Sunday, August 28, 2022

Title: The Worm

Theme Verse: Jonah 2:9

Key Verses: Jonah 4

God is inviting you to be a part of his work in our world.

Jonah recap:

Chapter 1: God invites Jonah into purpose.

Chapter 2: Jonah responds to God’s grace.

Chapter 3: God gives Jonah another chance.

Chapter 4: God graciously deals with Jonah

Things to notice as you read:

Who is displaying "violence and hostility" in the story? Jonah or Ninnevites?

Notice how God approaches Jonah with questions, not condemnations. Why?

Notice what God "arranges" for Jonah (plant, worm, wind). What is God trying to do?

Bottom Line: RESCUED people RESCUE people.

Prodigal Son parable Luke 15:11-32

An Exercise in Grace:

Identify your "ninevites" - people or a person who is difficult to love

List out all the ways that they are wicked, wrong.

THEN, review the list and ask if you have ever wanted to do or have ever done those things.

Realize that sometimes the "wickedness" you hate exists in part in you. We all start from the same place...and are in need of God’s grace.

Humility (Adavah): to occupy your God given space. What is your God given space in our world? We are not asked to occupy God’s place. We are not asked what space do WE want, nor the space that others think we should have.

Going Deeper Resources:

Tim Keller: The Prodigal Prophet

Reviving Evangelism: Current Realities That Demand a New Vision for Sharing Faith

Tim Mackie: part 5 When God Loves Your Enemy

Joel Thomas #3 Navigating a Turnaround