Praise Jesus!

Jeremiah Complains About the Difficulty of His Task Lesson 6

Bible Point Even when we fail, we

should keep trying.
Bible Verse
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Growing Closer to Jesus

Students will n identify jobs God wants them to do,
n discover how doing Gods work can motivate them to keep trying, and
n ask God to help them move past specific failures.

Teacher Enrichment
Bible Basis
n Jeremiah complains about the difficulty of his task.
Jeremiah received his call to be a prophet at a young age, when he had no experience or
Jeremiah confidence as a public speaker (Jeremiah 1:6). God told the fledgling prophet that his work
20:7-13 would be difficultterrifying at times. But God added an important promise: Whatever
happened, as long as Jeremiah remained faithful to his calling, God would make him strong for
the task and ultimately deliver him from his enemies (1:8, 17-19).
As Jeremiah watched the destruction and captivity of Judah looming ever closer, he began
to lament it deeply. He felt personally crushed because he knew that despite his preaching his nation would soon be
crushed by the Babylonians (8:229:1).
Todays passage reflects a particularly low point in Jeremiahs ministry. A Temple official had heard Jeremiah
preaching. Rather than heeding the warnings, he had Jeremiah beaten and incarcerated at the Temple. The apparent
ineffectiveness of his message and the hardship he endured because of it led Jeremiah to want to quit speaking
altogether (20:7-8). But God had placed the message in him in such a way that he literally could not hold it in
(20:9).
It was in this very dark hour that Jeremiah remembered the promises God had given him at his call to be a
prophet. Although the battle was difficult, God was ultimately fighting his battles for him, a great warrior at his side
(20:11).
Other Scriptures used in this lesson are Jeremiah 20:1-2; 36:20-28, 32; and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Prayer
Read Matthew 28:20.
Whenever the going gets tough in the Christian life, and in Christian service in particular, it is vital to remember
the Lords promises. Why do you think Jesus mentioned his promise to be with us until the end of the age?
Do you ever feel frustrated or discouraged when teaching this age group? How might Jeremiahs prayer and Jesus
promise help you in such times?
Pray: Lord, so often I get discouraged when I dont see my teaching bring the results I think I should see. Help me
to take courage in you, to rely on your strength to persevere, and to trust you for the outcome.

Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4 73

 Lesson 6

Before the Lesson

n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab
Supplies listed on the chart.
n Make photocopies of the Hands-On Fun at Home handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your
children.
n Pray for your students and for Gods direction as you teach the lesson.

This Lesson at a Glance

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies
Attention Going and Going and
Grabber GoingMake up and act out
commercials for products that
dont give up.

Bible House of CardsConstruct Bibles, index cards, transparent

Exploration & buildings and see them destroyed, tape, paper clips, CD player
Application read Jeremiah 20:1-2, 7-13; 36:20-
28, 32, discuss not giving up, and
learn the Bible verse.

Power PoppingTry to contain Bibles, masking tape, paper,

popping eyeballs, read Jeremiah pencils
20:8-9, and discover that no one
can hold down Gods work.

Running to WinRace Bibles, CD player

by crawling backward, read
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and discuss
what makes them go the wrong
way in real life.

A Tough ChallengeTry Ballpoint pen, paper, CD player

an almost impossible task, and
remember that God helped
people in the Bible and will help
them.

Closing Winning the CrownRead Bible

1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and
encourage one another not to
give up.

74 Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4

 Jeremiah Complains About the Difficulty of His Task

Welcome
As kids arrive, ask them how they applied last weeks lesson to
their lives. Ask questions such as How did you stand up for God?
and Did you notice others standing up for God?
Tell kids that whenever you sound the giggle hammer, they are Repeating the Bible Point over
to stop talking and focus their attention on you. Explain that its and over will help the children
important to respond to this signal quickly so the class can do as remember it and apply it to their
many fun activities as possible. lives. Help children learn one point
that will stay with them for days
and even years to come.

