LGC - Everything's Changed Now What Part 1

Curriculum

Dive Deeper

Everything's Changed... Now What? (Part 1)

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 outbreak overturned everything. Many of us are forced to abandon our plans or alter them dramatically. Where do we think God is in all of this? And what are we to do now?

Over 2,600 years ago, the people of Judah faced a similar situation. King
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon sacked their capital city Jerusalem, taking with him the king, the queen mother, all the officials of the court, all the military men, all the skilled workers, and all the treasures of the kingdom (cf. 2 Kings 24:10-17). For all intents and purposes, they were destroyed as a people. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke to them. Let us listen to what God had to say then, in hope that He will speak to us today.

DISCUSSION

Read Jeremiah 29:4.

a. Where was God in the people’s defeat?
b. How did God’s actions fit into their understanding of Him? Were His actions consistent with who they knew Him to be?
c. How has COVID-19 confirmed or challenged your understanding of God? Is your understanding consistent with how God presents Himself in this verse?
Read Jeremiah 29:5-7.

a. How were the exiles supposed to act? What was the reason God gave for His instructions?

b. Why might it have been difficult for the exiles to act in accordance with God’s instructions?c. How might these verses apply to us today? How should we act?
Read Jeremiah 29:8-9, and also verses 15-23. (cf. Jeremiah 28:1-4 and Jeremiah 29:24-28 for examples of what false prophets of the time were preaching).

a. Why did God, through Jeremiah, spend the bulk of his letter to the exiles on the subject of false prophets? Why might have God’s people been particularly prone to this danger at the time?

b. During this crisis, how might we guard ourselves against thoughts that are not from God? How do we better discern His voice?
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14.

a. What did God promise to His people in exile? What does it tell us about His nature?

b. How would you understand verse 11 in the context of Judah’s exile for 70 years in Babylon? See the meaning of the word ‘prosper’ in footnote.

c. Pay attention to verses 12 and 13. What was the role of God’s people in the fulfilment of God’s promises?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO

Take some time to reflect upon your actions this crisis.

a. What did you do or think about when you first heard about COVID-19?

b. What did you do or think about when the Circuit Breaker period in Singapore began?

c. What did you do or think about today, with regard to the crisis?

Ask yourself why you acted in the ways you did. What did your actions reveal about what you value, where you place your trust, and how you relate to God?

Daniel understood what God wants him to do during his time. His security is placed in God. Everything’s changed but God remains in-charge.

Pray in response.

MEMORY VERSE

“‘…I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’” – Jeremiah 29:14b