Jonah Part 4 Small Group Questions
Jonah Chapter 3 challenges our:
-Self-Assurance
-Self-Importance
-Self-Righteousness
1. The Book of Jonah’s portrayal of Nineveh contrasts
sharply with other biblical portrayals. This challenges those of us who “know
what we know” about those who oppose us or who are our enemies.
Do you have a story about something you once knew that you
think differently about now? Or maybe someone you had judged a certain way but
turned out to be different?
2. Jonah preaches the worst sermon ever- “40 days and Nineveh
will be overturned.” No mention of God, no call to repent. And yet the people
turn to God and repent when Jonah is only 1/3 of the way into the city.
Obviously God didn’t need Jonah.
Why does God choose to partner with his often rebellious,
wayward, and ornery people called the church? What can we learn from Jonah’s
service to God?
3. Nineveh’s repentance is a rebuke to Jonah and a challenge
to people of faith. As soon as God’s word is heard, the people repent, the king
repents, even the livestock repent and fast and wear sackcloth. Then God
repents of his planned destruction because of Nineveh’s repentance. Are we ready to repent like the worst of
sinners Ninevities? IS God’s grace as welcome in our life as they welcomed it?
Do we yearn for responding to God’s word like Nineveh does? This, once again
for Jonah, confronts our own hardheartedness. Do you want to hear what the God of
heaven says to you today? How do you put this desire into practice in your
life?