Lessons for the Week (Nov. 16)

Living With Purpose
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Getting Started
How many classmates do you have? How many co-workers? Do you ever feel like the world has too many people, and there is no special job, or purpose designed just for you?

A famous writer once said, “Each of us is meant to be what no other can be, and do what no other can do.” (William Ellery Channing) Do you agree? How can we be sure of our purpose in life? What are we living for?0

Vocabulary
purpose (n) – a reason for doing something
prophet (n) – a person who speaks for God; a person who has special knowledge from God
sovereign (adj) – above all others in power and authority, like a ruler
violence (n) – physical force used to hurt someone
destruction (n) – ruin; damage
ridicule (v) – to make fun of; to laugh at in an unkind way
scorn (v) – to look down on; to think of as unworthy
prosperity (n) – success; having more than enough of what you need
disaster (n) – something terrible that causes a lot of damage or loss

Reading God’s Word

Jeremiah was a man who lived about 600 years before Jesus. God gave Jeremiah a special purpose. He wanted Jeremiah to be a prophet – someone who would speak for Him, and give His messages to the people.
Jeremiah 1:4-9

4 The Lord said to me, 5 "I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations." 6 I answered, "Sovereign Lord, I don't know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" 9 Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, "Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak.

Jeremiah 20:7-9

7 Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived. You are stronger than I am, and you have overpowered me. Everyone makes fun of me; they laugh at me all day long. 8 Whenever I speak, I have to cry out and shout, "Violence! Destruction!" Lord, I am ridiculed and scorned all the time because I proclaim your message. 9 But when I say, "I will forget the Lord and no longer speak in his name," then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.

Jeremiah 29:11
(God speaks to Jeremiah)
11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Romans 8:28

28 We know that in all things God works for good to those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

Taking a Closer Look
1. When did God choose Jeremiah? (1:5)
2. How did Jeremiah feel about the purpose God gave him? (1:4-9)
3. Why is Jeremiah “ridiculed and scorned”? (20:7-9)
4. Why does he feel deceived? (20:7-9)
5. Why can’t he stop speaking God’s message? (20:9)
6. What kind of plans does God have for Jeremiah? (29:11)
7. What kind of plans do you think God has for you?
8. When can we find God? (29:13)
9. What does God do for those who love him and are called to his purposes? (Romans 8:28)

Taking Action
1. God has a different plan for everyone, but he wants us all to have the same purpose. That purpose is very simple; he wants us to love him and let him “work for good” in our lives. How can we make it easy for God to “work for good” in our lives?
2. God was very clear with Jeremiah; he spoke to him and told him what he wanted Jeremiah to do. But sometimes God’s plan might not seem very clear to us. What can we do if we are confused about God’s plan? How can we become more sure about what he wants us to do?

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