Broken Cisterns
Scripture:
Jeremiah 1-2, 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
What you will need:
The first object is something that will symbolize the broken cisterns. Ideally, try to find an old, rusty pitcher or bucket that is leaky from being rusted through. Find something that looks old, dirty, and inadequate for carrying water. The second object would be a source of clean water. I used a wall/garden fountain with an electric pump in it. It kept a constant flow of clean water. If you can’t find a fountain that would work, use a nice glass or ceramic pitcher and basin.
The teaching:
The teaching is a slow progression through Jeremiah chapter 2 in which God charges his people with spiritual infidelity. In the scripture, you can see the people move from defensiveness to hopelessness as they embrace the fact that they have turned away from the living water that was in their midst to broken cisterns. Finally, the grace of God calls us to return to the living water and find restoration.
The experiential:
Hold up the old, rusty pitcher or bucket while you are talking about how the people turned to cisterns and then again when you address how we turn to broken cisterns. If you are able to, pour water into the broken cistern and let it leak out or ask if any of them would like a drink. When you talk about the living water, draw their attention to the clean water either from a fountain or a clean glass pitcher.
At the end of the message, give them an opportunity for response. Give them some instruction so they can move through the periential
quietly at their own pace. Invite the people to come down to the front where you have the broken cistern and the living water. Encourage the people to put their hands on the cistern. Feel the rust or rough nature of it. Look at the dirty water or the insufficiency of this vessel to hold water. As they do, encourage them to ask Jesus in what ways they have turned to broken cisterns that were insufficient.
Then they can move to the living water. If you have a fountain, they can stick their hands in the flow and let the water run over their hands. If it is a pitcher, pour the clean water over their hands. You or another person can even speak a blessing over them as you pour the water.
Depending on the size of your audience, you may be better served to have two or more stations. Have both a broken cistern and the living water at each station.
Outline:
Context of Jeremiah’s ministry
- Under Josiah’s rule
- Under Jehoiakim’s rule
- Jeremiah chapter 1 – receives the call
Jeremiah 2:1-3
- The Lord’s case against his people
Jeremiah 2:4-7, 13
- God had delivered them in the past
- They turned to worthless idols
- God levels the charges against his people
- “They have turned from me, the living water, and have chosen broken cisterns”
o Draw attention to the old, rusty “cistern”
Jeremiah 2:23-25
- The spiritual infidelity of the people
- Their response: “We love these idols and we can’t stop!”
Jeremiah 2:36-37
- Their hopelessness has led them to despair
- They have come full circle from slavery, back into slavery
Rewinding the clock: 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
- God warns: “There may come a time when you turn away”
- “If you return to me, I will restore the life you have lost”
Application:
- Recognizing how we have turned to broken cisterns instead of living water.
- What have we chosen to build our foundation on, to find healing in, to seek our future in that is like the broken cisterns?
- God calls us to return to him, the living water
Jeremiah 1-2, 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
What you will need:
The first object is something that will symbolize the broken cisterns. Ideally, try to find an old, rusty pitcher or bucket that is leaky from being rusted through. Find something that looks old, dirty, and inadequate for carrying water. The second object would be a source of clean water. I used a wall/garden fountain with an electric pump in it. It kept a constant flow of clean water. If you can’t find a fountain that would work, use a nice glass or ceramic pitcher and basin.
The teaching:
The teaching is a slow progression through Jeremiah chapter 2 in which God charges his people with spiritual infidelity. In the scripture, you can see the people move from defensiveness to hopelessness as they embrace the fact that they have turned away from the living water that was in their midst to broken cisterns. Finally, the grace of God calls us to return to the living water and find restoration.
The experiential:
Hold up the old, rusty pitcher or bucket while you are talking about how the people turned to cisterns and then again when you address how we turn to broken cisterns. If you are able to, pour water into the broken cistern and let it leak out or ask if any of them would like a drink. When you talk about the living water, draw their attention to the clean water either from a fountain or a clean glass pitcher.
At the end of the message, give them an opportunity for response. Give them some instruction so they can move through the periential
quietly at their own pace. Invite the people to come down to the front where you have the broken cistern and the living water. Encourage the people to put their hands on the cistern. Feel the rust or rough nature of it. Look at the dirty water or the insufficiency of this vessel to hold water. As they do, encourage them to ask Jesus in what ways they have turned to broken cisterns that were insufficient.
Then they can move to the living water. If you have a fountain, they can stick their hands in the flow and let the water run over their hands. If it is a pitcher, pour the clean water over their hands. You or another person can even speak a blessing over them as you pour the water.
Depending on the size of your audience, you may be better served to have two or more stations. Have both a broken cistern and the living water at each station.
Outline:
Context of Jeremiah’s ministry
- Under Josiah’s rule
- Under Jehoiakim’s rule
- Jeremiah chapter 1 – receives the call
Jeremiah 2:1-3
- The Lord’s case against his people
Jeremiah 2:4-7, 13
- God had delivered them in the past
- They turned to worthless idols
- God levels the charges against his people
- “They have turned from me, the living water, and have chosen broken cisterns”
o Draw attention to the old, rusty “cistern”
Jeremiah 2:23-25
- The spiritual infidelity of the people
- Their response: “We love these idols and we can’t stop!”
Jeremiah 2:36-37
- Their hopelessness has led them to despair
- They have come full circle from slavery, back into slavery
Rewinding the clock: 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
- God warns: “There may come a time when you turn away”
- “If you return to me, I will restore the life you have lost”
Application:
- Recognizing how we have turned to broken cisterns instead of living water.
- What have we chosen to build our foundation on, to find healing in, to seek our future in that is like the broken cisterns?
- God calls us to return to him, the living water