This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.

This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.

JEREMIAH CHAPTER SUMMARIES

JEREMIAH BOOK OVERVIEW

PRINTABLE PDF PLAN

SESSION 1: JEREMIAH 1-6

SESSION 2: JEREMIAH 7-13

SESSION 3: JEREMIAH 14-19

SESSION 4: JEREMIAH 20-25

SESSION 5: JEREMIAH 26-32

SESSION 6: JEREMIAH 33-39

SESSION 7: JEREMIAH 40-45

SESSION 8: JEREMIAH 46-52

SESSION ONE: JEREMIAH 1-6

JEREMIAH’S CALLING

Before Jeremiah was a prophet, he was a priest. What are some differences between these two roles?

Read Jeremiah 1:10. What do you think it means that Jeremiah’s role was “to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant”?

Why did Jeremiah think he was unqualified to be God’s messenger (1:6-8)? In what ways have you told yourself that you are not qualified to be used by God?

How does Jeremiah 2:26-28 show the Israelites’ attitude towards God in comparison to their attitude towards false idols?

In Jeremiah 3, how did God compare His relationship with the Israelites to an unfaithful marriage? Do you think this analogy is fitting? How does it show not only Israel’s faithlessness but also God’s grief?

In Jeremiah 4, which nation is referenced as the “disaster from the north”?

How does Jeremiah 5:18-19 summarize the reason for Israel’s afflictions?

What did Jeremiah reveal about the priests and false prophets in Jeremiah 6:14? Why would they give the Israelites false hope for peace?

SESSION TWO: JEREMIAH 7-13

JEREMIAH’S MESSAGE

In Jeremiah 7, what stands out to you about Jeremiah’s temple speech? What key themes or messages did Jeremiah convey?

Read Jeremiah 8:9. Based on this verse, what is the source of wisdom?

Jeremiah also wrote the book of Lamentations and is often referred to as “the weeping prophet.” How did Jeremiah lament in Jeremiah 8:18, 9:1, and 9:10?

Read Jeremiah 9:8 and Proverbs 18:21. What do these verses say about the power of words?

Why do you think that the books of prophecy, including Jeremiah, focus heavily on the theme of idolatry?

Read Jeremiah 11:19. What is significant about the symbolism of a lamb led to slaughter? To what greater prophecy does this verse point?

Have you ever asked the question Jeremiah asks in 12:1? How did God respond to Jeremiah’s question?

What does Jeremiah 13:10 say about the idea of “following your heart”?

SESSION THREE: JEREMIAH 14-19

JEREMIAH’S FRUSTRATION WITH JUDAH

What would be the fate of the unfaithful people of Israel? What did the lying prophets say in direct contrast to this reality (Jeremiah 14:11-14)?

In Jeremiah 15, why do you think God used Moses and Samuel as examples? What does this comparison reveal about the state of Israel?

Read Jeremiah 15:18. How did Jeremiah express deep distress and pain with God? What does this say about Jeremiah’s personal relationship with God?

Why would God not want Jeremiah to marry or have children? Does this direction from God seem vengeful or compassionate (Jeremiah 16: 1-4)?

Read Jeremiah 17:5. What do you think it means to put your trust in the flesh?

Read Jeremiah 17:9-10. What does it mean that the heart is deceitful? How can you find a balance of trusting your instincts while also denying yourself?

Jeremiah repented on Judah’s behalf but also asked God to enact justice against Judah. How do these two requests show both Jeremiah’s compassion and his frustration towards Judah?

Throughout these chapters, the phrase “stiff-necked” is used multiple times. What does this phrase mean, and how does it describe the Israelites?

SESSION FOUR: JEREMIAH 20-25

JEREMIAH’S SUFFERING + PERSECUTION

How was Jeremiah’s persecution similar to the persecution that Jesus faced? How does Jeremiah’s statement in 20:14 reveal his deep distress?

Who was Judah’s final king? Which nation took Judah captive (see Jeremiah 21 + 2 Kings 24)?

Based on Jeremiah 22:9, what was the cause of Judah’s demise?

How does Jeremiah 23:5-6 relate to God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7?

Read Jeremiah 23:11. Why would this statement be especially meaningful or significant coming from Jeremiah?

What does Jeremiah 23:23-24 reveal about God’s presence? Do you find this concept to be comforting or overwhelming?

