Week 3: God's Perfect Will in Scripture

Week 3: God's Perfect Will in Scripture

Key Texts:

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Historical Context and Background

Jeremiah 29:11:

Time Period: Around 597 BC.Context: Jeremiah delivered this message to the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon. The exile was a result of their rebellion against God, and they were in a season of deep despair and uncertainty. Many false prophets were giving them hope of a quick return to Jerusalem, but Jeremiah delivers the truth that they would remain in exile for seventy years. Yet, despite this hard truth, Jeremiah 29:11 offers a word of hope: God’s perfect will for His people is for their ultimate good, even though they are experiencing a period of discipline. God's plan for them includes prosperity, peace, and restoration.

Romans 12:1-2:

Time Period: AD 57.Context: Paul wrote Romans to the Christians in Rome, addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers. He had laid out the rich theology of salvation in the preceding chapters and now shifts to practical application, explaining how Christians are to live in response to the mercy of God. Romans 12:1-2 focuses on the renewal of the mind as a means of discerning God's perfect will. Paul encourages believers to offer their lives as a “living sacrifice,” which is their proper response to God’s grace. This transformation involves rejecting the patterns of this world and being renewed in the mind, aligning with God’s plan for their lives.

Passage Analysis

Jeremiah 29:11:

Key Theme: Even in the midst of exile and discipline, God’s perfect will is ultimately for the good of His people. The Hebrew word for “hope” (tikvah) signifies a confident expectation of good things to come. God assures His people that despite their present suffering, He has a plan for their future that is rooted in His goodness and faithfulness. This plan includes welfare (peace, prosperity) and a hope for the future.

Romans 12:1-2:

Key Theme: Paul teaches that discerning God’s perfect will requires a transformed and renewed mind. The Greek word for "perfect" (teleios) in this context means complete, mature, or full-grown. By rejecting worldly influences and renewing our minds through God’s Word and prayer, we can understand what God’s will is for our lives, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Text and Analysis

Jeremiah 29:11

God’s Perfect Will for a Future and Hope (Hebrew: tikvah): The word tikvah translates to "hope," but more specifically, it conveys a confident expectation. God’s perfect will always has a future of hope, even when His people are experiencing difficulties or discipline. The exile was not a punishment without purpose—it was meant to refine and restore Israel. This promise reassured them that despite their suffering, God’s overarching plan was one of prosperity and restoration.

Practical Example: Imagine someone going through a prolonged season of unemployment or financial hardship. While it may seem like they are in a type of "exile," this verse reminds us that even in difficult seasons, God’s plan is for their ultimate good. Their current circumstances do not define their future—God’s will does.

Application: In moments when your life feels uncertain or difficult, remember that God’s perfect will is still active. Even when circumstances seem bleak, pray for the strength to trust that God has good plans for your future. You may not understand why you're going through a certain situation, but God sees the bigger picture and is working for your ultimate good.

Romans 12:1-2

"Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Greek: anakainosis): The word anakainosis means renewal or renovation. Paul is calling for a deep, internal transformation of the believer’s mind and heart. Instead of conforming to the world's patterns, believers are called to experience ongoing renewal through Scripture, prayer, and surrender. This renewal enables them to "test and approve" (discern) God’s perfect will, which is good, pleasing, and complete.

Practical Example: Consider someone trying to discern a major life decision, such as which career to pursue or whether to move to a new city. By renewing their mind in God’s Word and seeking His guidance through prayer, they align themselves with God’s perfect will. Instead of making a decision based on worldly values (like money, prestige, or comfort), they focus on what aligns with God’s purpose for their life.

Application: Regularly renew your mind through reading Scripture, praying, and surrendering your plans to God. This will help you discern His perfect will in everyday decisions. Set aside time each day to focus on aligning your thoughts with God’s Word, especially when facing important life choices.

Preaching and Teaching Points

1. God’s Good Plans (Jeremiah 29:11):

Main Idea: God’s perfect will is always for the ultimate good of His people, even when they are in difficult or challenging circumstances. His plan for them includes welfare, peace, and a hopeful future, even if it comes after a season of discipline or waiting.

