SUMMARY
This week picked the story up right where Jonah's running left off. He ran from God, ran out of options, and then found himself exactly where God wanted him to begin with. The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, and Jonah traveled 350 miles to Nineveh with a message he never would have chosen, and there's no sign he was excited about it. It worked anyway. From the greatest to the least, the Ninevites believed God and stopped their violence and repented. And as a result of this God relented. Not only was there intellectual belief, there was a change in the Ninevites behavior, which is the same message Jesus preached: repent, for the kingdom of God is near. Jonah didn't change Nineveh. God did. Jonah just went.
MAIN TAKEAWAYYou are responsible for obedience. God is responsible for outcomes.
ICE BREAKERWhat’s a food, hobby, place, or activity somebody had to practically drag you into trying and now you love it?
LOOK BACK
- Jonah's story has three stages: running from God (avoiding what he asked), running out of options (nowhere left to go), and landing right where God wanted him all along. Which does your last year look most like?
- Jonah went to Nineveh, but there’s no sign he was excited about it. Have you ever obeyed God even when you didn’t feel like it? What came from that?
LOOK UP
- Read Jonah 3:1-5. Despite Jonah’s reluctance, God uses Jonah. What does this say about God’s ability to work through us even when we don’t feel ready, willing, or enthusiastic?
- Read Jonah 3:6-10. How does the Ninevites' response compare to Jonah's so far? Why do you think the people who knew the least about God repented the fastest?
- Read Jonah 3:10. What changes in the Ninevites and how easy or hard is it for you to accept that God may “relent,” or change direction?
LOOK AHEAD
- At Salty we don't expect everybody to do the same thing, but we encourage everybody to do something. What ways can you be a part of Jesus’ mission? Encouraging others, giving, serving, hospitality, teaching, sharing your faith?
- If somebody looked at your life, where would they see evidence that you are participating in Jesus’ mission?
WEEKLY CHALLENGEIdentify the smallest step of obedience in following Jesus’ mission this week and take it, reluctance and all.
CONVERSATION TIPS
- Make Room. Resist filling every silence, allow room for those who may need more time to think before answering.
- Ask, Don’t Advise. When someone shares something hard, ask a follow-up question before offering a fix.
- End with prayer. Share requests around the group, then close your time together in prayer.
