Jonah Series - Ignoring God's Call

June 1, 2008 - Rev. Rurel Ausley, Rev. Greg McKinnon

SCRIPTURE
Jonah 1:1-3
"1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD." NIV

OUTLINE

I. To hear God's Call You Have to Know His Voice
1:1 "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai."
II. You Have to Leave Your Comfort Zone to Follow God's Call
1:2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
III. When You Ignore God's Call You End Up Going in the Opposite Direction
1:3a "But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port."
IV. There is Always a Price Associated with Running from God
1:3b "After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD."

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you think the story of Jonah is a real story? Why or why not?

2. Do you think God still talks to people today? If so how?

3. What are some ways that we can get to know God's voice so that we can distinguish it from all the other voices around us.

4. In John 10:2-5 Jesus used the illustration of a shepherd and his sheep to describe his relationship with his followers. He said, "my sheep follow me because they know my voice, but they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." NIV

How can the 100's of voices all around us (like the voices of conformity, convenience, materialism, and caution) become so familiar to us that we recognize them all too easily? What can we do to keep this from happening?

5. What are some examples that you see in society in general of folks who have lost their moral compass? Have you known Christians who have lost their sense of right and wrong? If so, how do you think they came to that point?

6. Do you believe the Bible should be the definitive place we go as Christians to decide what is right and what is wrong? Why or why not? Read 2 Timothy 3:16. How does this verse support or contradict your own belief about the Bible's authority?

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right." NLT

7. How have you personally experienced God calling you to leave your comfort zone as you have sought to do his will? Were you able to step out of your comfort zone? Why or why not?

8. Does knowing what you know about the people of Nineveh, change your understanding of Jonah's reluctance to follow God's call? If you were in Jonah's shoes, what do you think you would have done?

9. When you hear about people like Mary & Joe Sirico who are responding to God's call and stepping out in faith, what do you think? Do you think you could do the same thing if God were to call you to leave everything behind and go to the mission field?

10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why?

You don't just ignore God's voice and stay where you are. Ignoring God's voice over time causes you to go in the totally opposite direction of where God wants you to go.

11. Do you think it is possible for someone to be running from God without knowing it?

12. Why is there always a price associated with running from God? Do you know of someone close to you who is paying that price right now? Have you personally ever paid a high price for ignoring God's voice?

13. In John 10:10 it says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." NIV How have you experienced "life to the full" due to your relationship with God?

14. If you were trying to explain John 10:10 to someone who is not a Christ-follower, what would you say?