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Even Still: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry Topic: Hurt and Pain Scripture: Jeremiah and Lamentations Decorating Theme: Sun, Moon, & Stars Age Group: Students When life feels dark-like nothing is going right and nothing ever will-it's easy to feel lost and hopeless. But just like the sun, moon, and stars light up the darkest sky, God's light shines in our lives even in the hardest moments because God's presence carries us, no matter what we face. In this 4-week series from Jeremiah and Lamentations, we'll explore how God meets us in our pain and brings light to guide us through. We'll learn that, even still, God's promises are true , God is good , God is with us , and God gives us hope . BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Even still, God's promises are true. (Babylon Invades & Jeremiah Buys A Field: Jeremiah 32:1-17; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Psalm 50:15) Even still, God is good. (Jeremiah Laments: Lamentations 3:1-26; James 1:2-4; Exodus 34:6) Even still, God is with us. (God Has a Plan for Israel's Future: Jeremiah 29:4-6, 11-13; James 4:7-8; Matthew 28:20) Even still, God gives us hope. (Jeremiah Trusts God's Promises: Jeremiah 31:23-28; Hebrews 11:1-2, 12:1-3; Psalm 42:11) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we see Jeremiah buy a field during battle to show God's trustworthiness, and Paul reminds us God promises help when we feel crushed. When the night feels darkest, even the smallest star can remind us that God's plans are still unfolding. This week, we'll see how Jeremiah trusted God's promises during a dark time when Jerusalem was under siege and his people faced exile. With a glimmer of faith, Jeremiah bought a field as an act of trust because he knew that, even still, God's promises are true . This week, we explore Jeremiah's trust in God's goodness even as he laments pain and James's challenge to find joy during trials and temptations. Sometimes life feels unbearably heavy, as if the darkness will never lift and the sun will never rise again. This week, we'll dive into how Jeremiah didn't shy away from his pain but poured out his grief to God. Yet, in the middle of his storm, he chose to focus on the light of who God is, trusting that, even still, God is good . This week, we hear about God's great plans for us, even when we make mistakes, and see how God draws near to us as we resist temptation. Just as the sun, moon, and stars still shine even when clouds hide them, God's presence stays steady even in our darkest moments. This week, we'll see how God spoke through Jeremiah to remind the Israelites that their mistakes didn't cancel God's plans for them. Their story shows us that God loves us and isn't going anywhere because, even still, God is with us . This week, God promises Jeremiah to restore what the people of Israel lost during captivity, while Hebrews teaches us to hope in what we cannot see. Like a comet streaking across the night sky, light and hope can break through even during the darkest times. This week, we'll see how God spoke to Jeremiah about bringing back what the Israelites lost during their captivity, giving them hope for a better future. God's promised restoration became the silver lining in their darkness and reminds us that, even still, God gives us hope . MEMORY VERSE: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

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