Key Thought: Jonah’s heart wasn’t in the right place, and consequently suffered from a lack of rest and peace. But God did not desert him, but led him to have more confidence in God.
September 18, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Jonah 1:15-17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Where did Jonah think he was going to find rest and peace from God?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever tried to avoid doing something for God that you knew that He wanted you to do? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “If we are called to do something for God, and we choose not to do it, would God reach out to us like Jonah? If we didn’t do the task, who would miss out on the blessings the most: the people affected by our lack of action, or us for not doing it?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Jonah 3:1-10.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How did Ninevah respond to Jonah’s preaching? Was it a surprise?
3. Personal Application: What lessons can we take for this ourselves in our attempts to witness to others? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is repentance and why is it such an important part of being a Christian? Is repentance a one-time event or a continual action?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Jonah 4:1-11.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What was Jonah’s problem? What can we learn from his character flaws?
3. Personal Application: How can we learn to have the kind of compassion and patience that God has for others? How can we reflect it in our lives? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Was Jonah right about not wanting to preach to Ninevah? They were very evil and cruel and God eventually destroyed them anyway. It’s like today, why waste your time preaching to those who hate us, want to kill Christians, and live only to make other people miserable with their evil thoughts and deeds?“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Jude 20-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How are these verses similar to Jonah’s experience with Ninevah?
3. Personal Application: When witnessing to others, have you felt like it was similar to snatching one out of the fire? Have you felt the importance of being saved or lost in a person’s life based on the gospel message?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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