Single lesson
Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot
Jeremiah 18:18–23
Jeremiah 18:18–23 records a hard prayer from someone under threat. The passage shows hostile speech, Jeremiah’s appeal to Yahweh, and his severe requests for judgement against those plotting harm.
Before you teach
In these verses, opponents speak together about Jeremiah. They say the law will not perish from the priest, counsel from the wise, or the word from the prophet, so they plan to attack Jeremiah with their speech and refuse his words. Jeremiah then turns to Yahweh in prayer.
Explain the central teaching of Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot, using two details from the reading. This passage shows Jeremiah bringing both danger and outrage to Yahweh in prayer, including complaint and requests for judgement.
Welcome: Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot
5 minIntroduce “Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot” and locate Jeremiah 18:18–23. This passage shows Jeremiah bringing both danger and outrage to Yahweh in prayer, including complaint and requests for judgement. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Jeremiah 18:18, Jeremiah 18:21, Jeremiah 18:23
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage opens with opponents planning together. They say law, counsel, and word will still continue from other recognised sources, so they decide not to heed Jeremiah. Instead, they want to “strike him with the tongue”, showing that speech can be used as a weapon against him.
Jeremiah asks whether evil should be repaid for good. He says his enemies have dug a pit for his soul, yet he remembers standing before Yahweh to speak good for them and to turn away wrath from them. The contrast sharpens his complaint.
Jeremiah’s prayer then asks for severe judgement: famine, sword, widowhood, battle, cries from houses, and overthrow before Yahweh. The passage is not narrating that these things happened here. It records Jeremiah’s own requests in prayer while he says Yahweh knows their counsel against him to kill him.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Jeremiah 18:18, Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah 18:21, Jeremiah 18:22, Jeremiah 18:23
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What reasons do Jeremiah’s opponents give for ignoring him, and what do they plan to do instead?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage shows Jeremiah bringing both danger and outrage to Yahweh in prayer, including complaint and requests for judgement. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Jeremiah 18:18, Jeremiah 18:19, Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah 18:23
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
12 minWork on “Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Jeremiah 18:18, Jeremiah 18:21, Jeremiah 18:23
Closing: return to Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot
3 minRevisit Jeremiah 18:18–23. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Jeremiah 18:18, Jeremiah 18:21, Jeremiah 18:23
Questions to explore
What reasons do Jeremiah’s opponents give for ignoring him, and what do they plan to do instead?
Notice the three continuing sources they name, then the phrases about not giving heed and striking him “with the tongue”.
Jeremiah 18:18
What are the two parts of Jeremiah’s appeal in verse 19?
Read carefully for both requests: one about Yahweh giving heed to Jeremiah, and one about listening to the voice of those contending with him.
Jeremiah 18:19
How does Jeremiah describe the difference between his actions and theirs?
Compare their pit and counsel against him with his standing before Yahweh to speak good for them.
Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah 18:23
Make, think or respond
Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Jeremiah 18:18–23. Use “Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Jeremiah 18: Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Jeremiah 18:18–23. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Jeremiah 18:18–23. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Jeremiah 18
18 Then they said, “Come! Let’s devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law won’t perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let’s strike him with the tongue, and let’s not give heed to any of his words.”
19 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20 Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.
21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widows. Let their men be killed and their young men struck by the sword in battle.
22 Let a cry be heard from their houses when you bring a troop suddenly on them; for they have dug a pit to take me and hidden snares for my feet.
23 Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me. Don’t forgive their iniquity. Don’t blot out their sin from your sight, Let them be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.