D. Win One City

Jonah 4:11 – Strength

Jonah 4:11

But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?

It is always encouraging to look at the book of Jonah.  We see that God’s plan will prevail and he will use even his stubborn people to get the job done.  Why is God so merciful to allow an entire city to repent?  Because He is a God of love and in that He wants us to love each other.  To understand that God was concerned in saving an entire city, despite their total lack of spiritual depth, gives me great hope about our city.

One Night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him. “Don’t be afraid!” Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong  to me.  So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half teaching the word of God. Acts 18:9-11

• Why was Paul told to speak out and preach the Gospel?
• How was Paul to know which people belonged to God:

o   By waiting until they came to church?

o   By going out into the city and preach?

o   By seeing who responded to God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus?

o   How long did Paul stay there looking for God’s people?

o   Did Paul spend time in church working on ways to entertain the Corinthians so that they would like the Gospel and start giving money to the building program?

The first servant reported a tremendous gain-ten times as much as the original amount! “Well done!” the king exclaimed. “You are a trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted you, so you will be the governor of ten cities as your reward.” Luke 19:16-17

• What is your opinion about this text?
• What will happen to you on judgment day?

o   Nothing because I did nothing for Him.

o   He doesn’t do anything for me so I am not doing anything for him.

o   I went to church when I was born and also when I was married. (I have been very faithful to God and I will also go to church when I am buried.)

o   I believe that I will be judged for only serving God on Sundays.

o   I might receive a little village to take care of with just a few people in it.

o   If I get rewards it is only because God saved me; it is all undeserved.

Let’s take a look at how God used Jonah to win the city of Nineveh to Himself.

The Book of Jonah

In the book of Jonah we are reminded that God is in total control of all.  He is in control of nature and beast.   We learn that when God wants something accomplished, He will do it in the manner He chooses.  When we say No to God, it can lead to a sudden disaster.   We learn that God may ask us to leave our homes and go preach the Gospel somewhere else, even to a people that we hate!  God does not want us to focus on only one nation since all nations belong to Him and everyone needs repentance.   When Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh they repented, unlike the hardened people of Israel.   This was a great problem for Israel because they had become so proud and self righteous.  They had ceased to show God’s mercy to lost people.   God does not honor pretense or vain words.  We learn from Israel that refusing to repent shows us that we too can be more attached to our sin than God.  Finally, we learn that God’s message of love and forgiveness was not held for the Jewish nation alone.  Even though the Assyrians were very wicked, God showed mercy on them.   God loves us very much and wants to forgive us for every sin that we have ever committed.  Do you know that He loves you?  Do you believe He loves others as much?

Read Jonah chapter one (Jonah runs from the Lord)

Discuss the following, according to this chapter.

• What did God ask Jonah to do?
• What did Jonah do?
• What happened to the ship that Jonah was in?
• What was Jonah doing at this time?
• How did Jonah describe himself?
• Did the storm get better when Jonah told the truth?
• What was Jonah’s solution to the problem?
• What did the sailors do instead?
• What did the sailors say to God before they cast Jonah into the sea?
• How long did it take the storm to stop?
• Did the sailors begin to believe in God?
• What did God do to show His mercy on Jonah, who was now drowning in the sea?

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. – T / F

Jonah packed his bags and immediately went to Nineveh. – T / F

Jonah thought we could hide from God. – T / F

The storm had no connection to Jonah’s disobedience. – T / F

Jonah identified himself as a Hebrew who worshiped God. – T / F

The storm stopped after Jonah said that he believed in God. – T / F

Jonah’s sin affected the others on the boat. – T / F

Jonah was able to sleep without even thinking about the others. – T / F

The sailor said, “Don’t make us die for this man’s sin.” – T / F

The Gospel demands that we pay for our own sins. – T / F

The Gospel is, “One man died for all our sins.” – T / F

Once the sailors listened and obeyed, the storm stopped. – T / F

Jonah now has no way of being saved. – T / F

Because of Jonah’s disobedience, the people in Nineveh will be lost forever. – T / F

Read Jonah chapter two (Jonah’s Prayer)

Discuss the following, according this chapter:

• What did Jonah finally do?
• Where did Jonah say he was when he cried out to God?
• What did Jonah start to miss in his life?
• Describe in detail what was happening to Jonah?
• After he lost all hope what did he finally do?
• What kind of prayer did he now give God?
• Do you believe he was sincere? Why?
• What did Jonah say about those who refuse to follow other gods?
• What about those who turn their backs on God?
• Did Jonah have a change of heart?
• How can you tell?

Jonah was thankful to God that he did not die. – T / F

This proves that Jonah was a true believer. – T / F

God was completely in control of this situation (fish, man, nature). – T / F

The situation was completely out of Jonah’s control. – T / F

Only God’s mercy could save Jonah. – T / F

If Jonah had begun to do more good things than bad things, God might have saved him. – T / F

Jonah lost all hope. – T / F

Life inside the fish was fine and there was no need for Jonah to repent. – T / F

Jonah said that if God is really there, He should send a sign to prove it. – T / F

Jonah realized it was his own sin that he was drowning in and cried out to God. – T / F

Jonah said it was no problem if people worshipped other gods. – T / F

Jonah said that salvation comes from God alone. – T / F

The city of Nineveh was completely aware of all that God had done to save them. – T / F

Nineveh is still in danger of God’s judgment because of their wickedness. – T / F

Read Jonah chapter three (Jonah goes to Nineveh)

Discuss the following, according to this chapter:

• Did God change the instructions and make them easier or give Jonah the exact same message as before?
• Why do you think this time Jonah decided to obey God?
• How big was the city of Nineveh?
• What was Jonah’s message to the Ninevites?
• How did they respond?
• How did the King of the city respond?
• What was the decree that went out from this king?
• What were they hoping to avoid if they repented?
• How did the king define repentance?
• What was God’s response to what He saw the people doing?
• Why is it significant that He showed mercy on them?
• If Jonah would have been obedient to God how many chapters would be in this book?
• Was Jonah sent to Nineveh to benefit only the people?  Did he benefit?

Jonah was very proud of being an Israelite and was correct to judge other nations for their sin. – T / F

Jonah hated Nineveh and enjoyed preaching that they would be destroyed in forty days. – T / F

Jonah’s message was that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. – T / F

Jonah started the “National Bible Reading Campaign” in order to get people interested in reading their Bibles. – T / F

God asked Jonah to simply warn the people in the city that in forty days they would be destroyed. – T / F

If someone really believes in God’s wrath they will be humbled and repent of their sin. – T / F

We shouldn’t waste time witnessing to government officials. – T / F

God had said that He would judge the city, so even as they repented of their sin, he was bound to carry out this terrible judgment after 40 days. – T / F

Read Jonah chapter four (Jonah’s Anger at God’s mercy)

• Discuss the following, according to this chapter:
• How did this change of plans affect Jonah?
• Why does he say he went to Tarshish in the first place?
• How does Jonah describe our God?
• Why was Jonah angry & disappointed with God?
• What did Jonah do to see if God would still punish the city?
• What did God do for Jonah at this time?
• What was the lesson God taught Jonah by sending a worm to him?
• Was Jonah more upset about the worm and the plant or the possibility of the entire city of Nineveh perishing and being sent to hell?
• