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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY “I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born.” These words from Jeremiah 1:5 reveal a Creator who is sovereign, working out everything in agreement with the decision of His will. (Ephesians 1:11) Jeremiah 1:5 ends with a specific call for a man named Jeremiah: “I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah the priest. He lived just north of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s ministry began when God called him. At that time, Josiah was king of Judah. Who else did God call in the Old Testament? God called Noah to build an ark (Genesis 6); He called Abram to leave his home (Genesis 12:1-4); He called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt (Exodus 3).

Each time God calls someone, He equips them to do His work. Like Moses, Jeremiah was hesitant: “Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6). God assured Jeremiah: “I will be with you” (Jeremiah 1:8).

God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to Judah. Judah was deep in idol worship and other sins. God’s judgment was coming. Jeremiah’s job was to warn them. God gave Jeremiah two visions. The first—a branch of an almond tree—was a sign that God would keep His promise to send judgment, and He would do it soon. The second vision—a boiling pot—meant that God’s judgment was coming from the north. God would bring the Babylonians from the north as judgment on His people. Then God sent Jeremiah out to announce God’s declaration.

As you teach kids, help them connect Jeremiah’s ministry to the ministry of Jesus. God called Jeremiah to warn the people of the judgment for their sin. Jesus also came to tell people to turn from their sin; He didn’t just tell them about the punishment, He took the punishment on Himself.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: God Called Jeremiah Bible Passage: Jeremiah 1 Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes)

Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW God Called Jeremiah Jeremiah 1

When Josiah was the king of Judah, God spoke to Jeremiah, a priest. God spoke to Jeremiah for many years. God said to Jeremiah, “I knew you before I made you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I chose you to do very special things. I chose you to be a prophet to the nations.” Being a prophet meant listening to what God said and telling the people God’s message. Jeremiah said, “Oh no, God! I don’t know how to speak in front of other people. I’m just a boy, only a youth.” God replied, “Don’t say that. You will go where I send you and say what I tell you to say. You do not need to be afraid of anyone because I am with you. I will protect you.” Then God reached out His hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth. “I’m giving you the words to say,” God said. “I am putting you in charge of nations and kingdoms. You will give the people My message. It is a message of destruction, of bad things happening because of their sin. It is also a message of reconstruction. After I tear down the people, I will rebuild them.” God gave Jeremiah two visions. Visions are like dreams, except Jeremiah was awake. God said, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

Jeremiah said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” “You are right,” God said. The almond branch was a sign for Jeremiah so he would know that God would do what He said He would, and He would do it soon. Then Jeremiah saw a second vision. He saw a boiling pot. The pot was overflowing from the north! God told Jeremiah that this vision meant trouble was coming from the north. Trouble would come for everyone in Judah. God told Jeremiah what would happen. God said that the rulers in the north were going to come and set up their kingdoms outside the city gates of Jerusalem. They were going to attack Jerusalem and other cities in Judah. God was going to judge the people of Judah for their sin. They had walked away from God; they worshiped their own man-made gods instead. Jeremiah had a big job to do, and God was ready to send him on his way. “Get ready! Tell the people everything I say. Do not be afraid. I am making you strong against the people. They will fight you, but they’ll never win. I’m here to protect you and to rescue you.” These are the words of God that came to Jeremiah the priest.

Christ Connection: Jeremiah challenged the way people lived in Judah and called them to turn away from their idol worship and other sins. Christ did more than challenge how people lived; He called people to turn from their sins, and He provided the way for people to have a relationship with God.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: God Called Jeremiah Bible Passage: Jeremiah 1 Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Arriving Activity: Almond Count jars, 3 almonds paper Allergy Alert Partially fill three jars with varying numbers of almonds. Encourage the kids to guess how many almonds are in each jar. Place a sheet of paper in front of each jar for them to write their guesses.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

Because of potential tree nut allergies, make sure the jar is sealed tightly and don’t allow the kids to touch the jars. Say • In just a few moments, we will learn how God used an almond branch as part of a special message to the Israelites.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Shaped Visions” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • A man named Jeremiah had two visions, one with a boiling pot and the other with an almond branch. We will find out what these visions meant in today’s Bible story.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: I Can Encourage the kids to line up facing a leader. The leader will give commands. The kids must say, “With God’s help, I can” before attempting each command. If a kid does the command before saying “With God’s help, I can,” she must sit out two commands before rejoining. Consider commands like: hop on one foot, close your eyes and walk backward, clasp your hands behind your back, scratch your nose and foot at the same time, and so forth. Continue as time allows. Say • There are some things we think we can’t do, but God can do anything. Jeremiah was sure God couldn’t use him, but God had different plans.

Option 2: Boiling Pot disposable cups, 1 per kid paper towels, 1 per kid liquid dishwashing detergent straws, 1 per kid water Give each kid a disposable cup, paper towel, and straw. Pour a small amount of water and a little dishwashing detergent in the cup. Encourage the kids to make their cups “boil over” by blowing into the straws until the bubbles fall over the top and onto the paper towel. They may pop the bubbles and play again. Encourage them to exhale—not inhale—through the straw. You could also do this activity as a race. Say • A boiling pot does the same thing as the water did in your cup. It bubbles up and eventually spills over. When Jeremiah saw this in a vision, it meant trouble for the people of Judah. We’ll find out why in a few moments.

Transition to large group

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

LESSON Session Title: God Called Jeremiah Bible Passage: Jeremiah 1 Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Use any ocean or island-type mural on the wall, or create your own mural with blue paper or fabric for the sky and light brown fabric or paper for the sand. Extend the light brown fabric or paper onto the stage. Place beach chairs or towels on the “sand” along with beach toys. Make palm trees using cardboard tubes and green paper.

Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) beach attire sunscreen [Large group leader enters in appropriate beach attire, carrying a bottle of sunscreen.] Leader • How many of you have been to the beach before? I’m so glad to be there. I mean, here on the beach. It’s such a great place. Sun! Water! Sand! Who could ask for more? Only one thing scares me about a trip to the beach … a sunburn. That’s why I use this sunscreen. It protects me from the sun. That reminds me of a story in the Bible about a prophet named Jeremiah.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader • I think I saw a map here somewhere. There it is! Would one of you like to come see if you can find Jeremiah on our timeline map? Here’s today’s Bible story. It says “God Called Jeremiah.”

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Jeremiah lived after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and God had used prophets to warn that the same thing was going to happen to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

The Assyrians had defeated the Northern Kingdom and forced the Israelites to leave their land. God had warned Judah to stop sinning and to seek Him. Sometimes the people would repent, but they always went back to worshiping other gods. You can find all of this information yourselves. Do you know where? That’s right! It’s in the Bible. That reminds me. Why don’t we look at the big picture question for this week? What job did God give Jeremiah?

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Help Me Find It” (on provided DVD) Leader • Sin must be punished because God is holy. Through several prophets, God had warned the Israelites living in Judah that punishment was coming. God was ready to send another warning, along with some comfort. God was going to punish the people, but He wasn’t going to forget them. He had a plan for them, and He was going to help them find it. That reminds me of our new theme song. Let’s listen and sing along as we learn it. Sing together “Help Me Find It.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Ezekiel 37:27 (provided) Worship Song: “My Dwelling Place” (on provided DVD) Leader • God planned to send a Savior. He was going to send Jesus to take the people’s sin, so God could be with them again. That brings us to our key passage. Let’s look at it. Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Ezekiel 37:27. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together “My Dwelling Place.”

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “God Called Jeremiah” video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader • See if you can find Jeremiah 1 in your Bible. Keep a lookout for the answer to the big picture question, What job did God give Jeremiah? Show the “God Called Jeremiah” video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader • What job did God give Jeremiah? That’s right. He was a prophet. God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah didn’t think he would make a very good prophet, but God had other plans for him. God told Jeremiah to tell the people that God’s punishment was coming and coming soon. He even told the people that the punishment would come from the north. The Babylonian people would invade Judah because of the people’s sin. However, God promised to protect Jeremiah. Ask the following questions: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) What excuses did Jeremiah give when God called him? (He wasn’t a good speaker. He

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

was too young; Jeremiah 1:6) What two visions did God give Jeremiah? (an almond branch; a tilted, boiling pot; Jeremiah 1:11-13) What did the visions mean? (God was going to keep His promise and soon send an enemy into Judah because of Judah’s sin, Jeremiah 1:12-16) What promise did God give Jeremiah about his future? (God would protect him, Jeremiah 1:17-19)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 18, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Did you know God made you very special? See if you can follow the instructions in this video. Show the “Unit 18 Session 1” video. Leader • Look at the kid to your left or right. Tell me one way you two are different. Even before Jeremiah was born, God chose him to be a prophet to the nations. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Do you know what? God has chosen you for something too. Be patient, and God will show you what someday. Even though God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, all Jeremiah could do was deliver God’s message of repentance. Someone greater than Jeremiah came later and told people to repent, but He had the power to forgive sins and lead people back to God. Who is that? That’s right! Jesus!

