Young Resources - Being Prepared to Be a Prophet

Being Prepared to Be a Prophet

The story of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1-19) shows the preparation of a young person God is calling to prophesy.

1

What God Did

		Recognised him - In speaking about Jeremiah's earliest days in the womb, God said "Before I formed you, I knew you." The word ‘formed' is the same as that used of a potter with clay.
		Set him apart - God chose him as special, treated him as a precious individual while yet unborn.
		Gave him to be a prophet - Before he was born, God set him on a course to be a prophet to the nations.
		Called him - The word of the Lord came to him, informing him of God's intentions.
		Anointed him - God touched him with Holy Spirit power.
		Gifted him - God said, "I have put my words in your mouth."
		Appointed him - God set him, numbered him and authorised him to be "over the nations" - not subject to them.
		Initiated him - The word of the Lord came, "What do you see?" This was the beginning of Jeremiah receiving pictures, words and feelings.

2

What Jeremiah Did

		He turned from saying, "I cannot speak, I am only a child."
		He trusted what he was hearing from God and began to follow God's instructions.
		He took in Holy Spirit anointing and gifts. He was touched and he received words.
		He told out what he had received. God asked him, "What do you see?" and he described it.

3		What Jeremiah Experienced
		Pictures - Firstly, the branch of an almond tree (Jeremiah 1:11), and then a boiling pot (1:13).
		Words - Jeremiah was told to "Go cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying this is what the Lord says" (2:1) and "hear the word of the Lord" (2:4).
		Feelings - When God spoke to him Jeremiah sometimes experienced strong feelings. He said "his word is like a fire in my heart" (20:8) and "my heart is broken, all my bones tremble, I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine because of the Lord and his holy words" (23:9).
		Object Lessons - God took Jeremiah to see a potter at work and taught him a lesson from what he saw happening (18:1-6).
		Prophetic Actions - God gave Jeremiah special things to do which when shared became a message from God. One example was the linen belt which was hidden by Jeremiah and was spoiled (13:1-11).

Written by Graeme C. Young. If using this material, please acknowledge author and source (www.youngresources.co.uk).

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