GOD TRANSFORMS US FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 

SCRIPTURE | Jeremiah 17:5-8; 31:31-34 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

In the old covenant, God’s wrote His law on tablets of stone and on scrolls. It was external. But God desired for His Word to be embedded deeply in our hearts. When God announced a new covenant, He wasn’t throwing out the law. He was planting it closer to us—within us. Not only does the Holy Spirit live within us, but He speaks truth to us, helping us discern God’s will through discerning His Word. 

KEY QUESTION 

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT LOOKS LIKE FOR GOD’S WORD TO BE WRITTEN ON YOUR HEART? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Some of your students may long desperately for a fresh start in their walk with the Lord. They may have messed up and disappointed people they love. They may feel like they’ve failed and are beyond repair. Like Israel, some of your students may have failed to keep their word; they fell into sin; they fall into idolatry; they wandered away and sought worldly pleasures. Students need to know that God’s mercy is new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23). When they repent of their sin, God forgives them. He writes His Word on their heart so that they can change and grow. But students will struggle to be changed by the Word if they don’t commit to knowing it. Encourage students to get into God’s Word, seek Him in prayer, and deepen their relationship with Him. God loves them and is willing to give them a fresh start when they return to Him with a repentant heart. 

APPLICATION 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN HEART CHANGE AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE? WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE REVEAL ABOUT WHAT GOD WANTS FOR US? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Even if they’ve failed before on their own, students can change! God changes them from the inside out. Behavior modification is only a sign of the transformation that has taken place in our students’ hearts—not the other way around. 

FOR THE LEADER: We’ve often trusted in what is tangible instead of depending on the Lord. We need God’s help to root ourselves in His Word so that we can thrive and produce fruit.