Conclusion: Set Apart to Make Disciples in Every Nation

CONNECT

Have your children match the following:

1. A healthy fruit that you can eat or drink

2. Something that you use to take notes in school or make cool drawings

3. Something you wear to keep your body clean from dirt while looking good

a. Shirt

b. Pineapple

c. Pencil

Did you get all of the answers correct? Each item has a specific purpose that only it can fulfill. A pencil can’t do the same thing as a shirt, and vice versa. The same is true for all of us. God has given us unique gifts and a specific place to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

READ THE WORD

A message from the LORD came to me. The LORD said, “Before I formed you in your mother’s body I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart to serve me. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” “You are my LORD and King,” I said. “I don’t know how to speak. I’m too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I’m too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to. You must say everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of the people I send you to. I am with you. I will save you,” announces the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand. He touched my mouth and spoke to me. He said, “I have put my words in your mouth. Today I am appointing you to speak to nations and kingdoms. I give you authority to pull them up by the roots and tear them down. I give you authority to destroy them and crush them. I give you authority to build them up and plant them.” Jeremiah 1:4–10

As a young boy, Jeremiah received these words from God. God told him that He knew him even before he was born, and that Jeremiah had been called to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah protested, but God assured him that He would be with him.

Jeremiah had a God-given purpose for his life. And from the Bible, we know that Jeremiah lived out that purpose. He became a prophet to the nation of Israel. Even if the people did not listen to him, he persevered and continued giving God’s message to the people.

Today, we have a mandate from God to tell others about Jesus, in our homes and families, in school, in our communities, and in other nations. We have the most wonderful message to tell that people need to hear. Let us be bold and take part in this work of taking the gospel wherever people are.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Think of ways you can tell your playmates and friends about Jesus.

7–12 years old

• How can you tell your friends who still do not know Jesus about who He is and what He has done for you?
• Ask God for a nation that you can pray for. Pray for this nation today.

Kids to Parents

• How have you fulfilled God’s command to tell others about Jesus?

As a family, think of ways you can take part in telling others about the gospel. Perhaps you can invite another family to church or share a meal with them. If you see they have a need, perhaps you can find ways to help them. There are many different ways to do this. Ask God to open doors and lead you to people who need to hear the gospel.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for setting us apart. Thank You because You have set us apart for Your honor. Please help me live it out every day. Help me be bold, to open my mouth, and to speak to others of You. God, we also pray for the nations that still need to hear about You. We pray that You give us ideas on how we can take part in bringing Your gospel not just to our nation but to other nations as well. In Jesus’ name, amen!

DISCOVER

Jeremiah served as a prophet to the people of Judah for over forty years. Even though it was a tough time for Judah, Jeremiah’s message was not well-received. The message of judgment fell on deaf ears as people continued to live in disobedience to God.

But God is merciful. In this book, God offered a glimpse of the new covenant He intended for His people. This was fulfilled in Christ, and now people can know Him directly. This is where we are now. Through Jesus, we are able to enjoy a personal relationship with God and tell others about Him.