Our Lady of Grace Session 6: Study for Adults “See, I Place My Words Spring 2017 in Your Mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9) Talk Notes

Prayer

Take time to pray with the following scripture passages this week:

“The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God!’ I said, ‘I know not how to speak; I am too young.’ But the Lord answered me, Say not, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth!” ( Jeremiah 1:4-9)

“Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19-21)

Questions

1. What was one takeaway from last week’s lesson that resonated with you? Why? Notes

2. The role of a prophet is to serve as God’s messenger. Have there been instances in your life where you felt God calling you to say or do something on His behalf? Did you? How did it make you feel?

3. It’s easy for us to forget that the prophets were human. The prophet was tasked with preaching to the people of — the Assyrian community directly threatening the Northern Kingdom at the time. Read Jonah 1. How does Jonah respond to God’s request, and what happens as a result? Has there been a time when you or someone you know have tried to flee from God? What was the result?

Session 6: “See, I Place My Words in Your Mouth” Hearts on Fire | Page 11 Notes 4. Read Isaiah 1:2-4 and 4:1-6. What are the sins of the Israelite people? Are these sins unique, or do we see them again, before/after this time in ’s history (or ours!)? What might this tell you about the prophetic messages we are studying this week?

Just as Jesus used parables to help people understand his message, many of the prophets used metaphors and symbolism to get their point across to their audiences.

5. Read Ezekiel 37:15-28 (written during the time of Exile). What message is Ezekiel trying to convey to the people with symbolism? How was this message especially prudent given the state of Israel at the time? Did you notice the prophecy of Christ? (For help, see Ezekiel 37:24.)

The Book of Isaiah was among the discovered in the caves of Qumran. Because of this, we know that Isaiah 52:13-53:12 was the most treasured of all Isaiah’s messages; this portion of the scroll is significantly darker, stained with oil absorbed from people’s hands.

6. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 one time to get the general message, and a second time more slowly and carefully. Remember that this message was delivered more than 500 years before the time of Christ. What passages strike you most? Why?

7. The prophetic books don’t just speak to the head; they appeal to our hearts. How has your heart been nudged during this journey through the Bible so far?

Page 12 | Hearts on Fire Our Lady of Grace Bible Study for Adults