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader • Would someone like to guess the answer to the big picture question? What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Ask the big picture question, and call out an occupation that kids might want to be when they grow up like a teacher, doctor, police officer, firefighter, and so forth. Encourage those who want that job to answer the question. Ask for other dream jobs and call out those too.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will show each kid that God made him or her for a special purpose.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: God Called Jeremiah Bible Passage: Jeremiah 1 Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Encourage the kids to find Jeremiah 1 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say • Is the Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament) Does anyone know which division of the Bible Jeremiah is in? (Major Prophets) The Book of Jeremiah talks about God’s warning to the people of Judah and other nations that they were going to be punished for their sin. It also promises a time when God will bring His people back to Himself and make all the bad things good. Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Remind the kids how God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet. Explain that you are going to choose different kids to read the Bible story from the Bible. Assign each kid one or two verses, and then finish what is left. If your kids are not readers yet, read the verses aloud or review the Bible story provided using the bolded text. Say • God planned for Jeremiah to be a prophet even before he was born. Even though Jeremiah didn’t think he could do it, God used him anyway. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. God gave Jeremiah two visions to help him understand God’s message for the people. The first vision was an almond tree branch. This was a reminder that God keeps His word, and what He had said would happen soon. Then, Jeremiah saw a boiling pot overflowing from the north. God said an enemy would come from the north, and God would use that enemy to punish the people of Judah for their sins. God promised to protect Jeremiah. Jeremiah challenged God’s people to do right. Jesus did too, but He did much more than that. Jesus called on people to repent, and He provided a way for people to be forgiven of their sins. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say • Who wants to answer the big picture question? What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Hold Your Tongue” Instructions Key Passage Poster: Ezekiel 37:27 (provided) dry erase board and markers (optional) Make sure the key passage, Ezekiel 37:27, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say • God had stayed with the people in the tabernacle and then the temple. Judah was about to be attacked by an enemy, but God would one day dwell with them again because of Jesus. God touched Jeremiah’s mouth to prepare him to be a prophet. Encourage the kids to say the key passage several times using different mouth and tongue movements. Invite the kids to say it with their lips closed, lips wide open, while holding their tongues, while smiling, while frowning, and so forth.

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Tower Building 3x5 index cards Form groups of any size. Provide each group about 20 index cards, and encourage each group to see who can build the tallest tower. Kids will likely fail and get frustrated. At that point, demonstrate how to bend the cards in half and stack them on the edges of the cards. Then, play again. Say • You may have wondered if you would ever really be able to build a tower. Jeremiah didn’t believe he could be a prophet, but God had a plan even before Jeremiah was born. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations.

Option 2: Verse Holder small craft sticks large craft sticks glue magnet or yarn index cards markers Use large craft sticks to create a verse holder. Create the back by laying two sticks vertically a few inches apart. Add glue to the sticks and position a single layer of sticks side by side across the two like a platform. Flip the platform over and glue two more sticks over each of the two vertical sticks. Then, glue a few smaller craft sticks at the bottom of the platform, so it is level with the vertical sticks. This will create a bottom for the verse holder. Finally, glue another layer of large craft sticks horizontally on top. This layer will only go up about halfway. Provide some

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 1: God Called Jeremiah

index cards for kids to write verses to put in their verse holder. Add a strong magnet or glue a piece of yarn to each end of the top to hang it with. Say • What do these sticks remind you of? Doctors sometimes put them on your tongue to look at your throat. God prepared Jeremiah to be a prophet by touching His mouth. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Here’s the big picture question one more time. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for the plans He has for each kid. Pray for each child by name, asking God to give him the courage to trust that God will lead him to complete God’s plans.

Clean-Up Room

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Instructions: Find and circle the shapes in the picture that are similar to the shapes on the left.

UNIT 18 • Session 1 • Younger Kids Activity Pages The Exile Began

© 2013 Lifeway Family Journal Page The Exile Began God Called Jeremiah Share about your job and why you chose the profession or Jeremiah 1 trade you are in. You may also share about the jobs your Preschool parents (the grandparents) worked when you were a kid. Ask Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 your kids to describe the jobs they want to have when they Big Picture Question: What job did God give grow up. Allow them to draw or write their answers below. Tell Jeremiah? God called Jeremiah to be a prophet. what you wanted to be when you were a kid. Review the big Christ Connection: God sent Jeremiah to talk to the people in Judah. Jeremiah told them to think about picture question. Remind kids that God has a plan for each of how they were living. He told them to stop disobeying them too. God. Like Jeremiah, Jesus told people to be sorry for their sin. Jesus lived a perfect life for us and took our punishment so we could be right with God.

Kids Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Big Picture Question: What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Christ Connection: Jeremiah challenged the way people lived in Judah and called them to turn away from their idol worship and other sins. Christ did more than challenge how people lived; He called people to turn from their sins, and He provided the way for people to have a relationship with God.