Jeremiah for Me! Gird Up, Suit Up, Get Up, Go!
Here's a lesson centering around Bible girdles or belts. Right out of the gate in Jeremiah 1:17 the Lord told Jeremiah: "Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all I command thee: be not afraid of their faces...." In this "Jeremiah Parable Lesson" lesson learn how to surround or gird yourself to be ready to stand for truth as Jeremiah so courageously did. Hear the "The Marred Girdle Story," and "The Seraiah Sequence" which both mention the Euphrates River. Become familiar with the gird up verses in Scripture, make a "belt of truth," and so much more!
Gird Up, Suit Up, Get Up, Go!
Gird up, suit up,
get up, go!
Stand up, arise,
to wrong say, "No!"
Gird up, suit up,
buckle up* tight-
Your belt of truth-
Speak up for right!
LEP
* Prepare for action!
A Jeremiah Parable: "A Ruined Girdle"
Read aloud the parable story found in Jer. 13:1-11. Learn what a girdle is, and how Jeremiah used it as an object lesson. Speaking of parables--an earthly story with a heavenly meaning--whom do you know used them the most in Scripture? What prophets besides Jeremiah also used them to get people's attention?
Long Ago: Ladies' Girdles Vs. Jeremiah's Belt:
Have you ever heard the word "girdle?" If you had grown up many years ago you most definitely would have heard that word. For a girdle was part of a ladies' wardrobe that kids laughed at, and that ladies hated. However, was that girdle like Jeremiahs? No!
Jeremiah's girdle was a belt-like or sash-like piece of clothing sometimes known as a loincloth or waistband. Into their girdle or belt, one would tuck their outer robe to be ready to run or enter into battle enabling the person to move easily. Also, what else might they tuck in their girdle?
Take a Look at the Words: Gird and Girdle: How many letters does each have? What does letter do they start with, end with? Do you see a smaller word inside the bigger one? What are other words similar to it? Which is a "verb word?" What sounds do you hear?
Some Gird/Girdle Definitions from Random House College Dictionary: A girdle is a belt, cord, sash, or the like worn around the waist. To gird means to encircle or bind with a belt or band; to surround or hem in; and to prepare (oneself) for action; and to provide, equip, or vest with power and strength. (p.558, c. 1980)
Two Psalm Gird Verses: Psalm 18:32: "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Psalm 18:39: "For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me."
Another Awesome Psalm "Girded" Verse: Psalm 93:1 reads: "The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world is established that it cannot be moved."
Take the Girdle Word Quiz: Match the words to their correct meaning: 1. Girdle 2. Loins 3. Linen 4. Leather 5. Euphrates 6. Mar 7. Profitable 8. Good for nothing 9 Cleave 10. Imagination
a. stubbornness b. priestly fabric c. material d. belt e. ruin f. cling g. river h. useless i. body area between waist/hips j. useful
Answers: d i b c g e h j f a
Gear Up, Suit Up, Buckle Up! Modern day terms rather than "gird up" might be: "Gear up!" or "Suit Up" or "Buckle Up!" all signifying that one should be ready and be prepared for action. Discuss when one might use the various commands.
Put this Sash Saga in Sequence: After rereading verses 13:1-11 aloud, put this sash saga in order.
a. Stash the sash in a rock hole. b. Buy a linen sash. c. Don't get the sash wet. d. Wear the sash. e. Go back and dig up the sash. f. Take the sash to the river. g. The sash is marred and ruined. Answers below!
Answers: b-c-d-f-a-e-g
Sash Saga Drama: Let kids choose one sentence out of the sequence to pantomime. Let others guess what story part they are acting out.
"The Parables of Jeremiah" Illustrated Chart: On page 1295 of The Word in Life Study Bible is a neat chart of eight of the parables used by Jeremiah. Above the pictured parables it reads: "A parable is a truth wrapped in a memorable story or word picture. It could be fictional, dramatized, or the result of a vision. Jesus gave much of His teaching through parables...." See "The pic "The Ruined Sash."
Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible Comment: In "The Loin Cloth: A Dramatic Parable" Eerdmans' states: "God makes use of every teaching method in the book to get his message across. The prophets often act out the message (see chapters 18,19,32). Actions often speak louder than words and stick in the mind." (p.400) To that I''d add a resounding "Amen!" For one of my purposes in sharing these lessons would be to encourage teachers/parents/grandparents to creatively think of ways to tell these stories using Scripture script making them come alive never to be forgotten!
