Jonah: Week 6

Text: Jonah 2
Sermon: Rev. Matt Kennedy (Salvation Belongs to the Lord)

1. In our moments of despair and hopelessness, what do we usually turn to or cling to?

2.  What is despair and where does it come from?

3.  All people and events are under God’s rule and authority.  Name some situations, personal or biblical, where good has come out of a bad, difficult or frustrating situation.

4.  How do our pains or struggles bring us closer to God?

5.  Often, God’s timing does not match with our own.  We consider God’s action to be too early or too late.  Why does God’s timing always work, even if we don’t see it that way at the time?

6.  Our false idols (pride, alcohol, food, relationships, career, children, past events, etc.) demand that we vow and sacrifice to them, and in return they “save us” or “serve us” in a way that is desirable.  How do these actions change when it comes to the Lord?

7.  Jonah’s experience with God reveals that the Christian life is not without pain or discomfort, but He does rescue us from the worst – eternal death and separation.  Share an experience that has caused you pain or trial as a Christian.

8.  After reading halfway through the book of Jonah, share what you have learned from it so far.  What are a few of the central themes?

Questions about Trials and Judgment

Text: Psalm 11
Sermon: Rev. Mark Carlton (Home Church)

1. (Lead-in) Do you think a society or culture will tolerate wrong-doing?  If so, how?  Could tolerance ever grow into acceptance?

2. (Lead-in) Do you think a society or culture can villianize what was previously considered a virtue?  If so, how?

3. (v.1) Why does the option of fleeing from conflict seem appealing?  Does it achieve its goal in the short-term?  How about the long-term?

4. (v.2,3) When evil is “breaking down the foundations,” what social choices do we have as Christians?

5. (v.4) How does God’s presence and “location” act as a comfort to us?

6. (v.5) What does God ask of His people in response to the success of the wicked?

7. (v.6,7) How do we (as Christians) approach the world on the topic of judgment?  Why might this be a topic of incredible discomfort or incredible joy?  (For additional references on joy see Psalm 96.)

8. (App) Why is judgment absolutely necessary for God to be truly loving and truly just?

Questions about Trials and Glory

Text: Psalms 4

Sermon: Jerry Shriver

1. [Lead-In] Can you think about a difficult time or a great trial in your life?  What made the experience so hard?  How did it feel?

2. [v.1] What types of distress do we put on ourselves or on others? Consider all types of distress including physical, emotional, and spiritual.

3. [v.2] Define glory.  Also, what is the difference between the glory of man and the glory of God?

4. [v.2] How do our delusions/false gods divert our attention away from the truth and purpose God has for us?

5. [v.3] Countless times, God has used his servants in the Bible to make “a way out of no way.”  Share or reflect on your favorite “way out of no way” account in Scripture.  Why is this particular account so important to you?

6. [v.4] What happens when we still our minds and hearts?  What types of things does God reveal to us?  How should we react?

7. [v.6] How is God’s vision of success and prosperities different than our own?

8. [App] Think of times in your life that God has delivered you from a trial.  What is the value of setting up a “memorial” to serve as a reminder of His faithfulness?  How do we set “memorials” in our lives?