Attention Grabber
n Going and Going and Going
SUPPLIES: none
Have kids form groups of four. Give each foursome a foam flower.
Say: Most of you have probably seen the commercials As you teach third- and
with the bunny that keeps on going and going and going. fourth-graders, keep in mind
These commercials show the toy bunny facing all sorts of these aspects of their spiritual
situations but the bunnys batteries keep him going and development:
going and going. They are able to accept that there
In your group, take a few minutes to make up your own commercial are some things about God we
using the slogan, It keeps going and going and going Use the foam dont understand.
flower as the battery, and find other props in the room that will make They are ready to relate individual
your commercial special. Bible events to the scope of Bible
history.
After four minutes let the groups perform their commercials for each other. Collect
the foam flowers for use in future lessons. They recognize the difference
between right and wrong and are
Ask: Why do you suppose that slogan is successful for the battery
able to make deliberate choices
company? (People want a battery that keeps working no matter what; people like the
about actions.
funny ads; people are impressed that the batteries last so long.)
If I described a person as someone who keeps going and going and
going, what do you think that person would be like? (Tough; somebody who
never gives up; someone with a lot of energy.)
Say: God wants us to be the kind of people who keep going and going and
going. Even when we fail, we should keep trying. Lets learn about a man
who kept going even when things got tough.

Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4 75

 Lesson 6
Be prepared to help readers with
difficult Bible names so kids wont
be distracted or embarrassed
during the story.
Look for teachable moments!
An activity that seems to be a
flop may provide a wonderful
opportunity for learning if you
ask questions such as, Why didnt
this work out? Be sensitive to
your kids, and concern yourself
more with their growth and faith
development than getting through
the stuff you have planned.
76 Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4
Bible Exploration & Application
n House of Cards
SUPPLIES: Bibles, transparent tape, paper clips, index cards, CD player
Have kids form pairs. Set out enough transparent tape and paper
track 12
clips so pairs can share. Then give each pair a stack of index cards.
Say: You have three minutes to construct the best
possible building with these cards. Start now.
After pairs work for several minutes, say: OK, now were changing our
construction zone into a destruction zone. Choose any paper building in the
room, and destroy it.
If kids protest, simply repeat the instructions. Make sure all the buildings get
destroyed. Leave the ruins lying around the room while pairs discuss the following
questions:
What was it like to see your hard work destroyed? (Frustrating; it made me
mad; I didnt mind, because I got to wreck someone elses building.)
How would this experience have been different if others had destroyed
something really important to you? (I would have been really upset; I would have
been madder; I might have cried.)
Say: Jeremiah was a prophet of God. God often told Jeremiah what to say
to the people. It wasnt easy when Jeremiah had to tell people bad news
that they didnt want to hear! Jeremiah was telling the people of Judah that
they were being unfaithful to God and that God was going to punish them.
Listen while I read to you what happened.
Distribute Bibles, and read Jeremiah 20:1-2 aloud while kids follow along.
Ask: How do you think Jeremiah felt after that? (In pain; miserable; sad; like
being quiet.)
Say: Lets find out how Jeremiah responded. Well start with Jeremiah
20:7 and read through verse 13. Id like the boys to read the odd-numbered
verses aloud and the girls to read the even ones aloud.
When kids have finished, ask:
How did Jeremiah react to the cruel treatment? (He felt bad, but still
wanted to serve God; he was frustrated, but he loved God.)
How was Jeremiahs reaction similar to yours when your building was
destroyed? (I wanted to build another one, just like he wanted to keep talking about
God; I was frustrated, too; I felt tricked, too.)
Say: Jeremiah met a lot of people who didnt want to hear what God had to
say. God told Jeremiah to write down all of the bad things that would happen
to the people of Judah if they continued to sin. So Jeremiah wrote all of Gods
words on a long scroll and sent it to the king. Lets turn to Jeremiah 36:20 to
see how the king reacted. Ill need two readers to read this story.
Choose a boy to read Jeremiah 36:20-24, and a girl to read Jeremiah 36:25-28, 32.
Have pairs discuss the following questions and take turns reporting their responses
to the whole group.
Ask: How was Jeremiahs experience with the scroll like your experience
with your building? (He saw his work destroyed, too; he must have felt even more
upset than I did.)
 Jeremiah Complains About the Difficulty of His Task