Word Search in the Word for Kids and Adults: I'm sure you've seen many word search books on store shelves. Often, too, in schools "word search papers" are a first paper in the morning done by students serving as a time filler until all arrive/or the teacher is ready to begin class. Even oldsters wile away time with mindless word search pages. However, I ask you how much research have you done in your Bible? And if not, I'd like to challenge you to get ready and try it with Jeremiah.
Here's How to Get Started: On your white board/refrigerator clip/sticky notes have the word or words of the day posted. Introduce the word/words then open Bibles to Jeremiah 13:1-11. Read it together. Remember use giant print KJV Bibles for the youngest. Then: 1. Write word/words you're searching for on the white board. 2. Write word/words in journal. 3. Mark words found in your Bible as you search. 4. Dot the verse., put stickers beside it, or draw tiny pics. 6. Record your findings/may even pass out premade papers like the sample below. 7. Look over what you find--repetitious words, phrases, and key refs as well. 8. Choose a verse to write and recite. 9. Record what you learned!
Do a Girdle Word Search: IYJ Page: Kids/Adults can use page to pick out girdle words/other terms wish to search for. Across top see the words --use several or all of them specifying the colors used, and lines and shapes used. For example, draw a mini girdle shape round that word or make wave humps round Euphrates. etc. Use colors to find the words in text. Count the answers. For younger kids find one or two words a day. This page also makes a great puppet Scripture script as well. View IYJ photo below!
Record of Your Word Search: Jeremiah 13:1-11 KJV
How many times did you find the word "go?" three, four, or five ... "girdle"? six, seven, or eight ... "The word of the LORD?" three, four, or five ... "loins?" two, three, or four ... "Euphrates?" three, four, or five ..."it?" six, seven, or eight? and so on.
Answers: Go-3; Girdle-8; Phrase-3; Loins 4; Euphrates-3; It-7.
The "This Girdle" Gem Verse: Jeremiah 13:10: "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing."
This evil people were like the good for nothing girdle. Why? because they refused to hear God's words, they walked in the stubbornness of their hearts, and they walked after other gods to serve and worship them. Besides they had great pride! Instead, God wanted the people to become a name, a praise, and a glory to him. Sadly Jeremiah 13:11 ends, ... "but they would not hear." How like them people are today!
Did you notice there's another phrase that's similar to "good for nothing" in Jeremiah 13:7? What is it? Isaiah 44:10 also uses that phrase where it says: "Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?" We too may be following after things that are worthless or useless. Think about whom and what you go after.
An Imagination of the Heart Message: Our gem verse is just one of eight "imagination of the heart refs" found in Jeremiah. *Challenge: Search for more in chapters: three, seven, nine, eleven, sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-three. Do note the differences and similar parts in each verse!! When you find each one stick or draw a small heart by the verse. View IYJ ideas on how to creatively use the verse! Of this gem verse and girdle story, one certainly could say: "This parable message is clear-- they would not hear!" *See photo below!
The Gem n' Imagination of the Heart Verses IYJ Sheet: Click on page below to look at the IYJ sheet. At the top read the verse; note the parts that are underlined. In the center see the verse done in two sizes of print emphasizing its meaning. Ask who were the people?" What did the people refuse to do? Hear about their sinful behavior. They walked in the imagination of their heart (stubbornness or willfulness). They did their own thing. What did they walk after? other gods (little "g") What's another name for "other gods?" What two things did the people do with idols? Serve them and worship them. The people were sinful just like the ruined girdle. For smaller kids: Repeat the first part adding motions as you say it. Look sad, cover ears, walk in place, put hand on chest, pretend to bow, lock hands over waist, and shake head. Talk about how sad that was for God wanted them to be his special people to love and obey him.
Comment on Meaning of Girdle Parable: On page 1289 The Word in LIFE Study Bible comments: The meaning is ... self-evident just as the sash was ruined, so the pride of God's people had ruined them in terms of fulfilling God's purpose. Their evil ways had made them 'profitable for nothing.'" The sash's linen material was an apt material as "a symbol of proud Judah." The costly material was ..."often imported from Egypt. (Prov.7:16.)"
Stand Up! Put on or Gird Your Loins with Truth! In the NT there's a verse telling us what kind of a belt or girdle to put on. And that's not a marred girdle, but a girdle the Bible calls "The Belt or Girdle of Truth." The Christian, like the long-ago soldier, is to put on his battle outfit by first taking a stand against all evil by wearing "the belt of truth." Note, that it's the first part of the whole armor of God.
