6/29 Jeremiah 1 - Faithful But Unpopular

Is it possible to have God's blessing but not be very popular? Just ask Jeremiah! Today we'll start our next study in the Book of Jeremiah. We'll see how this chapter recounts the start of a faithful, though not always popular ministry. Join us as we begin studying this powerful book!

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1.    In our world today, how common is it for people to evaluate success based on how popular someone or something is? Why is “popularity” sometimes a poor barometer to gauge something’s quality? 
2.    The opening verses of the Book of Jeremiah give us the timeframe of Jeremiah’s ministry; essentially saying that his ministry began in the 13th year of Josiah, which would’ve been 626 BC. Think back to our studies in Kings and Chronicles; what was going on in Israel and Judah at this time? Was this a society that was ready to embrace God’s message? 
3.    In the early days of Jeremiah’s ministry, he was a young man. What truths of verse 5 do you think would have encouraged Jeremiah as he heard the Lord’s call and commissioning of him to proclaim God’s message to the people? 
4.    What concerns did Jeremiah have in verse 6? What was the Lord’s response to him in verses 7 & 8? 
5.    When the Lord commissioned Jeremiah in verses 9 & 10, what kind of impact does He tell Jeremiah that his ministry is going to have? Do you think this sounds like a pleasant ministry experience? Where have you encountered difficulty in serving the Lord? Do these truths relate to your situation at all? 
6.    The podcast explained that the “Almond Tree” in verses 11-12 was a tree that would bloom earlier than other kinds of trees. Why would it have been encouraging to know that even as they went into the winter of God’s judgment, that one day new life would bloom? 
7.    In verse 13, what direction does this “Boiling Pot” come from? What do you think a “boiling pot” signifies? What countries lie to the North of Israel and Judah? In verse 14, what was this indicating about who would descend upon Judah? How does the Lord describe this invasion in verse 15?
8.    Once Jeremiah sees these visions, what does the Lord tell him to do in verse 17? Do you think this would be an easy message to proclaim to the people? Why? 
9.    In verse 19, how will the people respond to Jeremiah’s proclamation? In verse 18, how does the Lord strengthen Jeremiah for this response?
10.    If you were to speak words of encouragement to someone who is serving God in the midst of difficulties, based on this chapter, what truths would you suggest that person embrace? Why?

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