Desiring God First
Notes
Transcript
Scripture:
Scripture:
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.
References:
References:
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I am about to hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people provoked me to anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods. “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made, declares the Lord. From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight. The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem. They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. They set up their abominable idols in the house that bears my Name and defiled it. They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech, though I never commanded, nor did it enter my mind, that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin. “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be handed over to the king of Babylon’; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
Background Research:
Background Research:
Theme:
Theme:
Object Lesson:
Object Lesson:
A C O N S U M I N G F I R E
MESSA GE
The following are some possible object lessons for this week use what works best for you.
Object Lesson:
The Broken Promise Chain
SUPPLIES: Bible, strips of paper, markers, stapler
SAY: We’re going to build a “promise chain” together. I need your help. What are some promises that people make but often break?
As kids give answers, write each one on a paper strip. Have them staple their strip in a loop to form a paper chain. Once the chain is long, invite two kids to gently pull it apart.
SAY: What do you think? Was that chain strong? Why did it break so easily?
(Let kids respond.)
The chain broke because it is weak, like we are weak when it comes to ALWAYS keeping our promises.
We sometimes fail, even when we don’t mean to. Remember, the Bible says in Romans 3:23 (NIV), “For
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
We want to keep our promises, but sometimes things get in the way.
But here’s the good news: God is not like us! He is perfect, and he never, ever breaks a promise.
Illustration: The Righ t Tool for the Job
SUPPLIES: Hammer, loaf of bread, nail, 1 piece of wood
SAY: I need a helper. I have a piece of wood with a nail already started. What should we use to hammer the nail in? Let kids answer: “A hammer.”
But what if I gave you this loaf of bread instead? Hand the child the bread. Let them try to hit the nail with the bread. After a moment, let everyone react.
SAY: Why didn’t that work? Let kids respond. Right—bread isn’t strong enough. It’s too soft. Bread isn’t supposed to be hard like a hammer.
Now let’s try the hammer. Let the child use the hammer.
That worked! Because a hammer is made for this job.
SAY: Just like bread can’t be a hammer, God can’t break his promises—it’s not in his nature.
The Bible says in Numbers 23:19 (NIrV): God isn’t a mere human. He can’t lie. He isn’t a human being. He doesn’t change his mind. He speaks, and then he acts. He makes a promise, and then he keeps it.
God doesn’t forget. He doesn’t get distracted. He doesn’t change his mind. He keeps every promise, every time.
CHILDREN’S TEACHING OUTLINES | WEEK 3 | PAGE 37 Copyright © 2026 The Foundry Publishing®. Permission to reprint for ministry use only. All rights reserved.
Songs:
Songs:
Message Starter:
So when God says:
1. He will always be with you
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
2. He loves you no matter what
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
3. He has a plan for your life.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
4. He forgives you when you ask
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
5. He gives us eternal life through Jesus
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You can believe it. You can count on him every time.
We might mess up. We might break promises. But God never does. When he says something, it’s forever.
So, the next time you feel let down or unsure, remember: God is always faithful. He always keeps his promises. You can trust him—100% of the time!
CHILDREN’S TEACHING OUTLINES | WEEK 3 | PAGE 37 Copyright © 2026 The Foundry Publishing®. Permission to reprint for ministry use only. All rights reserved.
Outline:
Outline:
God's Unbreakable Promise
God's Unbreakable Promise
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 32:40
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 32:40
Summary: In Jeremiah 32:40, God expresses His commitment to make a covenant with His people, assuring them of His everlasting love and faithfulness. This verse underscores the notion of renewal and hope, emphasizing that God will never abandon us.
Application:
God always keeps His promises, and they can trust Him in every situation.
God loves them no matter what, which can help them find courage and peace when facing challenges or fears.
Teaching:
About the nature of God's promises,
God’s constant presence in their lives,
The importance of having faith.
His promises are trustworthy.
How this passage could point to Christ:
God's promise in this passage foreshadows the ultimate covenant fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who brings restoration and reconciliation to all who believe.
Christ's sacrifice assures us that God's love and promises are eternally secure.
Big Idea: Children can find strength and assurance in the unbreakable promises of God, knowing that He is always with them and keeps His word.
Recommended Study:
...consider exploring the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies
..Look into the nature of covenants in the Old Testament and how they connect to New Testament themes.
...examine different translations of Jeremiah 32:40 to grasp nuances in language that convey depth to God's promises.
1. God's Everlasting Covenant
1. God's Everlasting Covenant
Jeremiah 32:40
Perhaps you could illustrate how God makes promises He never breaks, much like a strong and sturdy rope that holds us safely. You can suggest that God's new and everlasting covenant is compared to a friendship bracelet that He never takes off, signifying His love and faithfulness towards us. Children could be encouraged to always remember this promise as God assures us of His constant presence and unfailing love. With Jesus, God's promise becomes even clearer, as He never leaves us and continues to guide us.
MAKE AS MANY COPIES OF THIS PAGE AS NEEDED.
CUT OUT THE STRIPS AND PUT EACH ONE IN AN INFLATED BALLOON. You could have the kids to pop them and read a promise. Or have them to draw a promise from a box our hat and have them to read them and discuss as many as you have time to talk about…
God loves you no matter what. Romans 8:38-39
God gives peace. Philippians 4:7
God is with you. Isaiah 41:10
God gives us strength. Philippians 4:13
God promises to give comfort to those who are hurting. Isaiah 66:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God will provide for you. Matthew 6:31-33
God is faithful and fair. 1 John 1:9
God will guide you. Psalm 23:3
God is patient. 2 Peter 3:9
God is faithful. Psalm 145:13
God can be trusted. Hebrews 10:23
God is kind and loving. Deuteronomy 4:31
God will always be with you. Hebrews 13:5
God is always with you. Deuteronomy 31:6
God forgives. 1 John 1:9
God will never leave you. Deuteronomy 31:8
God promises to teach and guide you. Psalm 32:8
God promises to give us rest. Matthew 11:28
God will give us eternal life through Jesus. John 3:16
God gives peace. Isaiah 26:3
God will keep his promises. Numbers 23:19; Psalm 105:9
God keeps his promises.2 Corinthians 1:20-22; Hebrews 6:18
God sent the Holy Spirit to help us. Acts 2:33, 38-39
God promises eternal life to those who love him. James 1:12
God forgives you when you ask. 1 John 1:9
God loves you no matter what. Jeremiah 31:3
WEEK 3 | Promise Pop Handout
Copyright © 2026 The Foundry Publishing®. Permission to reprint for ministry use only. All rights reserved.
