Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
Living With Purpose: Lessons From Jeremiah 1
Big Idea
God made you on purpose, for a purpose. He wants you to know Him, follow Him, and help others know about Jesus.
Bible Passage
Jeremiah 1:4–10, 17–19
Key Takeaways for Kids
1. God made you on purpose.
You are not an accident. God knew you before you were born.
2. God has a plan for your life.
Your purpose is to love God, obey Him, and help others know Jesus.
3. God calls us, and we respond.
We do not tell God what to do. God leads us, and we follow Him.
4. Sometimes we feel afraid.
Jeremiah was afraid too, but God told him, “Do not be afraid.”
5. God helps us do what He asks us to do.
God does not call us because we are already strong. He gives us strength.
6. Following God can be hard.
Not everyone listened to Jeremiah, but Jeremiah kept obeying God.
7. You can make Jesus known right where you are.
At home, school, church, sports, and with friends, you can show others the love of Jesus.
Opening Question
When you grow up, what do you want to be?
After kids answer, say:
Those jobs are good things, but your biggest purpose is even greater than a job. Your purpose is to know God, love God, obey God, and help others know Jesus.
Object Lesson: Fish Out of Water
What You Need
A picture of a fish, toy fish, or just ask kids to imagine a fish.
Say
A fish was made to live in water. If you put a fish on the grass, it might flop around, but it will not be happy or healthy there.
God made the fish for the water.
God made us for Him.
When we try to live without God, we are like a fish out of water. But when we follow God’s purpose, we live the way we were made to live.
Ask
Where does a fish belong?
Where do we belong?
Answer: With God.
Discussion Questions
1. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
How does it feel to know God knew you before you were born?
2. Jeremiah thought he was too young to do what God asked.
Have you ever felt too young, too scared, or not good enough to do something?
3. God told Jeremiah, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
What are some things kids your age might be afraid of?
4. How can remembering that God is with you help when you are afraid?
5. What are some ways you can obey God at home?
6. What are some ways you can obey God at school?
7. Jeremiah had to speak God’s message to people.
How can we tell people about Jesus today?
8. What can you do if someone makes fun of you for following Jesus?
9. God helped Jeremiah do something hard.
What is one hard thing you need God’s help with?
10. What does it mean to live with purpose?
Activity: God Made Me for a Purpose
Give each child a piece of paper.
Have them write or draw:
1. Something God made me good at
2. Someone I can show kindness to
3. One way I can tell others about Jesus
4. One thing I need God’s help with
For younger kids, let them draw pictures instead of writing.
Activity: Fear and Faith
What You Need
Two signs:
- “Fear”
- “Faith”
Read different situations and have kids move to the side of the room that shows what they might feel first.
Examples:
- You need to tell the truth after doing something wrong.
- You see someone sitting alone at lunch.
- You want to invite a friend to church.
- Someone asks you why you believe in Jesus.
- You need to apologize.
- You are scared at night.
Then say:
It is normal to feel fear. But God can help us choose faith.
Practical Applications for Kids
1. Pray for three people.
Think of three people who need to know Jesus or need God’s help. Pray for them this week.
2. Tell someone about Jesus.
This could be as simple as saying:
“Jesus loves you.”
“God made you.”
“Would you like to come to church with me?”
3. Do one brave thing for God.
Examples:
- Tell the truth
- Apologize
- Invite someone to church
- Pray out loud
- Be kind to someone who is left out
- Stand up for what is right
4. Use your gifts for God.
If you like to sing, sing for Jesus.
If you like to draw, make a card for someone.
If you like to talk, encourage someone.
If you like to help, serve someone.
5. Remember: God is with you.
When you are afraid, say:
“God is with me. I do not have to be afraid.”
Memory Verse
Isaiah 41:10
Living With Purpose: Lessons From Jeremiah 1
Big Idea
God made you on purpose, for a purpose. He wants you to know Him, follow Him, and help others know about Jesus.
Bible Passage
Jeremiah 1:4–10, 17–19
Key Takeaways for Kids
1. God made you on purpose.
You are not an accident. God knew you before you were born.
2. God has a plan for your life.
Your purpose is to love God, obey Him, and help others know Jesus.
3. God calls us, and we respond.
We do not tell God what to do. God leads us, and we follow Him.
4. Sometimes we feel afraid.
Jeremiah was afraid too, but God told him, “Do not be afraid.”
5. God helps us do what He asks us to do.
God does not call us because we are already strong. He gives us strength.
6. Following God can be hard.
Not everyone listened to Jeremiah, but Jeremiah kept obeying God.
7. You can make Jesus known right where you are.
At home, school, church, sports, and with friends, you can show others the love of Jesus.
Opening Question
When you grow up, what do you want to be?
After kids answer, say:
Those jobs are good things, but your biggest purpose is even greater than a job. Your purpose is to know God, love God, obey God, and help others know Jesus.
Object Lesson: Fish Out of Water
What You Need
A picture of a fish, toy fish, or just ask kids to imagine a fish.
Say
A fish was made to live in water. If you put a fish on the grass, it might flop around, but it will not be happy or healthy there.
God made the fish for the water.
God made us for Him.
When we try to live without God, we are like a fish out of water. But when we follow God’s purpose, we live the way we were made to live.
Ask
Where does a fish belong?
Where do we belong?
Answer: With God.
Discussion Questions
1. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
How does it feel to know God knew you before you were born?
2. Jeremiah thought he was too young to do what God asked.
Have you ever felt too young, too scared, or not good enough to do something?
3. God told Jeremiah, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
What are some things kids your age might be afraid of?
4. How can remembering that God is with you help when you are afraid?
5. What are some ways you can obey God at home?
6. What are some ways you can obey God at school?
7. Jeremiah had to speak God’s message to people.
How can we tell people about Jesus today?
8. What can you do if someone makes fun of you for following Jesus?
9. God helped Jeremiah do something hard.
What is one hard thing you need God’s help with?
10. What does it mean to live with purpose?
Activity: God Made Me for a Purpose
Give each child a piece of paper.
Have them write or draw:
1. Something God made me good at
2. Someone I can show kindness to
3. One way I can tell others about Jesus
4. One thing I need God’s help with
For younger kids, let them draw pictures instead of writing.
Activity: Fear and Faith
What You Need
Two signs:
- “Fear”
- “Faith”
Read different situations and have kids move to the side of the room that shows what they might feel first.
Examples:
- You need to tell the truth after doing something wrong.
- You see someone sitting alone at lunch.
- You want to invite a friend to church.
- Someone asks you why you believe in Jesus.
- You need to apologize.
- You are scared at night.
Then say:
It is normal to feel fear. But God can help us choose faith.
Practical Applications for Kids
1. Pray for three people.
Think of three people who need to know Jesus or need God’s help. Pray for them this week.
2. Tell someone about Jesus.
This could be as simple as saying:
“Jesus loves you.”
“God made you.”
“Would you like to come to church with me?”
3. Do one brave thing for God.
Examples:
- Tell the truth
- Apologize
- Invite someone to church
- Pray out loud
- Be kind to someone who is left out
- Stand up for what is right
4. Use your gifts for God.
If you like to sing, sing for Jesus.
If you like to draw, make a card for someone.
If you like to talk, encourage someone.
If you like to help, serve someone.
5. Remember: God is with you.
When you are afraid, say:
“God is with me. I do not have to be afraid.”
Memory Verse
Isaiah 41:10