‘Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.’ (Jonah 3:1-3)
Summary: Repentance will be seen in how we live.
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I find Jesus’ parable of the two sons very challenging to me. He says:
‘“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” ‘ “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. ‘Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”’ (Matthew 21:28-31)
It's wonderful to know that God is patient with me, forgives me, and doesn't give up on me. However, He also wants me to obey Him and go to my Nineveh - to say “yes” to His mission.
Repentance means changing our mind and direction. In Psalm 119, we see the process of repentance in a nutshell:
‘I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.’ (Psalms 119:59)
True repentance is demonstrated through change. Paul tells us that ‘godly sorrow brings repentance’ (2 Corinthians 7:10). For Jonah, repentance involved changing direction toward Nineveh - running towards, rather than away from, God's mission. For us, true repentance in regards to mission means being prayerful, ready, and proactive in sharing our faith in the communities that God has placed us in.
RESPONSE - WHEN DO YOU REPENT?
The Lord's Prayer teaches us to include "Forgive us our debts" in our prayers. I know that I need to be reminded to ask for God's forgiveness and repent each day. Specifically, do we need to repent in regards to our involvement in sharing the gospel? Do we need to repent of fear, shame, distraction, etc. in relation to sharing our faith with others? May it be said of us, ‘(insert your name) obeyed and went’.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. NOTICES
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please try to use the COME TO JESUS DAILY DEVOTIONALS (blog). This will help us to get deep into this book together. There is also a video option if that helps (Ensure that everyone knows how to access this)
Please get signed up for Funky Monkeys and invite your friends: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/funkymonkeys
2. ICEBREAKER
What have been your 'highs' and 'lows' from the past few weeks?
3. RECAP OF SUNDAY’S MESSAGE - PLEASE SHARE IN YOUR GROUP
JONAH OBEYED AND WENT
Please read Jonah 2:1-3
MAIN IDEA: WE ALWAYS HAVE A FRESH OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO GOD AND TO SERVE HIM.
1. THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME A SECOND TIME
God speaks to Jonah again and recommissions him to go to preach to Nineveh.
2. GO TO THE CITY
God repeats his commission to Jonah. The Holy Spirit, if we give Him space, want to continually remind us of the Great Commission that is spoken over us (See Matthew 28:18-20).
3. GIVE THE MESSAGE THAT GOD GIVES
God sends Jonah to proclaim His message. Likewise, the gospel - Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sin and salvation - is the message that God has given and that we are to give.
4. RESPONSE: JONAH OBEYED AND WENT. WHAT WILL OUR RESPONSE BE?
Jonah, this time, responds by going on God’s mission to Nineveh. As with Jonah, we always have a fresh opportunity to come back to God and to serve Him in His mission.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How would you counsel someone who said that they felt that God had given up on them and that they could never be forgiven and restored?
Jonah obeyed God's call to preach in Nineveh. This shows us the importance of obedience to God's mission in our lives. What does it mean for you to follow God's mission in your life?
How have you Served, Invested and Invited in your communities this week? (Let’s share about this again next week)
How have you got on with making a list and praying for your non-believing friends each day? (Let’s share about this again next week)
Let’s now pray for specific people that God has put on your heart and in your life.
Let’s pray for each other that the Spirit would fill us with His resurrection power so as to be compassionate and courageous this week.
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