Jonah Goes to BIG GOD School

#1 Mutiny: It's the Garden of Eden all over again

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:24:30 -0500

Open your bible to the book of Jonah. Read Jonah 1:1-6.
What did God want Jonah to do? From your perspective: Is this a reasonable request? Why or Why not? Jonah 1:1
What did Jonah actually do? From your perspective: Is this a reasonable response? Why or why not? Jonah 1:2-3
We've all had our Jonah moments when we've gone in the opposite direction from what God was asking us to do! Describe a typical mutiny moment in your own life: What did you do? Why? Why didn't you want to obey God?
What did God do to bring you back from this moment of mutiny?
Why do you think God cares so much about you and your role in his plans (even when we pull a Jonah)?
How did God begin to direct Jonah back to a growing relationship with him? Jonah 1:4-6
Stop and pray for God to do whatever it takes for you to keep growing closer to him. Ask God to give you his perspective on the challenges that you are currently facing. Ask God to reveal himself as the BIG GOD that he truly is--especially in the places where you have doubts or a rebellious desire.

#2 God is always working around me

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:24:23 -0500

Open your bible to the book of Jonah. Read Jonah 1:7-16
Examine Jonah 1: 8-9: How do you think Jonah felt when the lots fell to him and he had to explain who he was? Why.
If someone asked you "Who are you?" like the sailors did to Jonah, what would you say?"
How has God gotten you to understand who you are from his perspective?
Can you say like Jonah, "I am a God follower and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." Why or why not?
Examine Jonah 1:10-12: Why do you think Jonah was willing to be thrown overboard? Do you think he feared for his life? Do you think he'd rather die than obey God? Why or why not?
Examine Jonah 1:13-16: How did the crew of the ship see God at work through Jonah?
Do you believe that God uses you for his plans even when you don’t know he is working? Why or why not?
Stop and pray with thankfulness for God’s love for you. Ask him to show you who he is in a bigger way today.

#3 God won't give up on me

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:24:19 -0500

Open your bible to the book of Jonah. Read Jonah 1:17 through 2:10.
Why do you think God wanted Jonah to be involved in his plans? Why do you think Jonah didn't want to be involved in God's plans?
Why do you think God spared Jonah’s life and gave him a second chance?
Has God ever given you a second chance to obey him? When?
What did it take for Jonah to agree to join God in his plans instead of doing his own thing?
What will it take for God to get you to agree to join his plans instead of doing your own thing?
Stop and pray. Ask God to make you excited for his plans for you and your life. Ask God to make you ready for both his current and the life-long plans that he has for you. Take a moment to confess any sins and mutiny attitudes in your heart.

#4 I can't stop God's Big Plan

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:24:15 -0500

Open your bible to the book of Jonah. Read Jonah 3: 1-10.
Why do you think God wanted the people of Nineveh to hear God's message?
Why do you think he wanted Jonah to be the one to share this message?
Stop and give Jonah a hand-clap for his response in Jonah 3:3.
Why do you think the people and King of Nineveh responded to God's message through Jonah? Was this response because of Jonah's skill and passion for these people?
What kind of a God did the King of Nineveh hope that God was like in Jonah 3:9?
According to Jonah 3:10, what kind of God is He?
WOW! God acts consistent with his character! He is a promise keeping God. Why is the fact that God keeps his promises important to you?
Stop and pray. Pray for your friends. Your school or workplace. Your Family. Your Community. Pray that each of these would experience who God is in Jonah 3:10. Pray for God's compassion to fill you. Ask God to forgive you for ways you have mistreated others (even this week). Ask God for his help as you live out his compassion with others.

#5 God is a God of BIG FORGIVENESS

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:24:09 -0500

Open your bible to the book of Jonah. Read Jonah 4: 1-11.
So what’s Jonah's problem in Jonah 4:1-3? Why was Jonah so upset?
Background: The people of Ninevah had an evil reputation. They were very cruel to their enemies. Jonah new that his nation (Israel--God's chosen people) had suffered greatly from times of war with the people of Ninevah and the Assyrian nation. Jonah was certainly prejudiced against these people and even their animals. Perhaps Jonah's own family had suffered personal harm from the people of Ninevah. Even when Jonah reluctantly delivered God's message he did it in a single sentence. He didn't want to spare a nation who if spared could cause ongoing harm to his family and friends. Jonah wanted God to limit his compassion to those Jonah selected.
What lessons do you think God is teaching Jonah through the shady plant and the worm? Why is this an important lesson for Jonah?
What is Jonah’s attitude at the very end of the book of Jonah? How do you feel about the way the book ends?
List three ways that your view of God has gotten BIGGER as you’ve watched him at work in the life of Jonah, the sailors and the people of Ninevah.
Stop and pray. Take a moment and thank God for his patience with you. Thank God that no sin you or anyone else commits is beyond his forgiveness.
Jonah believed everything was too much about him and not enough about God and his plans. Ask God to change your heart so that life isn’t so much about you. Tell God: It’s not about me! It’s about you and your plans! Thank God for all he is doing to help you know, accept and even enjoy him and his plans for you.