Message Big Idea

In Jesus, we find hope for the future that changes our present.

Scripture

Jeremiah 33:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Icebreaker

What was a gift or toy that you longed for as a child that you may have either received or didn’t?

Opening Thought

The spiritual leaders of his time persecuted Jeremiah. They told lies about him and trashed talked him to King Zedekiah so that the king threw Jeremiah into prison. During this trouble, Jeremiah prophesied the most important message of hope for Israel and the world – a savior, a descendant from King David would come and be known as the “The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” Jeremiah had hope for the future, and this made all the difference in his present circumstances.

Bible Discussion

1. Read Jeremiah 33:12-18. What stands out to you from this passage?
2. What type of person do you think the people of Israel envisioned as “The Lord Our Righteous Savior”? If they knew the Savior would come from David’s ancestors, how might that have impacted their thinking about what sort of person it would be?
3. How do you think Jeremiah felt about delivering this message? In what ways would he be bringing hope to the people?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. If righteousness is primarily about being in a right relationship with God, what might it mean for the church “to become the righteousness of God?”

Life Application

5. The promise of God means hope for the whole world, yet we can sometimes lose hope. Where, how, or what makes you feel hopeless? Where do you find help when you start to feel hopeless?
6. Henri Nouwen writes, “I have found it very important in my own life to try to let go of my wishes and instead to live in hope. I am finding that when I choose to let go of my sometimes petty and superficial wishes and trust that my life is precious and meaningful in the eyes of God something new, something beyond my own expectations begins to happen for me.” What are superficial wishes? What does it mean to live in hope?
7. When our hope is in Jesus, we will never be disappointed. In your own words, how would you explain the hope we have in Jesus? How can you share that hope with someone else?

Challenge

During the week ahead, be mindful of those around you that need the hope of Jesus. Is there someone that you can share how your hope sustains you even in the hardest of times? Pray for opportunities to be used by God in others’ lives.