that God is not only sovereign over His chosen people but over all the peoples He has created. God makes each of us unique in terms of our bodies and personalities and circumstances and timing because He has a unique plan and purpose for each of us. Yes, His common plan for all of us is to know Him (2 Pet. 3:9), to worship and serve Him (Ps. 138:4 5), and to bring Him the glory He deserves (1 Cor. 10:31). But the individual stories of the men and women that fill the pages of God s story illustrate again and again that God sovereignly creates each of us to accomplish His unique plan for our individual lives. We all matter to God. We all have intrinsic value to Him, both because He created each of us in His image (Gen. 1:26 27) and also because He has designed each of us for our special part of His mission to make Himself known to all the peoples of the world (Matt. 28:18 20; Acts 13:46 47). Tip: If some of your students know about Jeremiah or other topics in your sessions, let them share with the group. Encourage students to be willing to share what they know. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 81
IMPART (10 MINUTES) 1 2 3 4 5 Read: Invite a student to read the passage. Read: Enlist a few volunteers to read the section. Engage: Remind students of how their social media can be used as a tool to share the gospel. Discuss: Ask your students the question and have them reflect and discuss their answers. Summarize: Explain the following section to your students to wrap up the section. JEREMIAH 1:6-8 Sometimes God s specific plan for our lives is clear like it was for Jeremiah. Even when God s plan isn t as clear, He still has a plan for us. We find God s plan when: We seek Him. It starts by building a relationship with Him. God doesn t hide from us. He wants us to know His will for our lives (Ps. 145:18). We follow His Word. God s will for our character and conduct is clearly found in Scripture. Following Christ and syncing our attitudes and morals with the righteousness of God revealed in Scripture allows the details of God s specific plans for us to fall into place. WHAT ONE THING IS EVERY BELIEVER CALLED AND ABLE TO DO?? God s purpose and calling will intimidate us because we need His power to fulfill it. #Psalm119 God s purpose and calling will intimidate us because we need His power to fulfill it. This happened to Jeremiah. He countered God s plan with two excuses: 1. I m not a speaker. The basis for this excuse is found within the second excuse. 2. I m too young. The Hebrew for youth covers a broad age range, but Jeremiah would ve been no older than 20. God knew what He could do through Jeremiah, so He simply repeated Himself telling Jeremiah not to be afraid that He would be with him. God will be with us to carry out His purpose. God s Holy Spirit dwells inside each of His followers. Jesus promised that His Father would send the Holy Spirit to help us (John 14:26). God s Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us (Rom. 8:11). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 69 82 SESSION 7
COMMENTARY JEREMIAH 1:6-8 Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to me, Do not say, I am only a youth ; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. JEREMIAH 1:6-8 Verse 6. God is with us to carry out His purpose. Jeremiah grasped the awesome responsibility to stand as God s spokesperson. His response demonstrated that sometimes God s call is so overwhelming that we respond without thinking and say no and Lord in the same breath. If God is truly our Lord, then we cannot oppose His command. The term translated youth or too young is also used of an infant (Ex. 2:6), an older teen (Gen. 37:2), and a young warrior (2 Sam. 2:14). Jeremiah was probably in his late teens when God called him. Because of his young age and lack of experience, Jeremiah told God that he didn t know how to speak. Verses 7-8. While God did not agree with Jeremiah s point of view, neither did He chastise or condemn him. God simply pointed out that His call did not depend on Jeremiah s age or abilities. The reality is that God s call never depends on us and our abilities. God wants and deserves all the glory for Himself. By choosing the young, inexperienced, and inarticulate Jeremiah to be His prophet, God would clearly demonstrate the message from His prophet was truly His message. God s purpose and calling will intimidate us because we need His power to fulfill it. #Psalm119 God then assured Jeremiah that he would have the courage to go and stand before whomever God would send him. Not only would he have the courage to go but also the confidence to speak the words God would give him. While God at times revealed to His prophets knowledge about the future, most often He sent them to deliver messages about the present. From the written account of Jeremiah s ministry, we know that the work God was calling him to would be a combination of bold condemnation for the people s present sins and foretelling about coming destruction and eventual restoration of their nation. God understood