Single lesson
Jeremiah Stays with the Survivors
Jeremiah 39:11–40:6
This lesson helps children follow what happens to Jeremiah in these verses. They will put the account in order, notice the choices and outcomes, and see where Jeremiah finally goes to live.
Before you teach
In this passage, the king of Babylon gives orders to care for Jeremiah, and Babylon’s officers bring him out and place him with Gedaliah. The passage also includes Yahweh’s message to Ebedmelech. Later, Jeremiah is released from chains, offered a choice about where to go, and goes to Gedaliah among the people left in the land.
Students will be able to retell the sequence of Jeremiah 39:11–40:6, identify the choices and outcomes in the passage, and state that Jeremiah went to Gedaliah and lived among the people left in the land.
Welcome: Follow this passage in order
4 minTell students they will follow this Bible account in order. Introduce three key people named here: Jeremiah, Ebedmelech and Gedaliah. Explain that the passage includes commands, rescue, a message from Yahweh, and a choice about where Jeremiah will live. Ask children to listen for what happens first, next and last.
Jeremiah 39:12, Jeremiah 39:16, Jeremiah 40:4, Jeremiah 40:6
Read and explain: Jeremiah is protected
7 minRead Jeremiah 39:11-14. Point out that Nebuchadnezzar commands care for Jeremiah and says, 'Do him no harm'. Then Babylon’s officers bring Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and commit him to Gedaliah. Notice the result at the end of verse 14: Jeremiah lived among the people. Explain that Gedaliah is the person Jeremiah is given to in this passage.
Jeremiah 39:11, Jeremiah 39:12, Jeremiah 39:14
Discuss: Yahweh speaks to Ebedmelech
6 minRead Jeremiah 39:15-18. Explain that while Jeremiah was still shut up, Yahweh gave him a message for Ebedmelech the Ethiopian. The city would face what Yahweh had said, yet Ebedmelech would be delivered and would escape with his life. Show the reason given in the text: 'because you have put your trust in me'. Help students see both judgement and rescue in these verses.
Jeremiah 39:15, Jeremiah 39:16, Jeremiah 39:17, Jeremiah 39:18
Make and respond: Sequence the choices
8 minRead Jeremiah 40:1-6. Explain that Jeremiah is found among captives in chains, then released. The captain of the guard offers Jeremiah a choice: come to Babylon, or stay in the land and go where it seems good and right. The captain also suggests Gedaliah. Remind students that the message for Ebedmelech in 39:15-18 comes before this release section in the passage order.
Jeremiah 39:15, Jeremiah 39:18, Jeremiah 40:1, Jeremiah 40:4, Jeremiah 40:5, Jeremiah 40:6
Closing: What does this passage teach?
5 minReview the order briefly: the king commands care, Jeremiah is brought out, Yahweh’s message comes for Ebedmelech, Jeremiah is released, Jeremiah chooses to go to Gedaliah, and he lives among the people left in the land. Invite students to say one thing this passage shows about God’s word and one thing it shows about Jeremiah’s choice.
Jeremiah 39:12, Jeremiah 39:18, Jeremiah 40:4, Jeremiah 40:6
Questions to explore
What did Nebuchadnezzar command should happen to Jeremiah?
Look for the king’s direct words about Jeremiah and the phrase 'Do him no harm'.
Jeremiah 39:11, Jeremiah 39:12
Why does Yahweh say Ebedmelech will escape with his life?
Read the end of the message carefully and find the reason Yahweh gives.
Jeremiah 39:17, Jeremiah 39:18
What choice was Jeremiah given, and what did he finally do?
First find the two options offered to Jeremiah, then read the final verse to see where he went.
Jeremiah 40:4, Jeremiah 40:5, Jeremiah 40:6
Make, think or respond
Jeremiah Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Write or draw six moments from the passage on separate cards: the king’s command, Jeremiah brought out, message for Ebedmelech, Jeremiah in chains, Jeremiah released and given a choice, Jeremiah goes to Gedaliah.
- Mix the cards and ask children to place them in order by listening to the verses as they are read again.
- Remind the group that the message for Ebedmelech in Jeremiah 39:15-18 belongs before Jeremiah’s release in Jeremiah 40:1-6.
- Let children add one short label to each card such as 'do him no harm', 'trust in me' or 'went to Gedaliah'.
- Review the finished line of cards together and retell the account from beginning to end.
This activity helps children sequence Jeremiah 39:11–40:6 and connect each step to the choices and outcomes named in the passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the six cards in advance with simple pictures and use fewer words while repeating the key ending that Jeremiah went to Gedaliah and lived among the people.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include the exact reason Ebedmelech is rescued and to explain the options Jeremiah receives before choosing Gedaliah.
An optional closing prayer
'God, thank you that your word stands true. Please help us listen carefully to what you say and trust you, as this passage teaches. Amen.'
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Jeremiah 39
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying,
12 “Take him and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.”
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon
14 sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should bring him home. So he lived among the people.
15 Now Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
16 “Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day.
17 But I will deliver you in that day,” says Yahweh; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
18 For I will surely save you. You won’t fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life, because you have put your trust in me,” says Yahweh.’ ”
Jeremiah 40
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were carried away captive to Babylon.
2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God pronounced this evil on this place;
3 and Yahweh has brought it, and done according as he spoke. Because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing has come on you.
4 Now, behold, I release you today from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, don’t. Behold, all the land is before you. Where it seems good and right to you to go, go there.”
5 Now while he had not yet gone back, “Go back then,” he said, “to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go.
6 Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.