Create a Clever Kids' "Girdle of Truth": Here's a simple girdle or belt to make that younger kids will enjoy wearing while older kids/oldsters can hang up. Make it from a discarded cardboard egg carton top, paper towel and tissue paper ties/sections, and foam letter stickers. See photo below!
Steps: Cut around carton top making belt about 8 1/2"X3". Onto the top section stick "BELT." To the raised middle sections stick "T-R-U-T-H." Between letters add tiny oval sections from other letters. To carton bottom add "GIRDLE." For its belt ties fold paper towel sections and staple together. Cover with tissue paper strips about 18" in length or shorter for smaller kids. Staple on ties to cardboard carton middle area. Underneath front tape tissue paper strips measuring 2 1/2" X 7 1/2". Onto those strips stick "GIRD UP THY LOINS. Tape them on! Kids can also cut strips and print "gird up" verses or "truth verses." Wear to "rehearse" your verses or sing "Stand up for Jesus." Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus - Bing video
The "Stand-Up, Stand-Up for Jesus" Song Story: There's a captivating story behind the old song "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" that happened way back in the 1850s. At that time there was a passionate young preacher named Dudley Tyng who during a revival "The Work of God in Philadelphia" began holding noon mass meetings at a downtown YMCA. On Tuesday March 30, 1858, he preached to over 5000 men from Exodus 10:11: "Go ye that are now men and serve the Lord." Of the 5000 men there 1,000 of them responded to committed to totally being sold out to the Lord.
In his sermon he said, "I must tell my master's errand, and I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God's message." Sadly, just a week later something happened to Dudley while he was at a farm looking at a corn thrasher machine. There he accidently caught his loose sleeve between the machine's cogs and hurt his arm so badly that he died of an infection from the dreadful wound on April 19, 1858.
At his death bed surrounded by friends and pastors, Dudley's final whispered words were: "Let us all stand up for Jesus." On the next Sunday, the story goes, Dudley's close friend and fellow worker, Rev. George Duffield spoke in memory of Dudley from Ephesians 6:14: "Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." After, he read aloud six stanzas of a poem he'd written centered round the dying words of Dudley Tyng. It was from that poem the famous hymn "Stand Up, Stand Up, For Jesus" came to be! (101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W, Osbeck, pp.236-239)
To read story and hear its verses, listen here: "Timeless Truth Online Library." Also listen to the Cedarmont Kids' video of the hymn here: Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus - Bing video
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind! Prepare for Action! I Peter 1:13 is another gird up verse to rehearse. It reads: "Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ!"
Gird Up Your What? That simply means keep your minds clear and focused and free from distractions, so you'll be ready for action to serve the Lord. What do you keep your mind focused on? "Your phone, your Facebook, your ...?"
Gird Up Kids! Gird Up Girls, Gird Up Guys prepare to be ready for action. For I Peter 3:15 also tells us: "... Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ...." So, hold the Word up high and get set for action!
Gird Up Girls, Gird Up Guys!
Gird up girls, gird up guys,
Stand for truth, resist lies!
Rise up girls, rise up guys,
Stand for truth, you be wise!
LEP
Psalm 94:16: "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Will you? What will you stand for? What will you stand against? Hear the neat video by the Whisnant's titled: "Who Is on the Lord's Side?" Hear here: Bing Videos
Gird Up Girls, Guys IYJ Photo Page: Look at the "GIRD UP!" page below. Turn small U into girl or guy. Read the verses and rhyme. Then let kids make a page-sized "U" a page and draw themselves in it! Entitle: "U Gird Up!" or "U Gear Up!"
Gird Up! Jeremiah Door Hanger Verse/Learning Tool: Using two door hanger cutouts make a Jeremiah that will help kids and adults to understand what gird-up your loins means when someone tucked their robe into their belt in or order to run or move more easily. Needed: two door hanger cutouts, tissue paper, colored paper, punch, O foam sticker, Velcro pieces, foam stickers, pen top, sticky note, tape, glue, paper towels, and scissors.
Make: Cut out hangers using pattern or buy them ready-made. To the back of the front hanger tape/glue orange face. Use piece of tissue paper for a headband. Cut two paper towel outer robe pieces one for each side. To robe sides stick "GIRD UP!" Glue on punch dot eyes, nose, cheek pieces. Add a foam "O" mouth. Add a belt below. If you wish stick Velcro squares to belt or use them for a beard or hair.
To back tape/glue a second hanger leaving the top four inches without tape/glue so the Jeremiah Door Hanger can be over various doorknobs. To the back gird up verses or girdle vocab can also be added! See photo at end of the lesson.