Jeremiah s primary problem was his fear about how people would respond to him and his message, so He gave him a two-fold word of encouragement. First, God told Jeremiah to not be afraid of them. Jeremiah was realistic. He saw the potential consequences of accepting God s call to be His prophet. He was tempted to allow his fear to prevent him from obeying. God dared Jeremiah to choose to replace his fear with trust in Him. Notice that God didn t simply say, Don t be afraid. He added a strong reason to trust and not fear. First God promised that He would always be with Jeremiah. God promised that His presence (and therefore His power) would be with Jeremiah to enable him to carry out God s purpose in his role as God s prophet. Jeremiah would never be alone. In writing of his encounter with God, Jeremiah noted that God had said that these words were the Lord s declaration. This is the second time Jeremiah emphasized that these words were from the Lord (see Jer. 1:4). These words were intended for all who would hear and read Jeremiah s prophetic messages, but they were also possibly a reminder to encourage Jeremiah that he was not speaking on his own authority but on the basis of God s authority. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 83
1 2 3 4 IMPART (10 MINUTES) Do: Allow students time to finish the optional Action Point (p. 70) in the PSG. Read: Ask a student to read the passage for the group. Summarize: Explain this section for your students. Discuss: Review this question with your students. HOW DOES GOD EQUIP US TO FULFILL OUR PURPOSE? JEREMIAH 1:9-10 We often sinfully define others based on traits like skin and hair color, ethnicity, or physical and mental abilities, but God doesn t create us that way. God uniquely and brilliantly made each one of us and God doesn t make mistakes (Ps. 139:14). Even in the face of the challenges and limitations we think we have, God has crafted and equipped us with the tools we need to bring Him glory. Jeremiah saw himself as limited because he couldn t speak, yet God chose Jeremiah to be His prophet and equipped him with the words and abilities for His calling.? ACTION POINT In 2014, an unlikely cell phone app became incredibly popular resulting in 500,000 downloads after just 28 days in the app store. 3 The game was Flappy Bird. Even after Flappy Bird s creator took it down, people attempted to auction off phones with the app still on it. Auctions were rumored to have bids as high as $100,000 before Ebay canceled the auctions. 4 It s amazing how we can place such a high value on things that we quickly forget about. Thankfully, when God places value on something, He doesn t change His mind. God designed you with great value and purpose, and He showed his love for you at the cross. 5 6 Read: Ask a couple volunteers to read each section aloud. Do: Direct students to complete the Action Point. God equips each of us as He chooses. God gave the world only one Jeremiah. And He has given the world only one you. God s calling for Jeremiah was unique, and so was the way He equipped him. God s given us all a unique way to bring glory to His name. We may become frustrated when our calling doesn t look like someone else s, but God s assignments are unique for everyone. We will live more joyful, purpose-filled lives when we stop comparing our lives and are just faithful to God s calling. No matter who we are or what we ve done, we can bring Christ glory. We were created for a purpose. How does realizing the eternal value and purpose that God places on every person affect your view of yourself? How does it affect the way you view those that the world doesn t find valuable? BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 71 84 SESSION 7
COMMENTARY JEREMIAH 1:9-10 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. JEREMIAH 1:9-10 Verse 9. God equips us with what we need to carry out His purpose. God also gave Jeremiah a visual picture to reinforce what He was telling him. God reached out His hand and touched Jeremiah s mouth. When God called Isaiah to be His prophet, God sent one of His angels to touch Isaiah s mouth (Isa. 6:6 7). When God called Ezekiel to be His prophet, He showed him a scroll and told him to eat it (Ezek. 2:8 3:3). Ezekiel understood that what he saw meant that God was giving him the words to speak to the people of Israel. God used these visions to encourage Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah that He was equipping them to fulfill their roles as His prophets. God also declared that He had put His words in Jeremiah s mouth. God was telling Jeremiah that from that point on He would put the words that Jeremiah was to speak as His prophet in Jeremiah s mouth. God spoke to Jeremiah through both the vision and the assuring words. He wanted Jeremiah to have absolute confidence that God had equipped him to serve as His prophet. Verse 10. At the beginning of His call, God told Jeremiah that He was appointing him to be a prophet to the nations (Jer. 1:5). At this point God emphasized that Jeremiah would not only speak to the people of Israel (Judah) but also to nations and kingdoms. Sadly, Jeremiah s message to those outside of Judah would not be one of hope but of judgment. Tip: Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Lead the group and be an example to students who do not realize the eternal importance of the group. God used two images to describe the major thrust of Jeremiah s collective message. The first image was that of a tree, and the first part of Jeremiah s message would be to announce God s judgment to his own people. The second image was that of a building. Picturing the theme of judgment Jeremiah would proclaim, God described the building being torn down, destroyed, and demolished. That image became a reality for Judah in 586 B.C. when the Babylonians completely destroyed Jerusalem, including the temple. God s judgment would come on both Judah and her enemies. Yet Jeremiah s prophecy would also contain a message of hope. After carrying out His judgment, through His grace God would also build back the building that had been destroyed and plant the tree that had been uprooted. Though Judah would be in exile for 70 years, God would one day restore them to their homeland (Jer. 29:10 14). The message which Jeremiah was to declare would reflect both God s judgment and His grace. According to His sovereign plan and purpose, God chose Jeremiah to be His prophet even before Jeremiah was born. Then God called and equipped Jeremiah to carry out his difficult assignment of announcing God s judgment to his own people. The Bible contains numerous accounts of how God chose and called individuals to unique roles of service in His kingdom. The ways of God have not changed. God has a plan and a purpose for every person. Even in the womb, God sets apart each life for His purpose and glory. This understanding should guide us in how we treat each person: the unborn, the child with physical or mental limitations, the adult who is living a godless lifestyle, and the senior adult who is severely limited by problems of aging. God values every life and so should we. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 85
IMPACT (10 MINUTES) 1 2 3 Discuss: Read and discuss the quote with students. Guide: The Christ portion of the Live It Out section encourages students to dig deeply into God s Word and make practical steps to store it in their hearts. Remember the Bible Reading Plan provides students with a custom reading plan to stay in God s Word and follows along with each session. Guide: As you guide your students through the Community section, remember to emphasize that comparison steals our joy and is not something that God calls us to do. Help each student focus on each other s unique gifts. 72 SESSION 7 BIBLE READING PLAN LIVE IT OUT GOD LOVES EACH OF US AS IF THERE WERE ONLY ONE OF US. 5 DAY 1 ES THER 1:1-22 DAY 2 E S T H E R 2:1-23 DAY 3 ESTHER 3:1 4:17 DAY 4 ESTHER 5:1 6:14 DAY 5 ESTHER 7:1 8:17 DAY 6 ES THER 9:1-22 DAY 7 ESTHER 9:23 10:3 SAINT AUGUSTINE CHRIST Write Proverbs 3:5-6 on a card or make it your phone background, so you ll see it throughout the next several weeks. Every time you read it, pray that God will reveal something specific He wants you to do based on what you re reading in His Word. COMMUNITY The group around you is one of the greatest tools God has given you for truth and encouragement. Read John 21:20-23 and discuss the following questions with your group. Why do we struggle when we compare our callings with others? What was Jesus response to Peter comparing their callings? What does Jesus response reveal about how He views our value and callings? 86 SESSION 7
IMPACT CULTURE How God defines value is almost always different from the way the world defines value. When you re with a group of friends talking at school, in a classroom, at practice, or in your neighborhood, you and those around you will make value statements with your words and actions. Sometimes we spend so much time hearing the world s opinions that we forget what God s Word has told us. Take a moment to answer the following questions about value: 4 Guide: The Culture section equips students to apply this session to their lives every week. Help your students see themselves and others through the lens of God s Word to develop a lifestyle of serving others with their gifts. What does the world say? What God says: The Unborn Psalm 139:13 What am I called to do? 5 Pray: Close in prayer asking God to open the eyes of each one of your students to see their value and define themselves based on the truth of Scripture, instead of the opinions of others. The Elderly 1 Peter 5:5 Those with Physical and Mental Needs John 9:1-12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 73 6 Follow Up: This week connect with your students in a unique way. Buy them a small gift that highlights one or more of the unique attributes about them, or set up a geocache hunt using your cell phones to meet at a unique place to spend time together outside of group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 87