Our church is doing a four-week sermon series through the book of Jonah called: "Running to God."
We are studying the life of the prophet Jonah and what it looks like to run to God even when we don't want to. The book of Jonah is small in size but deep in theology. We read about the unending, gracious, merciful love of God. We see that God is unwilling to give up on anyone and longs for all people to know Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.
Small Group Questions ::: A God who speaks ::: Jonah 1
The book of Jonah is small in size but great in impact. Jonah is one of thirteen minor prophets. Titled “Minor” based on size of the book, not of effectiveness of ministry. Jonah was a prophet in Israel who was asked to preach to a pagan nation (2 Kings 14:25). Jonah refused to obey the word of the Lord to preach against Nineveh and instead went the other direction to Tarshish. It is unique to see Jonah take a boat to flee from the Lord because the Israelites are known to be people of the land and not of the sea. Some scholars think that Jonah might have sold his personal possessions to amass enough money to pay the far to sail some 2000 miles from Israel. Study Jonah 1 to see what you can learn about running to God.
1) Neal started the sermon by sharing about his call to move to Vegas and help serve at a growing church. Share about a time you followed the voice of the Lord.
2) Read Jonah 1:1-3. Jonah chooses to go in the opposite direction that God called him to go. Read Acts 9:1-19. Compare Jonah running from God to Ananias obeying God. What history of God’s goodness do you have to move forward and trust Him?
3) We read that God sent a great wind and violent storm on the sea (Jonah 1:4-5). Scripture teaches us that God has dominion over every aspect of His creation. Read Matthew 8:23-27 and talk about the greatness of God.
4) While the storm was raging, Jonah slept in the boat. Jonah was never out of God’s sight. Read Psalm 139 and talk about the omniscience (God sees all things) and omnipresence (God is present in all things) of God.
5) Genesis 12:1-5 is an account of Abraham’s calling to follow the Lord. Scripture teaches us that God desires for all mankind to know Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Where is God growing you in a compassion for those who are far from the Lord?
6) Neal shared about the grace of the sailors in Jonah 1:11-16. They responded with empathy to Jonah. Read to story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Where is God asking you to step out of your comfort zone to help others know Him?
7) Ultimately Jonah was swallowed by a large fish (read Jonah 1:17). Even in his disobedience God was unwilling to let Jonah die. Share about a time where God stepped in and saved your life.
Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline on Sunday.
You can view the entire worship gathering here:
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