For a soldier's girdle you can attach long chain-like strips to protect the loins. Demonstrate how one might fold up the side robe pieces into the belt. If you view biblical belts or girdle articles there are a number of drawings and suggestions, but in the end, scripture confirms the robes were gathered up and tucked into the sash if one wished to move freely--the exact method really isn't described. (I Kings 18: 46) A note in my Bible indicates that Elijah tucked the skirts of his robes into his belt in preparation for quick travel! The King James Study Bible (p. 595, 1988, Thomas Nelson Inc.)
PS You might like to make a mini sword (view photo below) using a ballpoint pen top and a folded sticky note.
"At the Ready" Bird: The Belted Kingfisher: Did you know there's a bird with a belt? Now it isn't a belt like we've been discussing, but it is a belt of feathers so to speak. The male bird has an upper band, while the female has that as well as a rusty colored bird girdle or "bellyband". The kingfisher is ever 'at the ready' perched on wires or other lookout positions high above a body of water as a creek, lake, or river. At the slightest movement in the water below it swoops down to use its big beak to pierce that fish and eat it. It surely is a picture of a bird "fisherman" that is prepared and always ready for action!
Sing the Truth Belt Song!
(Tune: "The Lord's Army")
I will daily put on my truth belt,
Yes, put on my truth belt,
Yes, put on my truth belt,
I will daily put on my truth belt,
Ready to stand up strong. (Say!) I will!
Ready to stand up strong, (Say!) I will!
I will daily put on my truth belt,
Ready to resist wrong! (Say!) I will!
Words: LEP
Actions for little ones: Interlock fingers across stomach as if putting on a belt, stand at attention, raise fists, speak "I will!" loudly, and nod head emphatically.
Ephesians 6:14: "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth ...."
A Stand Up for the Lord Man: Jermiah was a stand-up-for-the-Lord man who refused to give up or give in but persisted in taking a stand wherever he was or wherever he went. He was beaten, persecuted, and mocked but still he stood up for truth obeying the Lord in each and every message he gave! May we do the same bringing glory to His name!
Stand for Truth Today! Tune: "Do Lord, Oh, Do Lord!
Yes Lord, oh, Yes Lord, I'll do what you say,
Yes, Lord, oh, Yes Lord, I'll do what you say,
Yes, Lord, oh, Yes Lord, I'll do what you say,
Your Word I will obey! Yes!
Yes, Lord, oh, yes Lord, You I will obey,
Yes, Lord, oh, yes Lord, You I will obey,
Yes, Lord, oh, yes Lord, You I will obey,
And stand for truth today! Yes!
Words: LEP
Actions for younger kids: nod head, point up, and place hands together for "Bible." Raise voice at end of second verse!
The Marred Girdle: Puppet/Scenes:
Jeremiah Puppet: Use your Jeremiah puppet and add a white paper towel belt to bottom of puppet. Click on photo below!
Background Scenes: Jerusalem Gate; and Euphrates River: Gate: Stand Jeremiah between Jerusalem Gate wearing the folded paper towel sash or belt. River: Use a cardboard egg carton with scalloped blue construction paper pieces arranged as in photo below. Make a "marker-like" sign saying "Euphrates River" for the back. Take off Jeremiah's girdle and have him stand by the "river" that has small rocks in front. Put a little dirt inside a jar lid; and fold a second sash to stash between the rocks first putting some dirt on it. Pull out sash to see it marred and mashed. Use Scripture Script to tell story! Click on photos below.
Re: Euphrates River Map, Refs., n' Facts IYJ Sheet/Game: Jeremiah hid and later dug up the girdle "by Euphrates." What a river! First mentioned in Genesis 2:14 and last mentioned in Revelation we find references throughout the Bible to it.
Make a game sheet placing EUPHRATES down the left side of the page. To the right place wavy line 3"X3" squares divided into three parts: Maps, Refs, and Facts. Tape the squares so wavy line (cut apart wavy lined images) pieces can be put in the side of the correct part. Use three bottle caps: "M, R, and F" for game pieces. Find a map image to use for the game--enlarge for little ones--see the one I chose below. May also find Euphrates image photo, and tiny map to top squares. See photo!!!!
