StoneBridge Community Church
The Plans I Have For You: Jeremiah 29.11
Pastor Jeff Cheadle
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Campus
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:30 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Online "Connection Card"
Thanks for joining us today! Follow this link to our online "Connection Card" where you can let us know you were here and share any prayer concerns.
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Introduction to Jeremiah
An Introduction to Jeremiah, another brief, outstanding introductory video from The Bible Project.
https://bit.ly/2eOzbz1
"The Flight of the Prisoners" (detail) by James Tissot. The Jewish Museum, New York City.
1. Trust that God will…
1. Trust that God will bless you in your new situation.
Accept your new situation as your new situation, and invest yourself in the opportunities it offers.
For Reflection/Discussion: Have you ever found yourself in a situation or a place you never planned to be? What was that experience like? How did you respond to it? Try to imagine what it was like for the people of Israel to see Jerusalem destroyed, God's Temple torn down, their homes set on fire, and then be forced to move to a city a thousand miles away where their language wasn't spoken, their God wasn't acknowledged, and their future was uncertain. What was God's message and instruction to the exiles? How would you have responded to such a message? As our church family goes through this time of pastoral transition, how might today's text address our situation? What can we do as a church family to make this a positive, productive time of increase, not of decrease? What are your thoughts on the observation Before God brings great blessing to his people, he first prepares them to receive it?
2. Learn the difference between…
2. Learn the difference between biblical hope and wishful thinking.
Biblical hope is rooted in reality and grounded in God.
James Stockdale
"James Bond Stockdale (1923-2005) was a United States Navy vice admiral and aviator awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, during which he was a prisoner of war for over seven years." Wikipedia article. Read more…
https://bit.ly/2DlAsdKFor Reflection/Discussion: Have you ever been tempted to give up hope? What is the difference between biblical hope and wishful thinking? In your judgment, why were the false prophets promising peace so popular, while Jeremiah, a true prophet of God, was not? What are some examples of false hope that people cling to? Why is false hope dangerous? Admiral James Stockdale survived eight years in a Vietnamese POW Camp. To what did he attribute his ability to survive? Why are stories like Stockdale's inspiring? Disturbing? What are some of the tough realities that you or someone you love is facing? Why is biblical hope so resilient?
3. Embrace God's…
3. Embrace God's clear and settled plan to bring the peace that our hearts long for.
For Reflection/Discussion: What is God's clear and settled plan for his people? Jeremiah 29.11 was originally written to exiles from Jerusalem in Babylon. Is it appropriate to apply Jeremiah 29.11 to believers today? Why or why not? The NIV translates part of Jeremiah 29.11 as "plans to prosper you." How might that translation be misleading? The Hebrew word being translated is a familiar one— Shalom. What is shalom? Where else in Jeremiah 29.4-13 is the word shalom used? How can Jeremiah 29 help us when we are going through a distressing, disorienting time in our lives? How does Ephesians 1.4-11 flesh out the promise of Jeremiah 29.11?
Don't miss these great opportunities!
You are invited to join us for our message series and congregation-wide Growth Group study on “Selfies of the Savior” as we explore the startling statements Jesus made about himself, and their hidden meaning for us today. Visit the Ministry Table after service to sign up.
Do you feel you need a renewal of some sort? Is something holding you back? Feeling dry and empty? Looking for meaningful time with God? Join us at The Oaks at Lake Hughes where you will find freedom from all the things that are weighing you down and keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be. Come and find your freedom in Jesus Christ. Visit the ministry table after service this weekend for more information. You can also visit our website to find out more information and to register.
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