Running Away From God
What does life look like when we seek to flee from God and run life on our own?
KEY VERSES
Jonah 1:1-17 (NASB)
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord. 4 However, the Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea, so that the ship was about to break up. 5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried out to his god, and they hurled the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the stern of the ship, had lain down, and fallen sound asleep. 6 So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” 7 And each man said to his mate, “Come, let’s cast lots so that we mayfind out on whose account this catastrophe has struck us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this catastrophe struck us? What is your occupation, and where do you come from? What is your country, and from what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men became extremely afraid, and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, because I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to land, but they could not, because the sea was becoming even stormier against them. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life, and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, Lord, have done as You pleased.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. 16 Then the men became extremely afraid of the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. 17 And the Lord designated a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.
UNDERSTANDING
Would you consider yourself a rule follower or a rule breaker? For the rule breakers, what are some rules you are inclined to break? Why?
There are some rules that seem more like guidelines to us. The speed limit is an example. With all the signage we rarely need to question what the speed limit is. Why, then, do many of us frequently disobey this law?
What did God ask Jonah to do? Was there anything unclear in God’s directions to Jonah? What are some reasons we disobey when we have clear direction from the Lord?
What was different about Jonah’s plan from God’s plan?
Jonah tried to run away from the presence of the Lord (v. 3). Does such a place exist? Why do we like to imagine that it does?
Jonah paid his own fare to get to Tarshish (v. 3). Why is disobedience always costly? How has your own disobedience cost you?
Who caused the storm to overtake the ship? How do you know?
How did the sailors show more reverence for God than Jonah?
God used a storm to grab Jonah’s attention. What does God’s desire to have our attention teach us about the goodness of God?
How does rebellion and disobedience blind us from seeing what God is trying to do?
What do you think of Jonah’s request to be thrown into the sea (v. 12)? Was this a heroic, selfless act, or was it a reflection of his continuing refusal to obey God?
How did God use Jonah’s disobedience to receive the worship of the pagan sailors?
Read Romans 8:31-39. How is God’s love described in these verses? Is there any place we can go where God’s love can’t find us despite our disobedience?
Where do you see the authority and providence of God in these verses?
APPLICATION
How can you guard against becoming insensitive to the things of God? Are there any areas where this might be an issue for you now? What do you need to do about it? How can this group help?
In this week’s message, we were reminded that the place of obedience is the place of blessing. In what situation or area of life does this truth encourage or challenge you today?
Pastor Jeff said, “We should always suspect our faith when it becomes exclusive.” What steps can you take to have greater concern for people in your neighborhood? At work? Globally?
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.