Jeremiah 31: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 31 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh promises to be the God of all the families of Israel, declaring they will be His people (vv. 1-2). He expresses His everlasting love and plans to restore Israel, assuring joy and celebration as they return (vv.

Key verse

“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Jeremiah 31:33 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 31:1–2 Promise of Restoration
Jeremiah 31:3–6 Everlasting Love and Joy
Jeremiah 31:7–14 Gathering the Remnant
Jeremiah 31:15–17 Rachel’s Lament and Comfort
Jeremiah 31:18–22 Turning Back to God
Jeremiah 31:23–30 A New Covenant Promised
Jeremiah 31:31–40 Future Hope for Israel

Discussion questions

In v1, who declares that He will be the God of all the families of Israel?
What do the people in v8 have in common when they return to Israel?
The term 'everlasting love' in v3: how does this shape our understanding of God's relationship with Israel?
The phrase 'a new covenant' in v31: how does this differ from the previous covenant mentioned in v32?
When have you experienced a time of mourning, similar to Rachel's weeping in v15?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 31: Hebrews 8, Isaiah 43, Jeremiah 30.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 32.