Week of February 19, 2012

Is God Fair?
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Series: Jonah
The story of Jonah concludes in an unexpected way. Jonah expects Nineveh to be destroyed. Readers expect Jonah to have truly changed because he had seemingly repented in chapters 2-3. However, it seems as though he went back to the person he was. This book highlights that none of us deserve God's grace because we’ve all sinned. Yet, He gives grace to undeserving people to highlight His mercy, forgiveness in Christ and faithfulness to His glory. Indeed, the central theme of the book is highlighted: God and His faithful love to bring people to faith through His grace and their repentance.

Getting Started
1. Have you ever questioned the fairness of God in your life?  Describe the situation.

Digging In
2. Read Jonah 3:10-4:4  Why was Jonah angry that the people of Nineveh repented?

3. Read Jonah 4:4-11  What was God trying to teach Jonah?  Why are these principles important?

Living It
4.  Do your best to explain the relationship between God's holiness and our sinful human predicament. Why is this essential to grasp in understanding God's grace, mercy and fairness?

5. Why is comparing our relative goodness with one another completely irrelevant before a holy God? (answer, then read Romans 3:10-12)

6. Are there people you resist loving and caring for because their values, beliefs, political statements, standing or lifestyle contradict yours? Who are these people?

7. How can you allow God to help you extend grace to those to whom it may be difficult for you to do so?

Prayer for Josiah and Heidi
-Time of refreshment for team members Steve and Devon who have completed their first six months in Kite City.
-New team members Neal and Kristen arriving in India February 18, and Courtney arriving in India in early March.
-A nanny to help Heidi with the four children while she continues to focus on language learning.

Children
-Read or listen to Jonah 4
-Have the kids recap what they have learned in this study
-Why is this story important?  Even with the way it ends?

Homework
Re-read the short book of Jonah once more.  What stands out to you the most?  Why is this?
What has God taught you through this amazing study?
How can this change your life?  Give 2-3 specific ways or action steps.
Read Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:15