Running With God
God shows His grace when we repent and turn to Him in our failures.
KEY VERSES
Jonah 3:1-10 (NASB)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” 3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk. 4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Forty more days, and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 Uhen the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, removed his robe from himself, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the dust. 7 And he issued a proclamation, and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: No person, animal, herd, or flock is to taste anything. They are not to eat, or drink water. 8 But every person and animal must be covered with sackcloth; and people are to call on God vehemently, and they are to turn, each one from his evil way, and from the violence which is in their hands. 9 Who knows, God may turn and relent, and turn from His burning anger so that we will not perish.” 10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their evil way, then God relented of the disaster which He had declared He would bring on them. So He did not do it.
UNDERSTANDING
In this week’s message, Pastor Jeff said, “It is difficult to construct a theology of failure.” What did he mean by that? Can you relate? Explain.
When have you messed up and wished you could have a do-over? Did you get that do- over? Why or why not?
Why does personal failure cause so many people turn away from God, instead of to Him?
How did Jonah respond to God’s command this time? What message from God did Jonah preach in Nineveh?
What does it tell you about God that He would give reluctant, disobedient Jonah a second chance to deliver the message of divine judgment against Nineveh?
Contrast these verses with Jonah 1:1-3. What does it tell you about God that He sent a message of warning to Nineveh before judging them for their sins?
The gospel message we are called to spread does not come with a 40-day deadline like Jonah’s message. Does that affect our urgency? Explain.
Jonah’s message was very concise. Did he leave out anything the Ninevites needed to hear? Explain.
What do people today have an urgent need to hear? What points need to be included in our message?
What can happen if we assume there is no urgency in getting our message out to those who need to hear?
What factors may distract believers from giving enough attention to the urgent proclamation of the gospel?
How would you describe Nineveh’s reaction to Jonah’s message?
By what two actions did the Ninevites demonstrate repentance? Why was this important?
How did the Ninevites demonstrate that they had turned from their evil ways (v. 10)? Why do we find it surprising when people turn from their wickedness to the Lord?
What did the Lord do when He saw how the Ninevites turned from their evil ways?
What individuals or people groups might we assume would not be receptive to the message of Christ today? What can we learn from Jonah 3 that might help us reach them?
APPLICATION
In this week’s message, we learned the following: 1. God making use of us is the best evidence of His being at peace with us. 2. Call from God + my disobedience = discipline. Call from God + my obedience = blessing. 3. The Word of God is unalterable. 4. To avoid ruin, we must experience humility. Which of these truths stand out to you most as something you need to apply going forward? Explain.
What spiritual responsibility do each of us have to other people, whether we know them or not? What can we as a group do differently as we strive to fulfill that responsibility?
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.