Session 8 | Jeremiah 31:23-34
the details of the new covenant God was establishing.
31 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the LORD’s declaration—
“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”32 “This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors
on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—
my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”—the LORD’s declaration.33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after those days”—the LORD’s declaration.
“I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”34 “No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying,
‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”—
this is the LORD’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.”
verses 31-34.
name key ideas about the old and new covenants.
List their responses under the headings you created for the opening activity.
identify what you see as the most important distinction between the two covenants—and why.
There is continuity in the new covenant with the old covenant.
God still expects His people to obey His commandments.
He remains our God, and we are still His people.
He still extends His invitation to know Him and to receive the forgiveness of sin.
What is wonderfully different is that the Lord graciously does all these things through Christ.
A new covenant means a new heart through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
Invite the group to reread silently today’s Scripture passage,
looking for words and phrases that reveal how God would provide redemption and restoration.
Call for volunteers to share a word or phrase they noticed.
Guide the group to discuss the question under Apply the Text on page 71:
Discuss as a group why Jeremiah’s description of the new covenant is good news today.
How does it point to the gospel?
As noted, identify individuals who need to hear the gospel and begin praying for a chance to share with them this week.
Let adults know that you are available if anyone has questions about starting a personal relationship with God.
Allow volunteers to offer a sentence prayer
thanking God for His redemption.
Close in prayer,
asking God to help adults live out the new covenant each day.
Reinforce the session by praying specifically for any in the group who have not put their faith in Jesus. Pray that today’s study might draw them closer to making that decision.