Connect Group Study Notes:   6 November 2022

Theme: “In the Potter’s House.”

Reading:  Jeremiah 18:1-11

Fellowship (10 min)

Begin with general conversation and sharing about how the past week has gone. Try not to go over time.

Worship and Prayer (15 min)

Click on the link below on your smartphone, Smart TV, or computer, to select songs to sing; and then spend a few minutes in song and prayer.

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL SONG’S PLAYLIST:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1vXdZVPkZ0_tQW5n9RqeZX0

And if you need to check on the Message for the week again, then click on:

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL (MESSAGE): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1X4YYw1KLpda1yGnqKgfw/videos

This time of worship and prayer will encourage you to move your thoughts from daily worries and pressures to our time of Bible study and prayer.

Read:  Jeremiah 18:1-11

Warm up Questions[i]

  • Are you any good at making things or doing crafts? What have you made? What would you like to make?
  • What “pot” best describes you”: Kettle? Crack pot? Frying pan? Cast iron? Flower pot? Fine china? Other?

Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min):

  • What does Jeremiah see at the potter’s house (vs. 2-4)?
  • How does the nature of the clay determine the quality of the pot and what it is used for?
  • What point is God trying to make about the conditional nature of his promises and threats (vs.5-10)?
  • Personalize verse 6b, so read it as if written personally to you “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand….”; what do you think about the truth of God having the authority over your life – to change you and shape you according to his will and purpose? How does this make you feel? Do you want God to reshape your life?
  • What is Judah’s decision regarding God’s warning (vs.11-12)? Does God bring disaster and judgement on people? How does this thought make you feel? Do you sometimes feel as if your life is “under God’s judgement”?
  • Why do the people continually ignore God (vs 12)? If the people had changed their attitude, and become obedient to God, do you think God might have changed his mind?

 

Faith Building:

  • Jesus (the saving love of God) is the one who stands between us, and the judgement of God; and the Holy Spirit (the love of God at work within us) is the one who intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-30). Try to learn to trust in God’s moulding and shaping work in your life this week. Pay special attention to those difficult times that might confront you. Look carefully at what is going on, take that opportunity to learn to recognise if God is at work in your life remodelling you. In that moment what are you learning about yourself?

 

Group Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

 

Sending Prayer (2 min). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of resurrection and new life, we give you praise for how you continue to live within us, by your Holy Spirit, and how you reshape us and empower us to be more than we can imagine. Give us the courage to trust that you can and will teach us to live each day according to your plan and purpose for us. May we walk both with humility and boldness in your Spirit this week. Amen.

Have a great week.

God bless,

Tim.

[i] With thanks NIV Serendipity Bible: 1998; Zondervan; pg 1075