In Jeremiah 24, how did Jeremiah compare the good and the bad figs? What does it meant to “return to God with your whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7)?

Jeremiah 25 uses the imagery of a cup of wine to depict God’s wrath. Read Luke 22:42. How did Jesus use this same imagery to describe His suffering?

SESSION FIVE: JEREMIAH 26-32

JEREMIAH’S YOKE + HOPE FOR JUDAH

Why did the people want to kill Jeremiah? Why do you think they were offended by his message of the temple’s destruction?

How did Jeremiah’s message coincide with the message of the other prophet (Jeremiah 26:18)?

In Jeremiah 27, why do you think Jeremiah wore a yoke as a physical symbol to the nations?

How did Hananiah respond to Jeremiah’s wearing the yoke? What was the result of his reaction (28:10-17)?

Does Jeremiah 29:11 apply to us directly today? How have you seen this verse taken out of context?

Read Jeremiah 29:13. What does it look like to seek God with all your heart?

Why would God want the Israelites to buy homes, plant gardens, and start families while in exile?

In Jeremiah 30, why did God refer to Israel as Jacob? Which tribes made up Israel, and which tribes made up Judah?

Read Jeremiah 31:9. How does the wording of this verse echo the language of Psalm 23?

SESSION SIX: JEREMIAH 33-39

JEREMIAH, THE RECHEBITES, + EBED-MELECH

Read Jeremiah 33:9. According to this verse, why would the people be trembling in fear? Why does this seem odd or counterintuitive?

Read Jeremiah 33:17-21. How does this passage recall God’s promise to David? How does Jesus fulfill the role of both priest and king?

Jeremiah 34 uses freedom from slavery as a powerful image of God’s mercy. Why would this symbol be especially meaningful to the Israelites?

How was Zedekiah’s reversal of his decision similar to Pharaoh’s in Egypt? What was the outcome of this decision (see Jeremiah 34 and Exodus 14)?

How did the Rechebites display more faithfulness to their father than the Israelites showed towards God (Jeremiah 35)?

In Jeremiah 36, why do you think Jeremiah’s predictions were burned? Why didn’t the Israelites want this warning?

Who helped Jeremiah out of the cistern? Why was he an unlikely helper?

According to Jeremiah 39:18, why were Jeremiah and Ebed-melech saved?

SESSION SEVEN: JEREMIAH 40-45

JEREMIAH IN JUDAH + EGYPT

Why do you think Jeremiah was given the choice to go to Babylon or remain in Judah? Why did he remain?

Do you think Gedaliah was being irresponsible by ignoring Johanan’s warning about Ishmael? What happened to Gedaliah?

In Jeremiah 42, Jeremiah prayed for discernment. Why would it be especially important for a prophet to pray for God’s direction and guidance?

What was Israel’s history with Egypt? Why do you think Jeremiah warned the people of Judah not to return to Egypt?

Read Jeremiah 42:6 and 43:2. How did Johanan ignore his promise to obey when the results were not what he wanted?

In Jeremiah 43, what is the significance of the large stones? What event would take place in their location?

Why do you think God continued to warn against false idols in Jeremiah 44?

Read Jeremiah 44:22. Does God’s patience run out? What does it mean that He could no longer bear?

What does God’s compassion for Baruch in Jeremiah 45 reveal about God’s character?

SESSION EIGHT: JEREMIAH 46-52

GOD’S JUSTICE + COMPASSION

Read Jeremiah 46:27-28. How did God balance both justice and compassion towards the Israelites in Egypt?

In Jeremiah 46 and 47, God used water as an image of destruction. How can water represent both life and death?

Jeremiah 48 references the Moabite people. How was Jesus related to the Moabites? (See Ruth 4 or Matthew 1)

Jeremiah 48:7 states that the people trusted in their works and treasures more than God. How have you seen or experienced this temptation to trust in success or wealth?

Why did God provide warnings to the nations that did not follow Him?

Did the Babylonians honor God? Why would He use them as the world power at this time? Who became the world power after Babylon?

Does the idea of God’s vengeance or justice affect your faith or impression of Him?

How does the story of Jehoiachin serve as a glimmer of hope and example of God’s kindness and love for His people?

Way to go! You finished the book of Jeremiah!

Thank you for reading through the Bible with Everyday Scripture.

Keep going — the next book of Old Testament Prophecy is Lamentations!

LAMENTATIONS RESOURCES