Running Ahead of God
Jesus, who alone mediates between God and sinful humankind, wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4-5).
KEY VERSES
Jonah 4:1-4 (NASB)
1 But it greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. 2 Then he prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was this not what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore in anticipation of this I fled to Tarshish, since I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in mercy, and One who relents of disaster. 3 So now, Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.” 4 But the Lord said, “Do you have a good reason to be angry?” 5 Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade, until he could see what would happen in the city. 6 So the Lord God designated a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head, to relieve him of his discomfort. And Jonah was overjoyed about the plant. 7 But God designated a worm when dawn came the next day, and it attacked the plant and it withered. 8 And when the sun came up God designated a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint, and he begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life!” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to the point of death!” 10 Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant, for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. 11 Should I not also have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 people, who do not know the difference between their right hand and their left, as well as many animals?”
UNDERSTANDING
How do you typically react when you don’t get your way?
What percentage of what you did last week do you think will matter for eternity? Why?
What do you think of Jonah’s prayer in verses 2-3? If Jonah had an accurate understanding of the Lord’s character, why did he not share the Lord’s values?
If Jonah was so grateful for his recent rescue from death (2:5-9), why was he now wishing to die? What did this confirm about his attitude and heart?
Why did God continue to show mercy and patience to His reluctant prophet Jonah?
What are some reasons there might be people or people groups a believer would rather see suffer God’s judgment than to be reached with and changed by the gospel? How does God view those people?
How do you think God feels about the indifference we demonstrate toward reaching others with the gospel message?
How might we answer a church member who says, “Our church is a comfortable size just as it is—we don’t need to bring in more new people, especially if they’re not really like us”?
Jonah’s mission in Nineveh was complete. Why didn’t he go back home to Israel?
What was the Lord illustrating for Jonah by sending the leafy plant, the worm, and the scorching wind? What did these objects represent in relation to the city and its inhabitants?
Was it wrong for Jonah to care about the plant and mourn its destruction? Explain.
How does pettiness get in the way of our relationship with God?
Would you prefer that the Book of Jonah have a different ending? Why or why not?
What would we do differently if we shared God’s compassion and concern for the lost?
APPLICATION
In this week’s message, we learned that God still loves Nineveh, wants His children to go there, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get you there because Nineveh needs you. Where do you need to be more willing to be part of that process? What would change this week if you looked at your workplace as Nineveh? Your neighborhood?
What are some of the “plants” you cherish more than you should? How might these things keep you from responding to the needs of your “Nineveh”?
What practical steps can you take to spread the gospel in your Nineveh?
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.