Jeremiah for Me! Lesson 3: "Truly, In the LORD Is Salvation!" A Jeremiah Journey, Journal, and Puppets
In this lesson we'll hear God's words to both Israel and Judah. For journal ideas click on the sample journal photos to see them up close. Don't forget to "meet" our new puppet--good King Josiah! Remember, that for every lesson there are brand new journal ideas and a new puppet or accessories. DON'T miss them!!!
If you haven't read Lesson 1 (Intro Lesson) click below to read it and view the Jeremiah puppet. And if you haven't viewed Lesson 2 click below to find it and the Jerusalem Man puppet.
Chapter Three: Read Aloud: Read verses 6-19 and 22-25. Remember IYB = in your Bible while IYJ = in your journal.
Background Info to Know: The twelve tribes of Israel were divided into a Northern Kingdom of ten tribes known as Israel and a Southern Kingdom of two tribes known as Judah. See journal page photo below for pic of this! Both kingdoms were like sisters. In 722 BC Assyria captured the Northern Kingdom, while in 586 BC Babylon captured the Southern Kingdom. After each was captured, they were scattered to various places. When you think of dates here are two to also keep in mind: the Olympics began in 776 BC while Jeremiah lived about 600 BC.
A Time Frame: IYJ make a time frame for the capture of both kingdoms. Show the kids the journal tiny pics from the timeline book below pointing out the dates. Explain that "BC" means before Christ. However, now this dating method has been changed to BCE which means the "Before the Common Era," and CE which denotes "Common Era." This page is a great tool to explain why Christians continue to use BC/AD.
Discover The Big Picture Bible Timeline: Check out The Big Picture Bible Timeline (Gospel Light, 1991) that features both an O.T./N.T. timeline. e.g. On page 37 is a picture for the capture of the No. Kingdom, and on p.41 is a picture for the fall of Jerusalem. Notice I downsized the pics and colored them. Find the book here: The Big Picture Bible Timeline (Big Books): Gospel Light: 9780830714728: Amazon.com: Books
Have You Seen? In Jeremiah 3:6 God says to Jeremiah, "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done?" Then the Lord answered saying, "she has gone up upon every high hill and under every green tree ..." What did Israel do there? Yes, there she worshipped other gods or idols. Who else saw all the evil in those high places? Her "sister" Judah did.
View the journal page below; click to make it larger. Kids may draw eyes, mountain, green tree, and an idol. Or they may do as I have done cut out a mountain pic e.g., and make it pop out. Once again, I used a timeline pic and folded up the line about idol worship putting the word "open" on it so kids can read it. Do discuss "high places" and what was done there. Remember, younger children may make their journal pics full page size. See example below!
After many warnings God punished the No. Kingdom Israel. And the Lord said, "Israel made my land sinful. Israel worshipped idols of wood and stones. Even after Israel was captured Judah had no fear of me and kept right on doing the same things. Judah pretended to turn to me, but really did not." Then God said, "Backsliding Israel has done better than unfaithful Judah. "(Jer.3:9-11)
Jeremiah's Mercy Message: Because of his people's sin God told Jeremiah to proclaim these words to the north, "Return, backsliding Israel, and I will have mercy on you. I won't keep my anger forever. Admit your sin against me." (Jer. 3:12) And the Lord promised in future (verses 15-19) Israel and Judah would not ever again walk after the imagination of their evil hearts but would come from the north back to Jerusalem.
The Proclaim Frame: IYJ draw Jeremiah announcing: "Return, thou backsliding Israel!" View the larger "Proclaim Frame" picture below. Understand younger kids should do larger drawings; see the synonyms of "proclaim" around Jeremiah's picture.
The Truly-Truly Gem Verse Jeremiah 3:23: "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel."
Our gem verse tells us how foolish it was that God's people thought worshipping idols up on the mountains or under the green trees would help them because their only hope was in the LORD their God. IYJ use glitter crayons to write the verse. See the gem verse journal photo below!
Judah's Shame: Have you felt sad because something you did was wrong? God's people did. Jer. 3:23-24 tell us that from the time they were youths they were doing evil. The last verse says we lie down in our shame (prostrate) for what we've done, for we are so sad we've not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God. IYB Draw a sad face in front of verses 23-24.
A Sad Face Place: IYJ draw one of the people with a downcurved mouth and a shameful expression. Draw another person with hands covering their face. See sample.
Just Like in Jeremiah's Time all of us sin. But the good news is we have a Savior, the Lord Jesus, who took our sins on himself on the cross, and if we confess our sin to him, we can have forgiveness and trust Jesus to be our Savior. After that, when we sin, we can confess our sins each time. For I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Have You Heard of These Words?
1. return 2. backsliding 3. treacherous 4. defiled 5. stocks/stones 6. proclaim 7. merciful 8. vain 9. salvation 10. truly 11. shame 12. confusion
a. made unclean b. idols c. announce d. compassionate e. turning to sin f. to come back g. foolish
h. rescue from danger/distress i. disgrace j. surely k. embarrassment l. unfaithful
Unscramble the Chapter Message: "children! Return ye backsliding"
Answers to Vocab Word Meanings. 1. (f) 2. (e) 3. (l) 4. (a) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (g) 9. (h) 10. (j) 11. (k) 12. (i)
Answer to Message Meaning: "Return ye backsliding children!"
Good King Josiah Puppet: Today's puppet is King Josiah who was the last good king of Judah. After him came four more kings--Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah-- who all did evil things. View his photo below to see his "paper-plate edge, pipe cleaner, and gift bag handle crown." For more on Josiah read II Kings 22-25.
Say did you notice Jer. 3:6 says it was during the reign of King Josiah that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah regarding backsliding Israel had done? Puppet Pointer! Save used gift bags for your puppet's headbands, beards, belts and .... Coming in Lesson Four will be "The Lion in the Thicket" puppet and the Babylonian Soldier Puppet! And in Lesson Five you can make an easy to assemble towel tube Jerusalem Gate where your puppet Jeremiah can 'preach' from. DON'T MISS THEM!
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