Before We Get Started

For our discussion today, we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?

This Week’s Topic

GOD + US

Today’s Topic

The Summons

Discussion Questions

A Summons to God

Jeremiah 1:1-3

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

Morgan Stephens

“The word of the Lord” is the phrase used in the Old Testament describe to designate a special message from God for people through prophets.

 

How does God’s word summon his people to himself?

How does the word of the Lord reveal God’s authority and power?

What scripture verse or story has God used to summon you to himself?

A Summons to Self

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Eugene Peterson, Run With the Horses

My identity does not begin when I begin to understand myself. There is something previous to what I think about myself; it is what God thinks about me. I never speak the first word; I never make the first move.

Jeremiah’s life didn’t start with Jeremiah; Jeremiah’s salvation didn’t start with Jeremiah; Jeremiah’s truth didn’t start with Jeremiah.

Who did God tell Jeremiah he had made him to be in verses 1:4-10?

What words would God use to describe you?

What attributes of God’s identity and character have shaped your understanding of yourself?

A Summons to See

Jeremiah 1:11-15

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”

“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”

The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.

 

Walter Brueggemann, A Commentary on Jeremiah

The royal-temple ideology, embodied in temple liturgy and royal claims of legitimacy, asserted and imagined that [Israel] was an indispensable vehicle for God’s way and blessing in the world…and therefore…immune to covenant sanctions and God’s judgment. 

This ideology was the official religion of Jerusalem and…was popularly embraced. The tradition of Jeremiah articulates a sustained challenge to the royal-temple ideology, insisting on the centrality of [the] covenant…”- 

How did the royal temple ideology blind the people of Jeremiah’s time?

What spiritual practices can help us humbly receive God’s correction?

What do you think God is summoning you to see in your life in this season?

A Summons to Stand

Jeremiah 1:17-19

Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

How does our knowledge of God’s word help us to stand firm and trust God?

What is one scripture that helps you stand when you face challenges in life?

How is Jesus the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jeremiah 1:17-19?

Closing Moments

End your time in prayer for one another, focusing on asking God to speak to each person in a unique throughout this GOD + US series.