When we reject our selfishness, it frees us to be a conduit of God’s grace.
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SERMON NOTES:
Jonah 4
Jonah vents. (1-4)
Jonah pouts. (5)
Jonah rejoices. (6)
Jonah whines. (7-9)
God rebukes. (10-11)
When we reject our selfishness, it frees us to be a conduit of God’s grace.
study questions:
1. Read verses 1-4. What were the emotions Jonah was experiencing in verse 1? Look back at Jonah 3:5-10 and also at 4:2-3. Why was Jonah so upset? What are the different ways that Jonah described God, and why did his understanding of God add to his emotions? What did Jonah want God to do? What was God’s response, and what was God’s message to Jonah? Have you ever been upset with God like Jonah was? What were the circumstances, and how did you handle your emotions?
2. Read verses 5-6. What did Jonah do after God asked him about his anger? How did Jonah respond when God sent the plant to give him shade? What does Jonah’s response teach us about Jonah? Are you ever up and down emotionally? Are your emotions ever dependent upon your circumstances? Why or why not?
3. Read verse 7-8. What did God do next? Why do you think God did this? How did Jonah respond? Have you felt foolish or immature about how you have responded to God? How so?
4. Read verses 9-11. How would you summarize God’s conversation with Jonah? What was God teaching Jonah through the illustration of the plant? How are these same lessons applicable to us?
So what. Is there a person or a group of people that you would not want God to forgive? Why? Is there a person or a group of people that you need to forgive? If so, what is keeping you from forgiving him/her/them? Consider Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, and Revelation 7:9-10. Who did Jesus die for, and who will be in Heaven us? What is one thing you are taking away from this study that challenges or encourages you?