God’s desires to bring healing and restoration to His church, He will do this as His people seek His face in prayer.  180611_001  

1.      Read Jeremiah 29:1-3 What was the situation facing the exiles in Babylon when they received Jeremiah’s letter?  In what way did Jim compare the American Church to the Israelites?  Discuss how you feel about this comparison.

 2.      Read Jeremiah 29:17-19.  What caused God to punish Israel so severely?  What are some things that God may be displeased with when He looks at the American Church today?

 3.      Read Jeremiah 29:10. What promise did God make to the exiles?  How do you think they responded to this promise?  Read 1 John 1:8-9.  What promise is given in verse 9?  How are we to respond to this promise?

 4.      Read Jeremiah 29:11. What kind of plans did God have for the exiles?  What kind of prosperity do you think God had in store for the exiles?  What kind of prosperity do you think God has in store for us as His people today?

 5.      Jim said that to understand God’s plan for us we need a fresh understanding of what?  Jim defined God’s Kingdom as “God in action”.  What do you think this means?

 6.      Jim also said, “We are not simply saved so that we can go to heaven.”  Do you agree with this statement?  Then he also said, “We are saved so that we can enter into the realm of God’s activity.”  What did he mean by that?

 7.      Read Jeremiah 29:12-13.  How do you think these verses connect with verse 11?  In what way is prayer the primary vehicle for such engagement in God’s Kingdom?

 8.  Oswald Chambers believed that the purpose of prayer was to “get into step with God, not to manipulate or coerce Him into blessing (our) personal plans.”   How do feel about that statement?  How do you think prayer can get us into step with God?  What are some ways you can improve your prayer life?