Here's a list of map places to find: Find: the four seas, Persian Gulf, Tigris, Euphrates, Babylonia, Babylon, Judah, Egypt, Nile, and the Mediterranean Sea. For a list of Bible refs: use Gen.2:14, Gen 15:18, Jer.13, 4-7, Jer. 50:38, Jer. 51:8, Rev. 9:14, Rev. 16:12.; Read verse aloud; ask a ? If correct put wavy piece into Refs. square. For Facts: Use wavy pieces for: Eu-phra-tes, 2 rivers in Asia, flow from Turkey, Euphrates 1700 miles long, Tigris 1150 miles long, join together, Biblical Tigris a.k.a "Hiddekel," Euphrates from Gen.-Rev., Euphrates drying up, entire river dry in Rev., and Euphrates paired with Tigris. Dig into the map, the Bible refs, and the facts about the Tigris and the Euphrates and you'll be better prepared to understand Babylon and its homebase for the exiled captivity! Don't miss the IYJ pages photos below!!! Click to enlarge!
To Play: Player picks a M, R, F from cup. Then player picks one wavy piece from matching envelope. Teacher/Parent reads it and asks for answer. If correct put into side of river square. Person with most wavy river pieces wins!
Large IYJ Map Sheet: Find map image of Babylonian Empire; enlarge. Reminder: May use map for your personal use only. May use this map by itself placing wavy pieces below that tell which parts to locate. Parent/Teacher may then give kids some sticky dots, small sticky note arrows, etc. Call out location. Let kids use sticky piece to pinpoint location. Great idea to use with any map page! babylonian empire map images - Bing images
A Stand Up for Truth Athlete!
Not long ago I heard about a young athlete who like Daniel of old "dared to stand alone"* because he believed so strongly that trusting in the Lord Jesus as one's Savior from sin was the sole answer to today's problems. This young man, Jonathan Isaac, wrote a book Why I Stand. Upon looking closely at the cover, I was especially moved by its illustration--the tall basketball player with his head bowed under the middle letter of an oversized "A" in STAND! Was the "A" for alone? See IYJ page photo. *"Dare to Be a Daniel!" View lyrics here: Dare to Be a Daniel > Lyrics | Philip P. Bliss (timelesstruths.org) Bing Videos
On July 30, 2020, Isaac's recalled "suiting up" in his team jersey and sweatpants ready to stand by himself, while the rest of the team outfitted in look-alike clothing prepared to take a knee. This took courage especially for one so young. Isaac's testimony of his salvation, and growing love for the Word is clearly evident in his interviews/descriptions. Why I Stand: Isaac, Jonathan: 9781956007060: Amazon.com: Books
Be Like Jeremiah: Gird Up & Stand Up!
Recall, the prophet Jeremiah often stood alone and sat alone as well-- find and reread these standing and sitting passages. (Jeremiah 15: 16-17, 19-21.) May we like Jeremiah find the courage to stand for righteousness and truth in a world filled with hatred and evil!
Yes, let us begin today to gird up our loins with truth for as George Duffield wrote: "Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose, Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in his strength alone, The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own, Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer, Where calls the voice of duty be never wanting there." As Jeremiah 17:5, 7 remind us: "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." But, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the LORD is."
PS: One More Gird Up Verse! "Be Girded with Gladness!" Read it! Psalm 30:11: "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Let us also, as the psalmist did, praise the Lord who alone is able to deliver us from being wrapped in sadness into being encircled with gladness! As Psalm 30:5 declares: "...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
IYJ Gladness Page: Click on photo below to view page. Read aloud and discuss Psalm 30:10-11: what does "mourning" mean? What are some other like words? crying, weeping, wailing, sadness. What is the opposite of mourning? gladness, happiness, dancing, joy, praise, glory, singing, and so on. Notice: words: gird and gear up. Begin bottle cap verse (secure with tape) at the green dot. Notice the verse encircles the man full of gladness. See 'smile' at bottom with word "gladness" between music notes, and bread-tie cheek pieces.
PSS: Another Euphrates' Mini Story: The Seraiah Sequence: Seraiah the Quiet Prince
Here's a Jeremiah 51:59-64 story to tell, act out, and draw IYJ. This Seraiah was a quartermaster --a quiet prince-- to whom Jeremiah wrote all these words that he commanded Seraiah to read to the exiles when he got to Babylon. Find at least six verb words beginning from "see to say." Circle them in your Bible. See IYJ sheet! Make mini "U" puppets. Add facial features: eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, and beard. If you like, make face sized Us for Jeremiah/Seraiah for little ones to peek through.
Do view the IYJ page photo clicking on it to enlarge it! Chock full of Scripture script and learning this page tells the story of Jeremiah's commands to Seraiah, its sequence, its six verb words, the 'this book' scroll, Euphrates pocket river, inserts into river, the 'this place' Babylon, and info about Seraiah.
