Spiritual Rehab

We are continuing a 6-week sermon series on The Book of Jonah by Eric Mason on RightNow Media. Jonah is one of the twelve minor prophets. The book is small in size but it is power-packed to impact your life.

"Read Jonah 3: 6-10.

1. What did you think about Pastor Mick’s example using a modern- day Washington D.C. to help us understand what Jonah was doing? How does that help us better understand that it was God doing the “heavy lifting” in Jonah’s proclamation?

2. Was the king’s response something you would expect? If not, why not? How would you expect a typical king to react?

3. Pastor Mick said the actions taken by the Ninevites and the king were typical of grief and mourning, but in this case it was more than that. What was it? (Hint: it starts with the letter “R”)

4. In the video, Eric Mason says, “Repentance is supposed to take you out of your spiritually incarcerated state, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is what God utilizes to rehabilitate you.” What did he mean by that? How are we “incarcerated”? How are we “rehabilitated”?

5. Pastor Mick talked about how sometimes even good things can become sin for us. What did he mean by that? What were some examples he gave? Can you think of other examples from your own life?

6. Mason says, “Repentance does not earn you forgiveness. It acknowledges your need for God’s forgiveness.” What does this mean to you?

7. When you read the Jonah story, do you relate more to Jonah or the Ninevites? How can this story help us today, both individually and collectively?

8. Read Joel 2: 12-14 and 2 Chronicles 7: 14. How might these passages relate to today’s passage from Jonah? How do all of these passages speak to you today?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, your Word tells us that if we, your people, who are called by your name, will humble ourselves and pray and seek your face and turn from our wicked ways, then you will hear from heaven, and you will forgive our sin and you will heal our land. This is ourprayer, O Lord. Thank you for the gift of discomfort. Thank you for the gift of repentance. Thank you for the gift of your grace. Thank you for Jesus, who took the punishment we deserve, so we can live eternally in your Holy Presence. We pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen."