Family Discussion Guide - May 16, 2021
Should God Not Be Compassionate
Jonah 4:1-11
Should God Not Be Compassionate
Jonah 4:1-11
Sermon Summary
The last chapter in Jonah leaves us wanting more. We want to know how Jonah answered that question. I for one would really like to know where Jonah went from here. All we really know about Jonah is that he did not want God to act in His compassion, that we was rebellious, and apparently loved the plant more than he loved his fellow humans. But, in this story we learn a lot about God. We can clearly see that God is gracious and compassionate with all of His creation.
In this final question to Jonah God also says a lot about Himself. Jonah looked at the city of Nineveh as evil. He looked at this city and these people as a threat, someone that needed to be destroyed so his way of life could be preserved. Jonah put limits on the very same gracious compassion that God had just showed him (an underserving, rebellious prophet). But, God didn’t see a rebellious prophet or an evil city full of His enemies. God saw a man who was struggling with God’s grace and who needed to be saved. He saw a city full of people who were lost and needed some direction to find their way. In both cases, they were His creation, whom He loved dearly.
The last chapter in Jonah leaves us wanting more. We want to know how Jonah answered that question. I for one would really like to know where Jonah went from here. All we really know about Jonah is that he did not want God to act in His compassion, that we was rebellious, and apparently loved the plant more than he loved his fellow humans. But, in this story we learn a lot about God. We can clearly see that God is gracious and compassionate with all of His creation.
In this final question to Jonah God also says a lot about Himself. Jonah looked at the city of Nineveh as evil. He looked at this city and these people as a threat, someone that needed to be destroyed so his way of life could be preserved. Jonah put limits on the very same gracious compassion that God had just showed him (an underserving, rebellious prophet). But, God didn’t see a rebellious prophet or an evil city full of His enemies. God saw a man who was struggling with God’s grace and who needed to be saved. He saw a city full of people who were lost and needed some direction to find their way. In both cases, they were His creation, whom He loved dearly.
Sermon Discussion
We are going to use the word PRAY as a guide to discussing what we heard in the sermon today.
PRAISE
REPENT
ASK
YES!
We are going to use the word PRAY as a guide to discussing what we heard in the sermon today.
PRAISE
- What did you learn about God today?
- Did you hear anything encouraging?
- Take a minute to praise God for who He is and how He encourages you.
REPENT
- Did you feel convicted about any sin?
- Did God use the sermon to reveal something in your life that needs to change?
- Confess those things together and pray for God to change us.
ASK
- What is one thing you feel like you need to ask God for based on what you heard in the sermon?
- Do you need guidance or strength?
- Do you need to see more clearly?
- Take time to ask God for that thing.
YES!
- What will you say yes to?
- How will you live out the things you have learned?
Bible Reading – Jonah 4
Discuss the following questions after you read the Bible story together.
Memory Verse – Memorize this as a family or read it together every day this week.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Discuss the following questions after you read the Bible story together.
- What did you like the most about the story? Any surprises?
- What questions do you have? What do you not understand?
- Are there any commands in this story we should follow?
- Are there any promises in this story we should remember?
- How will this story help you live for Jesus?
Memory Verse – Memorize this as a family or read it together every day this week.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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