I've been meaning to do this... Better late than never
Questions to consider:
1. What was God’s response to Hananiah in 28:12-17? What would be his punishment? He killed him.
2. What does Jeremiah do in 29:1? He wrote a letter to the people who had been exiled to Babylon
Why would he need to do this? (29:8-9) They were being deceived by the prophets and fortune tellers there.
What does Jeremiah tell the people to do in Babylon? (29:5-7) Plan to stay there; build homes, plant gardens, start families, work for peace in the city and pray for it.
3. What will be the duration of the exile in Babylon? (29:10) 70 years
What will bring it to an end? (29:11-14) The Lord. He said he will bring them out of captivity, restore their fortunes, and take them home.
4. How can we apply Jeremiah 29:11 to our own lives and what God has for us?
We can trust God. In this book God is telling His people basically that they need to stay where they are being held captive. I was just reading a much needed devotional about how we always try to escape trials instead of letting God see us through them in His timing. Even today you hear "prophets" saying that for "someone" your "turn around is near" when that's not always true. If there's trials that won't go away instead of running ourselves ragged trying to get out of them we can pray and hand it over to God and trust that He does have a good future for us despite how long it takes to for Him to lead us out of a bad situation. Like Joel Osteen says "bloom where you're planted" - sounds like that's what God was telling them.
5. Who does Jeremiah talk about in 29:15-20? What is the message regarding them?
The people who wouldn't listen to God's prophets; the kings and His people who aren't in exile. He says He will bring catastrophe upon them; he will give them war, famine, and disease; and he will make a mockery out of them.