Memory Verse
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14

Lesson
Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah the priest. He lived in Judah, just north of Jerusalem. At the time God called Jeremiah into ministry, Josiah was king of Judah.

As evidenced in the callings of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others, each time God calls someone, He equips that person 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” (Jer. 1:6). God assured Jeremiah: “I will be with you” (Jer. 1:8).

God called Jeremiah to be a prophet. The people of Judah had broken the covenant God made with them at Mount Sinai. The terms of the covenant are found in Exodus 19. God said through Moses, “If you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, … and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation” (vv. 5-6). God’s people responded, “We will do all that the LORD has spoken” (v. 8).

But Judah was deep in idol worship and other sins. God punished the unfaithfulness of Israel by sending the Northern Kingdom into exile. Now God’s judgment was coming for Judah, and Jeremiah’s job was to warn them.

This week, share with your kids that along with the warnings, Jeremiah brought a message of hope. Jeremiah told God’s people about a new and better covenant. Jeremiah told about a day when God would forgive sin and change people’s hearts. Jesus made these words come true. God forgives our sin through His Son, Jesus. He changes us and gives us power through His Spirit to obey His commands. Jesus did not come to get rid of the law. (See Matt. 5:17.) Through His sinless life, Jesus fulfilled the demands of the old covenant. When we trust in Jesus, we are credited with His righteousness and our changed hearts enable us to want to follow in Christ’s footsteps and obey God as well. 

Family Discussion Starter
Do you always obey rules at home?  Why not?
Is your heart hard toward God or soft?  Why?
Why do you think God sent prophets to warn His people?