God Promised a New Covenant

Jeremiah 17 & 31

May 3rd, 2026

Sunday Recap

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Sunday Recap •

Hey Fams!

The prophet Jeremiah was a priest sent to speak the word of the Lord to His people. Jeremiah taught plainly about sin and how our disobedient hearts cannot be trusted. Jeremiah predicted God's judgment on Judah's sins through the nation of Babylon. Yet, Jeremiah also declared how God would make a new covenant with His people.

The people of Judah faced the same problem we face today: sin. Their failure to abide by and uphold the law was a constant reminder that they were sinful and fell short of God’s standards. Jeremiah told the people that those who put their trust in mankind are cursed because men are sinful and imperfect. He also said that people cannot save themselves. But Jeremiah shared good news. He told the people that the person who trusts in the Lord will be strong and healthy, like a tree planted by water (Jeremiah 17:8).

Through Jeremiah, the Lord spoke of His everlasting love toward His people. He shared the promise of gathering His people, watching over them, and turning their mourning into joy. God promised His people a new covenant and eternal forgiveness of sin.

The old covenant required complete obedience to the law; yet no one can be justified by the law (Galatians 2:16). In His grace, God did what we cannot do. He promised a new covenant which would be accomplished by Him. Jesus is the fulfillment of the new covenant; He fulfilled the requirements of the law on our behalf. As Paul wrote, "For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering" (Romans 8:3).

Forgiveness that lasts forever only comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:11). As you reflect on God’s promise of a new covenant, take time to thank Him for His forgiveness in your life. Remind the children in your care of how God changes believers’ hearts to hearts that love and obey Him.

** Next week: Judah was Taken Captive (2 Chronicles 36)

Family Discipleship Plan

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Family Discipleship Plan •

• Read Scripture

  Read Jeremiah 17 & 31 from the Bible.

• Talk about the Scripture

  Have you ever seen one of those TV shows where people buy an old, run-down house and make it look totally new again? It’s always fascinating to see how they can take something that everyone believed was ruined and make it into something beautiful and special. But that is nothing compared to the work God does to bring dead hearts back to life!

  The prophet Jeremiah warned the people of Judah about the consequences that would come because they were disobedient and had broken their covenant with God. But with those words of bad news, Jeremiah also shared a message of good news. He told the people about a day when God would forgive sin and change people’s hearts. Jesus made these words come true!

  God forgives our sin through His Son, Jesus. He changes us and gives us power through His Spirit to obey His commands. Jesus did not come to get rid of the law. Through His sinless life, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the old covenant. When we trust in Jesus, we are credited with His righteousness and our changed hearts enable us to want to follow in Christ’s footsteps and obey God as well.

  Like God’s people, we all have sinful hearts that do not obey God or love Him rightly. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God made a new covenant. Those who trust in Jesus have their sin forgiven and have the law written on their hearts.

  Pray: Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus to bring us a new covenant. Through His sacrifice, we can be redeemed and can live in a loving relationship with You forever. Amen.

• Practice the Key Passage

  Preschool:
  “The Lord is good to everyone.”
  Psalm 145:9

  
  1st-5th:
  ”The LORD is good to all. He shows deep concern for everything he has made.”
  Psalm 145:9 (NIRV)

• Pray

  Mornings
  Ask God to help you understand His Word—the Bible—so you can live in a way that glorifies Him. How can spending time in the Bible help you to see God’s love and provision for your life?

  Evenings
  Thank Jesus for living a life of perfect obedience and giving those who trust in Him a righteousness they could never earn on their own. Because Jesus credits us with His righteousness, we can now have the desire and ability to follow God’s commandments.

• Family Activities

  For Fun
  Plan a trip to a flea market or secondhand store. Work as a family to select an item you think you can “flip” into something new and better. It could involve putting a new coat of paint on a lamp or a completely re-purposing of an old coffee table. Over the next few weeks, work on the renovation project and discuss how Jesus gives the ultimate restoration and renovation by giving us new hearts when we believe in Him!

  To Serve
  Use multicolored construction paper to cut out large hearts. Use a hole punch to place a hole at the top-center of each heart. Work as a family to write the words or phrases of Jeremiah 31:33-34 on the hearts. Weave string or yarn through the holes in each heart to make a pennant string flag. Make several sets and gift the pennant string to neighbors or church members.