Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20

As a class or in small groups, invite students to create a list of things the Lord asks young adults to do that might feel overwhelming. (Examples might include serving in the Church, getting married, pursuing an education, serving a mission, or raising children.)

Encourage students to think about one difficult thing from the list or something else that comes to mind. Invite them to consider how the teachings in Jeremiah 1 could inspire them to accomplish what the Lord asks of them.

To help students understand the context of the book of Jeremiah, explain that Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry took place from about 627 to 585 BC. Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the same time as the prophet Lehi (see 1 Nephi 5:10–13; 7:14). During much of Jeremiah’s ministry, the people of Judah were very wicked. (For more information, see “What is the book of Jeremiah?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Explain that Jeremiah felt overwhelmed when the Lord called him to be a prophet. Invite students to read Jeremiah 1:4–10, 17–19, looking for truths the Lord taught Jeremiah that may have provided help or comfort. Then consider asking:

• What insights did you gain from the Lord’s counsel to Jeremiah that could help you when you feel overwhelmed by what the Lord asks of you?

Invite students to read Jeremiah 1:4–5 again. Then share the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson and discuss the accompanying question:

Your spirit is an eternal entity. The Lord said to His prophet Abraham: “Thou wast chosen before thou wast born” [Abraham 3:23]. The Lord said something similar about Jeremiah and many others. He even said it about you [see Doctrine and Covenants 138:55–56].

Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth. You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes. (“Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 107)

• What truths can we learn from Jeremiah 1:4–5 and President Nelson’s statement? (Students could identify a truth like the following: Before we were born, the Lord knew us and gave us specific responsibilities to fulfill in mortality.)

It may be helpful to point out that being ordained before our birth to fulfill specific responsibilities is known as foreordination.

Consider giving students time to learn more about foreordination from the scriptures or other resources on Gospel Library. For example, they could study Topics and Questions, “Foreordination” (Gospel Library); Guide to the Scriptures, “Foreordination” (Gospel Library); or Elder Steven R. Bangerter’s message titled “Foreordained to Serve” (Liahona, May 2024, 56–59).

After sufficient time, invite students to share insights they gained from their study about foreordination with a partner or small group. You could also discuss questions like the following together as a class:

• What difference can it make for us to remember that the Lord appointed us to fulfill certain responsibilities before we were born?

• What can help you identify the specific duties or responsibilities for which the Lord has foreordained you?

Invite students to ponder and write down what they might do to discover what Heavenly Father has foreordained them to do, how they can fulfill their foreordained responsibilities, or other spiritual impressions they have received. You might also share your testimony of the truths discussed during this activity.

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You could begin by reading the following scenario:

Annika finds herself slipping back into old habits. No matter how hard she tries, she struggles with the same sins. She wonders if she is even capable of change. Annika knows she needs to turn to God, but part of her hesitates because she is unsure about how He feels about her and her behavior.

Invite students to privately ponder if they have ever felt like Annika. Encourage them to look for truths about Jesus Christ that can help them as they study Jeremiah 2.

As needed, remind students that the prophet Jeremiah was called by God to preach to the people of Judah during a time of great wickedness and spiritual decline. Although the people had once followed the Lord, they turned away from Him to worship idols and pursue wickedness.

Invite students to read Jeremiah 2:13 and 19, looking for how the Lord described the people and their wickedness. Then consider asking questions like the following to help students share their insights:

• What can we learn from the descriptions and symbols in these verses? (As needed, explain that a cistern is a dug-out area below the ground that is created to store water.)

  

• What can the phrase “fountain of living waters” teach us about Jesus Christ?

Point out the word “backslidings” in verse 19. Explain that backsliding means to return to a state of sinfulness. Jeremiah frequently used this term to describe the people of Judah and Israel. To help students practice the skill “Finding Themes in the Scriptures” from Scripture Study Skills, you could give students a few minutes to mark the word “backsliding” or “backslidings” in the following verses: Jeremiah 2:19; 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; 31:22; 49:4. You might also ask:

• What are some examples of “backsliding” you see today?

Invite students to study the Lord’s message to His backsliding people in Jeremiah 2:9; 3:12–17, 22–23. Then consider asking:

• What stood out to you as you read these verses? (As part of this discussion, students may share truths like the following: The Lord will heal and show mercy to those who repent and return to Him. You could write the truths the students identify on the board.)

Consider sharing the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen to help students better understand this truth:

Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. As if we were climbing a tree-covered mountain, at times we don’t see our progress until we get closer to the top and look back from the high ridges. Don’t be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting. (“Repent … That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 41)

You could remind students of the scenario from the start of the learning activity. To help students apply truths they learned, invite them to write a message to Annika using what they studied in Jeremiah 2–3. Encourage them to use verses of scripture, words from Church leaders, and their own personal experiences in their message.

After sufficient time, students could share the messages they wrote with a partner or a small group. You might also discuss questions like the following together as a class:

• Why is it sometimes difficult for people to believe that the Lord will be merciful when they return to Him?

• How could a better understanding of the Savior and His attributes change how we respond when we sin or fall short?

Encourage students to think about their lives and what they have learned or felt today about the Savior that can help them when they backslide. Invite them to write down any impressions they have or things they would like to remember from their experience today. You could also testify of the Lord’s mercy and power to heal us as we return to Him.

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You could begin by discussing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

So many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)

• What are some “manifestations of the Savior’s power” that are taking place now and will take place in the last days?

Invite students to read Jeremiah 16:14–15, looking for one miraculous event that Jeremiah prophesied would occur in the last days. Invite students to share what they found. (As needed, you could explain that Jeremiah was prophesying of the latter-day gathering of Israel.)

You could display the following image and ask the accompanying question:

• When you think about God’s plan, why might the latter-day gathering of Israel be an even greater miracle than delivering Israel out of Egypt?

Invite students to think about their current efforts to help gather Israel. (If students need help understanding what it means to gather Israel, you could have them search Topics and Questions, “Gathering of Israel,” Gospel Library.) Encourage them as they continue studying to look for truths that can help them participate more fully in this important work.

Remind students that Jeremiah preached to the kingdom of Judah at a time of great wickedness. Invite students to read Jeremiah 16:13, looking for what Jeremiah prophesied would happen because of the wickedness of the people.

Invite students to read Jeremiah 16:16, looking for what the Lord promised to do for the Israelites after they were scattered. Then consider asking:

• Why might fishing and hunting be good comparisons for the gathering of Israel in our day?

• What can you learn from this verse about our role in the gathering of Israel? (Help students recognize a truth like this one: Jesus Christ calls us to find scattered Israel and bring them back to Him.)

Explain that one way we hunt and fish for Heavenly Father’s children today is by sharing the gospel. Consider inviting students to share questions or concerns they have about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. You could write their answers on the board. You could then invite them to choose a question or concern to focus on and find a scripture, a statement by a Church leader, or another resource from Gospel Library that could help address it. The following are some examples of resources students could study:

• Jeremiah 1:7–9; Doctrine and Covenants 84:88; Moses 6:32–34

• Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message titled “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 15–18)

• Resources in the “Sharing the Gospel” collection in Gospel Library

After sufficient time, students could share insights with a partner or with the class. You could also ask a question like the following:

• What are examples you have seen of people being gathered to the Lord through missionary work? (As part of this discussion, you might watch the video “Celia Cruz—Puerto Rico” [2:38].)

  

  2:38

Give students time to think about what they feel inspired to do, big or small, to help gather others to Jesus Christ through sharing the gospel. Encourage them to write their plan in their personal notes, and to determine when they will accomplish it. You could ask a few willing students to share their plans with the class.

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