July 16: Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

To begin the session:

Ask your group members to share their answer to at least one of the following ice-breaker questions.

1. When you were a child, what did you really like to do or feel like you were really good at?
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
3. When can you recall getting frustrated or upset because you were too young to do something?
4. What adult encouraged you and helped you grow in confidence?

To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:

Have your group read Jeremiah 1:4-10.

Before moving to the discussion questions below, share the following: Many of the prophetic books of the Old Testament begin with a phrase like Jeremiah used in verse 4: “The word of the Lord came to me.” We aren’t told how Jeremiah and other prophets received their messages, but it is clear that they were completely confident that the source of the revelation was God.

1. According to verse 5, when did Jeremiah actually receive his call?
2. What does this verse contribute to modern debates about when life begins?
3. What does Jeremiah’s response in verse 6 reveal about how he felt about himself? Who does he remind you of from previous lessons in this quarter?

From the Standard Lesson Commentary: Jeremiah’s initial response to the Lord’s call is as hesitant as Moses’ was (Exodus 3:11, lesson 5). Jeremiah claims a weakness in the area of his speech due to lack of age. One may find it somewhat ironic that Jeremiah is speaking while claiming an inability to speak. But he is likely thinking in terms of lacking the more polished or trained speaking ability that comes with the experience of years.

4. How would you characterize the tone of the Lord’s reply in verses 7 and 8? What effect do you suppose this had on young Jeremiah?
5. Who does the action of verse 9 remind you of from a previous lesson in this quarter?

From the Standard Lesson Commentary: The Lord’s action is reminiscent of what happens to Isaiah, only with Isaiah one of the seraphim comes to him and touches his lips with a burning coal taken from an altar (Isaiah 6:5-7, lesson 6). Here it is the Lord who reaches out his hand and touches Jeremiah’s mouth. By adding “I have put my words in your mouth” to this action, the Lord specifically addresses Jeremiah’s earlier objection that he does “not know how to speak” (v. 6).

6. Which part of the commission in verse 10 do you think Jeremiah was more eager to fulfill?
7. How would the Lord’s words in verses 7 and 8 help Jeremiah later on?
8. What young person could you encourage with a similar message—e.g., “You’re not too young. You can do whatever God calls you to do. Don’t be afraid, for the Lord is with you”?