Week 1: Jeremiah 2:1-13, 23-29; John 4:13-14
April 21-27
Overview: A traitor is one who betrays another’s trust or is false, and treason is the act of betraying one’s sovereign (think king or God!). Treason is the only crime defined in the U.S. Constitution and requires two witnesses. According to Cornell Law School, the code of treason states:
“Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the U.S. or elsewhere, is guilty of treason.”
The punishment was death or imprisonment, along with fines and the loss of the right to hold government office. In U.S. history, this is a rare crime, with only about 40 prosecutions and even fewer convictions. This offers a glimpse into what Israel, God’s people, did when they chose to adhere to idols and forsake their loyalty to Him. While the analogy of treason may be a bit of a stretch, Israel turned to an enemy—empty and vain idols that could neither satisfy nor restore. Scripture says in Jeremiah 2:13:
“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
Cisterns were tanks for rainwater, common in areas where wells were scarce. They could never provide an ever-flowing, fresh supply of water like a fountain springing up with life. Moreover, they were easily broken, unable to retain the water poured into them, so that the earth would drink it all up. Likewise, when we give aid or abet the enemies of God in our lives, we commit treason against the Lover of our souls.
Day 1: Jeremiah 2:1-13, 23-29
Read through Jeremiah 2 for context, then focus on verses 1-13 and 23-29.
What do we learn about God?
What do we learn about people?
What is the key/main point?
Reflect: What are some needs that all humans seek to fulfill?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 2: Jeremiah 2
Note that not every text will have each of these. Please don’t force the text to make it fit. Simply look for what is there.
What sins are we called to avoid?
What commands/principles are we given to obey?
What promises can we claim?
What examples are there to follow?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 3: Jeremiah 2
What history does the Lord give concerning Israel in this passage?
How do we forsake the Lord?
When have we dug a broken cistern?
From whom do we get our significance and security?
Do you know God’s complete approval and satisfaction?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 4: Jeremiah 2
S.O.A.P.
S – Scripture – Write out, word for word, a verse or verses that spoke to you in this passage.
O – Observation – What specifically stands out in this verse? What caught your attention and made you think?
A – Application – Note how you can specifically apply this to your life right now.
P – Prayer – Journal a prayer about the truth you are clinging to and how you will apply it in your life.
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 5: Jeremiah 2
Re-read this week’s passage.
Pick a verse from the passage to memorize. Spend time memorizing it and write it down.
What barriers do you see in your life that may prevent you from obeying your application from Day 4?
Who is one person who can hold you accountable to obey?
Who in your life is far from Jesus? Take time to pray for them.
Going Deeper:
Because God created us all with different personalities and spiritual temperaments, we each have our own unique ways to worship, grow, and connect with Him. Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below that helps you connect with God and deepens your knowledge and understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
• Meditate on Scripture in nature
• Write a poem related to this text
• Sing the Scripture
• Do a word study on some words in the text
• Listen to a worship song related to this text
• Draw a picture related to this text
• Look up parallel verses
• Reach out to a friend and talk about what you are learning this week
• Listen to this text of Scripture (audio Bible)
• Paint related to this text
• Memorize your favorite verse in the text
• Journal
• Pray the Scripture
• Write a letter of encouragement to someone sharing what God is teaching you
• Do a prayer walk as you pray through this Scripture or something God spoke to you about in this text
• Read Scripture out loud
• Choose a main idea/repeated word or phrase from the text and look at how it is carried out throughout the verses this week
Sermon Notes:
Disclaimer: “Unless otherwise noted, the overviews and questions were taken in part from smallgroup.com, a curriculum writing division of LifeWay Christian Resources.”