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) 1 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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?” 2 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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. 3 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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 4 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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.