In our previous study of Jonah, we learned that while we can try running away from God, we can’t hide from Him if He is pursuing us, and we can’t escape His will for our lives, and that is a very good thing, because His presence in our lives is the ultimate good for us, and His Will is always best for us.
Today, In Chapter 2, we are going to see that we can call upon God for help from literally anywhere, and that we can praise Him even when we are going through trials.
Appetizer
- Could God intervene in the world in a miraculous way more often?
- Why does it seem that He doesn’t?
- What kind of Christians would that create if HE does and doesn’t, often?
Entrée: Jonah 2:1-10;
The Character of God and Jonah’s sense of Responsibility
- Reading Jonah 1:17 – Would it have been a better option for Jonah, trying to survive 3 days and 3 nights alone, floating in a storm tossed sea than being in the belly of the fish sent by God?.
- What does leaving Jonah entombed in the fish 3 days & nights say about the character of God, regarding His choice of the trials He allows you to go through and how He delivers you?
- What does the fact that Jonah could pray to God from the belly of a fish, and that God heard him from there, tell you about God?
- What does Jonah’s prayer say about his sense of accountability? Did he accept of the consequences of his past decisions or give excuses?
- Was he condemning himself to the consequences of his decisions or commending himself to God?
- What does Jonah’s declaration in v8-9 say to you about hope in God’s mercy?
Dessert: Jonah 2:10;
God reached down to the depths of the sea and “touched” Jonah’s life. Jonah repented and “turned” from his rebellious ways. Now God was preparing Jonah to “talk” (get involved) Mission.
Are you feeling the touch of God? Are you willing to repent and turn? Do you have a readiness to “talk” or “act” God’s mission?
Developing a Sense of Responsibility for whatever is assigned to you, is having an awareness of your obligations or duties, the willingness to take ownership of or commitment to, your role and the readiness to be accountable for your actions and their consequences, both positive and negative.