Application: Encourage students to trust God’s plan, especially when they can’t see the immediate outcome. Sometimes we focus on the present struggle and forget that God sees the full picture. Challenge them to pray for patience and faith, knowing that God’s perfect will is for their ultimate good, not for harm. For instance, when facing a prolonged season of struggle—like a health challenge or a broken relationship—trust that God’s plan is to bring peace and restoration in His time.

2. Renewing the Mind (Romans 12:1-2):

Main Idea: Paul emphasizes that discerning God’s perfect will begins with the transformation of the mind. By renewing our minds through Scripture and prayer, we reject worldly values and embrace God’s values.

Application: Lead students to set aside time daily to renew their minds through God’s Word. This could mean reading a chapter of Scripture each morning, journaling about their thoughts, or spending time in focused prayer for transformation. Aligning their thoughts with God’s truth is essential to discerning His will. For example, if someone is struggling with negative thought patterns or confusion about a life decision, encourage them to spend time meditating on God’s promises and asking Him to guide their thinking.

3. Knowing God’s Will:

Main Idea: God’s perfect will is not a mystery. While it may not always be immediately clear, God reveals His will through His Word, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit. As we deepen our relationship with Him, we grow in our understanding of what pleases Him and what He desires for our lives.

Application: Reflect on how well you know God’s will for your life by evaluating how closely you are walking with Him. Are you consistently seeking His guidance, or are you relying on your own understanding? Encourage students to ask God for clearer understanding and to look for ways that His will is revealed in Scripture. For example, teach them to reflect on how God’s commands for love, service, and humility can guide their decisions, rather than waiting for a "sign" or specific direction.

4. Transformation Through Surrender (Romans 12:1-2):

Main Idea: Surrendering to God allows for a transformative process that helps us discern and live out God’s perfect will. Transformation happens as we continually submit our lives to God, rejecting worldly pressures and embracing God’s values.

Application: Encourage students to pray for a deeper level of surrender to God’s plans. This could involve specific areas where they are struggling to let go of control—such as career ambitions, relationships, or personal goals. For example, if someone has been holding onto a particular career path that seems misaligned with their spiritual calling, they can pray, "Lord, I surrender this to You. Show me how to align my work with Your perfect will, even if it means a different path than I’ve planned."

Practical Examples for Teaching

Career Path Example: Someone may be praying for a promotion at work, but God's perfect will might involve staying in their current position to develop patience or learn new skills. By renewing their mind through Scripture and surrendering their ambitions, they may realize that God’s timing is different but still perfect.

Relationship Example: A person might be praying for restoration in a difficult relationship, but God’s perfect will may involve waiting or even stepping away from the relationship to grow in spiritual maturity. Surrendering to God’s perfect will might mean trusting that God will bring healing in His own time.

Life Decisions Example: A person trying to decide between moving to a new city or staying where they are can use Romans 12:2 as a guide. By rejecting the world’s emphasis on success and wealth, and instead focusing on what will deepen their faith and serve God’s kingdom, they may discern God’s perfect will more clearly.

Reflection and Action for Students

Main Takeaways:

God’s perfect will is always for our good, even when circumstances are difficult (Jeremiah 29:11).Discerning God’s perfect will requires a transformed and renewed mind (Romans 12:2). As we renew our minds, we align our desires and decisions with God’s perfect plan for us.

Personal Reflection:

In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God’s plan? How does Jeremiah 29:11 encourage you to have hope for your future, even in challenging situations?How often do you intentionally renew your mind through Scripture and prayer? What changes can you make to ensure that your mind is aligned with God’s truth?Think about a recent decision you made. Did you seek God’s will, or did you follow worldly thinking? How can you better align future decisions with God’s perfect will?

Challenge for the Week:

Mind Renewal Exercise: Set aside 15 minutes each day to meditate on Scripture that focuses on God’s promises or will (such as Romans 12:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 29:11). Write down one area where you need to surrender more fully to God’s perfect will and ask Him to guide you in renewing your mind.

Memory Verse:

Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

By the end of this week, you will have a clearer understanding of how to discern God’s perfect will through renewing your mind and trusting His plans. Let this study deepen your trust in God’s goodness, even when life’s circumstances seem uncertain, and guide you toward a greater surrender to His will.