If you had been Jeremiah, how would you have reacted when God told
you to start all over and write a new scroll? (I wouldnt have wanted to do all
that work again; I would have figured it was no usethe king could burn the new
scroll, too; I would have done it because God wanted me to.)
Why do you suppose God told Jeremiah not to give up? (God wanted
people to hear his warning and stop doing what was wrong; God wanted Jeremiah to
pay more attention to what God wanted than to what the king wanted; God had a
plan, and he wanted to use Jeremiah in his plan.)
Say: Think about the jobs God might have in mind for you that he wouldnt
want you to give up on. When youve thought of a job, pick up a few pieces
of our destroyed buildings. As you drop the cards into the wastebasket,
tell one way to follow God that you wont give up on. Kids answers may include
praying for hungry people around the world even though they dont see any results,
telling a friend about Jesus even though he or she doesnt seem to listen, or refusing to
cheat even though they could get better grades.
When all the cards have been cleaned up, say: Jeremiah gives us a good
example of how even when we fail, we should keep trying. Its not always
easy to keep trying when things get tough, but dont worryI have good
news. Well, actually, God has good news. Ill show you what I mean.

Have a volunteer read aloud Philippians 4:13: For I can

do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Have kids repeat the verse with you until they can say it alone.
Ask: According to this verse, who gives us
strength? (Jesus.)
When is it hard for you to keep trying and you
need Jesus strength? (At school; when people are mean to
me; when Im upset.)
How can this verse help the next time you face one of those
times? (I can remember Jesus is with me; Ill know where to turn; I can ask
Jesus for help.)
Say: This verse is great because it reminds us that we never go
through tough times alone. Jesus is always with us and always ready
to help us. Lets learn a new song to help us remember this verse!
Play I Can Do Everything Through Christ (Philippians 4:13) (track 12) on
the CD. Then play it again, and have kids sing along. (Lyrics are at the back of
this book.)
Say: Thanks for that singing. Now lets get back to Jeremiah!

HANDSON BIBLE
Have kids open their Hands-On Bibles to the Object Lessons
activity found on page 742. Have kids form pairs, and give each pair a
sheet of paper and a pencil. Encourage partners to come up with as
many ideas as possible about how they could use everyday objects to
tell others about God. Encourage partners to list their ideas on the paper, and then
invite every pair to share its ideas with the rest of the class.

Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4 77

 Lesson 6
To make the eyeballs pop, have
kids turn the eyeballs inside
out, press the flat ends onto the
smooth surface, and then let go.
If kids have trouble getting the
eyeballs to pop, try moistening
the flat ends. You may want kids
to practice popping the eyeballs
before this activity.
Bible Insight
The popular theological
belief during Jeremiahs time
was that God protected
Jerusalem simply because
it held the chosen Temple
and was home to the chosen
people. Jeremiah, however,
insisted that this protection
was subject to how much
the people were faithful to
their covenant with God.
78 Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4
n Power Popping
SUPPLIES: Bibles, masking tape, paper, pencils
Form trios. Set out masking tape. Give each trio a foam
flower and a popping eyeball.
Say: Imagine that these popping eyeballs are
kernels of popcorn. Use the masking tape to mark an
outline on the table that will be your popcorn pan.
The area can be any shape, as long as its no bigger
than your hand.
Once trios have marked an outline with masking tape, say: Now have one
person in your trio hold the foam flower over the popcorn pan. He or
she must hold the flower by one of its petals. Another member of your
trio will set the eyeball in the pan and make it pop. The third member of
your trio will be the scorekeeper. Youll earn a point each time the foam
flower keeps the popping eyeball inside its pan. When I sound the giggle
hammer, start popping!
After a minute, sound the giggle hammer, and have kids stop popping the eyeballs.
Reward the trio with the most points by giving them a standing ovation. If no one was
able to keep the eyeball inside its pan, give a round of applause for everyones effort.
Collect the popping eyeballs and foam flowers for use in later lessons.
Have each trio select a Reader to read the following Scripture, a Recorder to record
the answers, and a Reporter to share the groups responses with the rest of the class.
Give each Recorder paper and pencil.
Say: Your popping eyeballs just couldnt be kept down! Lets take a look
at Jeremiah 20:8-9 to see how Jeremiah couldnt be kept down, either.
Have the readers read Jeremiah 20:8-9 aloud.
Ask: What made it challenging to keep your popping eyeballs in the
pan? (They popped higher and harder than I expected; the foam flower wasnt a strong
enough lid.)
How was Jeremiahs message like these popping eyeballs? (He couldnt
keep it in; it forced its way out; he got tired of trying to hold it in.)
Based on these verses, how do you think Jeremiah felt about his job of
bringing Gods message to the people? Explain. (He didnt always like it because
people insulted him for it; he wished he could forget it; he decided it was better to tell
the message than to try to keep it in.)
What made Jeremiah keep trying? (He knew his job was worth doing; he
knew God could help him get it done; Jeremiah knew God was more important than
the people who gave him a hard time.)
How do these verses encourage you to keep trying to do whats right? (I
know that God will help me; I know that God wants me to do whats right; I know that
doing what God wants is more important than anything else.)
Say: Things around us may try to keep us down. But with Gods help, we
can be just like those popping eyeballs! Even when we fail, we should
keep trying. Lets look at some things that might trip us up this week as we
keep on trying to follow God.
 Jeremiah Complains About the Difficulty of His Task

n Running to Win
SUPPLIES: Bibles, CD player
track 13
Before class, cue the CD to Racing Music (track 13).
Have kids form two teams and line up at one end of the room.
Place the flying flipper at the opposite end of the room. Say: When
I give the signal with the giggle hammer, the first person
on each team will crawl to the flying flipper. Whoever
gets there first and puts the flipper on his or her head
scores one point for the team. Then theyll both take tiny
steps back and tag the next person in their lines. Then
the second person on each team will race, and so on. To make this a little
more challenging, youll have to crawl backward.
Use the giggle hammer to signal the start of the races. Encourage kids to crawl
backward quickly, and have teams cheer on their teammates. Play Racing Music on
the CD to set a fun mood.
When everyone has had a chance to race, collect the flying flipper and CD for use
later in the lesson. Instruct the team with the fewest points to applaud the other team.
Distribute Bibles, and have each team form a circle. Instruct kids to number off within
their groups and to remember their numbers. Explain that youll give kids a few seconds
to discuss your questions. Then youll call out a number. Students with that number
will share their groups responses.
Ask: What was it like to race by crawling backward? (Hard; I went the
wrong way; it slowed me down.)
Say: The author of 1 Corinthians tells about a race thats sort of like the
one we just did! Choose a volunteer in your group to read 1 Corinthians
9:24-27 aloud while the rest of you follow along. When kids have finished
reading, continue asking questions and calling out numbers so kids can answer.
Ask: How do these verses describe our race? (Only one person could win
each time; the flipper was like a crown.)
How is living like running a race? (Sometimes I get tired; I cant give up; weve
got to be in shape to survive.)
What are some goals God wants you to reach for? (Becoming more like
Jesus; obeying my parents; loving others.)
How can these verses encourage you to run to win as you follow God
in your life? (I know I have a goal; God promises me a prize.)
Crawling made it harder to finish this race. What could make it hard to
follow and obey God in everyday life? (If my parents ask me to do a certain chore,
I might not feel like obeying because I hate that job; sometimes I plan to pray at night,
but I fall asleep instead.)
Say: Take turns within your circle to say a simple prayer for the person
on your left. In one sentence, pray that God will keep that person from
going the wrong way this week.
When everyone has prayed, say: Its easy to go the wrong way in life. But
even when we fail, we should keep trying. Lets encourage each other to
do that this week.

Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4 79

 Lesson 6

n A Tough Challenge
SUPPLIES: ballpoint pen, paper, CD player
Youll need a ballpoint pen, the jumbo glitter popper
track 11
hopper, and a sheet of paper.
Say: Ive got a challenge for you. Take this
ballpoint pen, press the point through the hole in
the jumbo glitter popper hopper, and write or draw
something on the sheet of paper.
Have everyone give it a try. Its nearly impossible to draw anything other than a
scribble.
Ask: What made this task so hard? (It was hard to press the pen through the
hole; I couldnt control it; the hole was too small.)
Why should we keep on trying when things get hard? (Because its good
for us; because it helps us learn to be tough; it helps us succeed.)
How do you feel when you manage to stick to a hard task? (Frustrated;
powerful; happy.)
Say: Think of all the Bible stories you know.
Ask: Which people in those Bible stories had to keep going when things
seemed really hard? (David when he faced Goliath; Noah during the flood; Job
when he lost everything; Jesus on the cross.)
What can you learn from these examples? (That God takes care of his
people; that God will help in tough situations; that God will help us be tough.)
Say: The Bible is full of stories about people who faced tough situations.
But without exception, all the people who served and followed God could
count on him to help them when they faced tough times. We can learn from
these people. We can learn that even when we fail, we should keep trying.
Lets sing The Books of the Bible Song with the CD to remind us of all
the people God has helped in the past. It can remind us that God will help
us, too!
Lead kids in singing The Books of the Bible Song (track 11) with the CD. (Lyrics
are at the back of this book.)
Put away the Learning Lab items for use in later lessons.

80 Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4

 Jeremiah Complains About the Difficulty of His Task

Closing
n Winning the Crown
SUPPLIES: Bible
Have kids form a line at one end of the room. Place the flying
flipper at the other end of the room. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
aloud, and then say: Now well get a little practice running to
win a crown. When I say, Run to win! the first person in
line will run to the flying flipper, put it on his or her head
so its like a crown, and say, Im running to win. Then that person will
take the crown off, run back, tag the next person, and say, Run to win!
Continue until everyone has had a chance to run to the crown. Ready? Run
to win!
When everyone has been encouraged to run to win, say: Even when we fail,
we should keep trying. Thats what makes us real winners!
Retrieve the flying flipper for use in later lessons.

Growing closer to Jesus extends

beyond the classroom.
Photocopy the Hands-On Fun at Home handout (at
the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home
with your kids. Encourage kids and parents to use the
handout to spark meaningful discussion on this weeks
topic.

Hands-On Bible CurriculumGrades 3 & 4 81

 LESSON 6

Even when we fail, we should keep trying.

For I can do everything through Christ,

who gives me strength (Philippians
4:13). Read Matthew 15:21-28.
Why wouldnt the woman
Create a magnet that will help you remember in this story give up? What
to stick to the toughest tasks. Cut off a square of does not giving up have to
magnetic tape (available at most craft or fabric do with faith?
stores), and glue a stack of self-adhesive notes on it. When the glue Read Mark 2:1-12.
dries thoroughly, put your magnet on the refrigerator. Use the notes to Can you think of a time
encourage others to stick with it! when a friend refused to
give up on you? Who needs
your help? What obstacles
must you overcome to help
that person?

Read Luke 11:5-12.

Cut this coupon and give it to your mom
How do you feel when your
or dad. Ask your mom or dad to fill out the
prayers arent answered
coupon and give it to you when you stick with a difficult task.
right away? What are some
things you shouldnt give up
Date ____________ praying about?
Way to stick with it!

Im proud of you for __________________________

_____________________________________!

Love,
______________________

Permission to photocopy this handout from Groups Hands-On Bible Curriculum Grades 3 & 4 granted for local church use.
82 Copyright Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com