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Understanding
the Plan
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Lesson
Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to help people see there is a plan
for our lives. God’s plan is not about each day being determined
beforehand. This lesson will demonstrate that when we choose to
live our lives with God as our guide and head, life will be more
full and satisfying than we could even imagine.
Scripture:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares
the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon
Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You
will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and
will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a) |
Ice
Breaker:
Invite the group to think for a moment about this question: In
your life, what is the biggest thing you ever planned for?
Ask group members to share their responses.
Life
Connections:
Use these questions to help your group members to begin to open
up with one another and to think about their own lives. The answers
to these questions need not be spiritual in nature. The intention
is for practical real life responses.
1)
Why do we make plans? So we can know what is
going to happen; so we can be prepared; so life will be easier.
2)
How do you feel when everything goes as planned?
Satisfied; in control; like I accomplished something good.
3)
How do you feel when things don’t go as planned?
Frustrated; totally helpless; it doesn’t bother me too much.
4)
What role does God have in your plans? Not much,
I make them without considering Him; I pray He will help my life
to go well; I feel like He has let me down when my plans fail.
Scripture’s
Answers: Jeremiah 29:11-14a
In this section the Life Connection questions are now related
to the passage of Scripture being used in this Bible Study. The
answers to the following questions should come from the text as
well as out of the individual’s hearing and understanding
of what they have heard read.
Have a member of the group read the Scripture passage aloud for
all to hear. Make sure extra Bibles are available so everyone
can follow along.
Introduction:
Most people plan their lives. We like to plan and prepare for
our futures. All too often we find our planning doesn’t
work the way we had hoped. For some this leads them to give up
their goals and dreams. For others failure spurs them on to try
more, plan in strategic ways and work harder to achieve what they
want. Sometimes botched plans lead people to curse God because
He did not help them to succeed. Others could care less, or think
little about God’s involvement in their lives—their
plans are all dependent on their own strength and stamina.
God wants us to understand He has a plan for each of us. This
plan is not something that is laid out, scheduled for everyday
and against our will. God’s plan is to bring us to Himself.
When we respond to His loving call and His plan for us, our lives
will look different and our planning will not be in our power,
but in His.
5)
What do you think God means when He says He has a plan
for you? He wants to control me; He knows what is best
for my life; He helps those who help themselves.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: God has said He has a plan for each
of our lives. He also says His plan is to prosper us, and
not to harm us. Many people think God is an angry and judgmental
God who does whatever He wants even if it hurts us. This passage
of Scripture says that isn’t true. God does not want
to harm us. He wants what is best for us. |
6) What goes through your mind when you realize that God
wants to prosper you, give you hope and give you a future?
I did not expect that to be what He wanted; I am amazed He would
want that for me; I am not sure what God is going to do in my
life.
7)
God also wants to listen to you. What would you say to
Him if you had the chance? I wish He would help me more;
I don’t really think I need Him in my life; I have no idea
what I would say to Him.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: God wants us to come to Him. He doesn’t
care where we have been or what we have been doing; He still
has a plan for us. God tells us that He wants us to call on
Him and to seek Him. We all are seeking something in our lives.
Some of us may be seeking to make a name for ourselves, others,
seeking to have enough money to retire and leave our children
with something, others, seeking to make a difference in the
world. God says when we seek Him we will find Him. |
8)
What do you think finding God would do for your life?
Make me happier; I don’t really know; help me to
be a better person.
9) How do you think you can find Him? By going
to church; by reading the Bible; by praying.
Reflection:
Invite the group to take a moment to reflect silently on the questions
you are going to ask. These questions can be answered or you may
choose to allow the members of the group to think about them.
10)
What is keeping you away from God’s plan for your
life?
11)
How is relying on your own planning failing you?
12)
What is holding you prisoner?
Optional
Activity Time:
As a way to make the reflection more meaningful in the lives of
group members there are two activities to engage in. First, give
the group time to write the answers to the reflection questions
in a journal they can keep throughout the study time and the week
to come. Second, send each group member home with these questions
to think about and write about in a journal during the week. When
the group gathers together the next time, break the group up into
smaller groups and give them the opportunity to share what they
have been thinking about since they last met.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He
came into the world and lived and died for all people. His
death made it possible for us to know God and not be separated
from Him. God has a plan for each of our lives; He wants each
of us to know Him. When we know Him our lives are different.
Everything we do is different. When we experience His love
and His forgiveness we are free from anything that is holding
us prisoner. When we allow God to be in charge of our lives,
He promises to prosper us, give us hope and a future. We must
be careful to understand when God talks about prospering it
isn’t material blessings He is talking about. God will
provide for us, it may not be the way we would imagine, but
He will provide. Nothing and nobody else in the world can
really offer us these promises but Jesus Christ. |
Conclusion:
Take time to pray together before the group leaves. Allow group
members to share insights and ask questions they may have.
Possible
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for coming to the world and dying for us so we can
know God. Thank You for having a plan for each of our lives.
Thank You for the hope and peace we can have when we turn
to You. We want to turn our lives over to You and live according
to Your plan. Will You come into our hearts and forgive us
of our sins so we can be freed from the things of this world
that hold us? We know our own planning is not perfect and
that we often fail. We need You to guide us and lead us through
the good times and the bad. We want to take Your hand and
walk the pathway of life with You.
Amen. |
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