The Crisis Within and Without – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : Jeremiah’s message addressed a crisis that had been in the making through extended grace and increased apostasy that eventually led to exile.
1. Have a volunteer read Judges 2:1-3.
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a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What caused the problem here, and how was it manifested?
c. Personal Application : How do we learn to transmit our values to the younger generations? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “Where do we expect to get help from in time of crisis? Who or what do you turn to when you get in a crisis situation?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Jeremiah 2:16,17
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What promises had God made to the nation when they were faithful?
c. Personal Application : How does going after worthless things make us worthless? How does this concept help us understand those who at times feel worthless? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “What were some of the priests, pastors, and prophets doing that led the people to be self-deceived in regard to their true spiritual condition?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. Have a volunteer read Jeremiah 25:8-12.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What was the essence of Jeremiah’s message to Judah?
c. Personal Application: When was the last time you believed what you wanted to believe, no matter how wrong that belief turned out to be? What lessons have you learned so that the same thing doesn’t happen again? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “Aren’t there many examples in history where good people did very bad things and used the Bible to justify their actions? How can we keep from doing the same thing today?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Jeremiah 5:2,3.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How do you feel if someone disappoints you again and again? How must have God felt?
c. Personal Application: How can we be sure that we don’t deceive ourselves that just because we have the truth and are church members, it’s enough to save us? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” Ministry of Healing, p. 148)
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