Jeremiah 29: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 29 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Jeremiah sends a letter from Jerusalem to the exiles taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (vv. 1-2). He advises them to build houses, plant gardens, and multiply families in their new city (vv.

Key verse

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 29:1–2 Introduction to Jeremiah's Letter
Jeremiah 29:3–7 Instructions for Exiles
Jeremiah 29:8–14 Warning Against False Prophets
Jeremiah 29:15–19 Judgment on Remaining Jerusalemites
Jeremiah 29:20–23 Specific Prophecies Against False Prophets
Jeremiah 29:24–29 Message to Shemaiah the Nehelamite
Jeremiah 29:30–32 Conclusion on Shemaiah's Fate

Discussion questions

In v5, what does Yahweh instruct the captives to do regarding 'houses'?
What does Yahweh say about 'seventy years' in v10?
In vv. 8-9, why does Yahweh warn against the 'prophets' and 'dreams' in Babylon?
In v15, how does the statement about 'prophets in Babylon' relate to the captives' expectations?
When have you felt the need to seek the 'peace' of a difficult situation like the captives in v7?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 29: Isaiah 55, Psalm 33, Micah 4.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 30.