Is Anybody Listening?
I. Two Stories of FAILING to LISTEN (Jer. 40-43)
A. This is Why We CAN’T Have NICE THINGS! (Jer. 40:7-41:10)
1. A small (but PROMISING) new BEGINNING (Jer. 40:7-12)
2. Confusing OPTIMISM and TRUST (Jer. 40:13-41:1)
3. A DECISIVE End (Jer. 41:2-9)
B. Out of the FRYING PAN and into EGYPT (Jer. 41:10-43:3)
1. A HEROIC RESCUE (Jer. 41:10-18)
2. A GOOD (AFTER)thought (Jer. 42:1-3)
3. A Fatal REQUEST, a Tragic DECISION (Jer. 42:4-43:3)
1. Kid’s Question: Think about a time when you didn’t listen to your parents’ advice. How did that situation end?
2. How do you feel about the assertion that blind optimism can be a form of pride? Do you think that pessimism can be prideful? Which do you struggle with more?
3. What is the relationship between prayer and decision-making in your life?
4. Have you ever flatly refused to follow God in an area of your life when you knew God was calling you to something different?
II. The FOLLY of PRIDE (Jer. 43:1-2; Prov. 16:18; Jam. 4:6)
A. Doesn’t SEEK WISDOM [Self] (Jer. 40:13-16; 41:17-18; Prov. 11:2,14; 26:12)
B. Doesn’t REQUIRE FAITH or TRUST [God] (Jer. 40:16; 43:1-2)
C. Doesn’t Only AFFECT the PROUD [Others] (Jer. 41:9; 43:5-7)
5. What is your relationship with pride?
6. Is there an area of your life where you are unwilling to hear wisdom or critique? Why do you think that is?
7. Can you think of a way in which your pride has affected those around you?
III. LENT is for LISTENING
A. Where are my INCONSISTENCIES? (42:5-6; 43:2-3)
B. Of WHAT am I CERTAIN? (Jer. 40:16; 41:18)
C. What is RECURRING in my LIFE? (Jer. 40:16; 43:2)
8. Which of these 3 questions poses the greatest challenge to you? Why?
9. How many things are you entirely certain of? What are your top 3 certainties?
10. What is an area of your life that is a recurrent struggle or frustration? What role might pride be playing in this area and what might God be trying to say to you through this?