INTRO:

The Bible is filled with faithful as well as disobedient examples. Both provide valuable lessons for believers. Who in your life has served as the most faithful example as a follower of Christ? What about this person allowed their testimony to make such an impression?

Read through the Book of Jonah. A study of Jonah reveals three pitfalls of a prideful prophet that can hinder love for the lost.

Pitfall # 1: His Rebellion against God
Pitfall # 2: His Reluctant Heart
Pitfall # 3: His Recalcitrant Response

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

JONAH’S REBELLION AGAINST GOD was so strong that it paved the way for the Lord to chasten Jonah in one of the most intense measures ever recorded. How can this serve as a spiritual lesson to believers? Nineveh’s reputation hardened Jonah’s view of them. Have you ever struggled to evangelize someone because of their reputation? If God asked you to counsel Jonah what would you say? What Bible verses would you use? (Yes—it is okay to use NT passages!)
JONAH’S RELUCTANT HEART is easy to see throughout the book. Like Jonah, if we do not understand God’s heartbeat for the lost then we will be reluctant to evangelize our neighbors. There are many reasons why focusing on God’s mercy to us can encourage us to evangelize the lost today. Name a couple of them.

JONAH’S RECALCITRANT RESPONSE displayed a heart that was very proud. Some theologians believe that Jonah is the author of the book. Would this change your opinion of Jonah if this account was biographical? Why or why not? Read Proverbs 11:14 and 12:15. How can these proverbs help us avoid Jonah’s pitfalls?

TRANSPARENCY QUESTION(S)

Reflect on the three pitfalls above. Which of these three pitfalls do you struggle with the most? How is God using it to grow you?

CARE GROUP MEMORY VERSES

Matthew 5:43-35: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.