Message Notes
Look Back
What “Ebenezer” moments did you reflect on this week? How has recognizing moments where God was working in your life helped your faith journey for the future?
Look Up
Read Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Why is it significant that God starts by saying “I know the plans I have” to Jeremiah? What message was God sending to Jeremiah and how does it apply to people today?
- God promised to freely give Jeremiah “hope and a future” – how easy is it for you to understand and accept that God also promises to freely give you “hope and a future”? What helps you or holds you back?
- Verses 12-13 give instructions for what to do while we wait for God’s plans to unfold. What things does God tell us to do in these verses? Which is easiest for you? Hardest?
Read Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version) and Isaiah 55:8-9
- What do these verses say about God and His “thoughts”? How might these truths help you face difficult decisions or choices?
- Why does God promise Jeremiah an “expected end”? How has this assurance helped you navigate a situation that seemed to be heading in the wrong direction?
Read Proverbs 16:9
- What does this verse say about the role that people should play in making plans? How easy or difficult is it for you to make plans for the future? Why?
- How can a person make sure that the Lord “determines our steps” and how have you done this in your life?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
Set aside some time to review key events in your past in preparation for your future. What is one event in your life where you know that God prepared you for today?
Notes
We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. What we can see clearly is our past. Reflecting on the high and low moments of our lives is a valuable tool to help us plan our course forward. As you look at your past, take time to write down what you learned from the key moments along the way. Learnings from where we have been and what we experienced can help us get an indication of how God has been preparing us for the future.
