Hope and a Future

Opening Question: What do you hope for in the future?

Read Jeremiah 29:1-14
1 The prophet Jeremiah sent the following letter from Jerusalem to Babylonia. It was for the Jewish elders who were still alive there. It was also for the Jewish priests and prophets in Babylonia. And it was for all of the other Jewish people Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 It was sent to them after Jehoiachin, the king of Israel, had been forced to leave Jerusalem. His mother and the court officials were taken with him. The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem and all of the skilled workers had also been forced to go to Babylon. 3 Jeremiah gave the letter to Elasah and Gemariah. And Zedekiah, the king of Judah, sent them with the letter to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Here is what the letter said:

4 The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He speaks to all those he forced to go from Jerusalem to Babylon. He says, 5 “Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Get married. Have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons. Give your daughters to be married. Then they too can have sons and daughters. Increase your numbers there. Do not let the number of your people get smaller. 7 Also, work for the success of the city I have sent you to. Pray to the Lord for that city. If it succeeds, you too will enjoy success.” 8 The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says, “Do not let the prophets trick you. Do not be fooled by those who claim to have secret knowledge. Do not listen to people who try to explain their dreams to you. 9 All of them are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” announces the Lord. 10 The Lord says, “You will be forced to live in Babylonia for 70 years. After they are over, I will come to you. My gracious promise to you will come true. I will bring you back home. 11 I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. 12 Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. 13 When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” announces the Lord. “And I will bring you back from where you were taken as prisoners. I will gather you from all of the nations. I will gather you from the places where I have forced you to go,” announces the Lord. “I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you away.”

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think God told Israel to build, plant, marry, have children, work hard and pray for their host country, when they were being treated like prisoners?
2. What was the warning that God gave to the people of Israel?
3. What was the “gracious promise” God was making to Israel?
4. What did God want from Israel? What does he want from us?
5. Does God promise anything to mankind today?

Abraham and Isaac

We began by watching a short movie on Abraham's willing obedience to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Please read the account for yourself in Genesis 22.

Opening Question: What was the highlight and/or lowlight of your week?

Discussion:
1. Try to tell the story of Abraham and Isaac again in your own words.
2. How would you describe Abraham’s relationship with Isaac before and after the test?
3. Agree or disagree: God was mean and cruel to test Abraham in such an extreme way.
4. What do you think about the animal that was caught by its horns in the bush?
5. Make a list of the most important people, things, or desires of your life:
- People
-Things
-Desires
6. Does God have the right to take away anything from our lives? Why or why not?
7. What can we learn about God from this story?

Abram's Reward

We watched a short movie based on Genesis 12 to 15:6. It is about the call of Abram through Abram's rescue of Lot. Then we discussed the following questions in small groups.

1) How was Abram’s trust in God, love for people, and generosity demonstrated . . .
In his choice to leave his country?
During his discussion with Lot about where to live?
In his response to learning about Lot’s capture?
In his relationship with Melchizedek, the king of Salem and prince of God?

2) Why did God tell Abram to count the stars?

3) God said to Abram, “I am your shield, your very great reward.”
In which area of your life do you need God to be “your shield”? Why?
Is God a “your very great reward” right now? Explain.

4) How would you score yourself, according to the following values in life:
My comfort <1-----2-----3-----4-----5> Serving people?
Acquiring more <1-----2-----3-----4-----5> Living on Less?
Keeping for myself <1-----2-----3-----4-----5> Generosity to others?

5) Which of Abram’s characteristics would you like to experience in your own life, and why?