Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Leadership Prayers: Jeremiah – Affliction, Hopelessness, Hope; Lamentations 3:1-33

1. What did Jeremiah accuse the Lord of doing to him that had caused him pain?

2. Do you believe that God had done these things to Jeremiah or was Jeremiah expressing his extreme pain and frustration to God?

3. What circumstances in your life have happened or could happen that might prompt you to express your pain, frustration, and disappointment to God?

4. How can remembering affliction, roaming, wormwood (bitterness), and gall (poison) bring hope (Lamentations 3:19-21)?

5. What does Lamentations 3:27 mean?

6. How many times does Jeremiah use the word hope in Lamentations 3:19-33 and what brings him hope?

7. What brings you hope?

8. Express you hope or hopelessness to God and thank Him for His mercies, compassion, faithfulness, and goodness.

For a full class outline (5 pages) Session 6

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Leadership Prayers: Jeremiah – Discouragement, Persistence, Depression; Jeremiah 20:7-18

1. Why was Jeremiah discouraged and what did he want to do? Jeremiah 20:7-10
2. How did Jeremiah praise the Lord and what did he ask from the Lord? Jeremiah 20:11-13
3. What thoughts and feelings followed Jeremiah’s praise? Jeremiah 20:14-18
4. How could a godly leader have this range of thoughts and feelings in so short a time?
5. What prophecies was Jeremiah privileged to deliver
a. About the coming of Jesus? Jeremiah 23:1-8
b. About the return from captivity? Jeremiah 29:10-12; Jeremiah 32:36-44; Daniel 9:1, 2
c. About the new covenant? Jeremiah 31:31-34
6. Ask God to bless you in your leadership position – whether you are afraid and ready to quit, encouraged and ready to tell others how great and powerful God is, or depressed and wished you have never been born.

For a full class outline (6 pages) Session 5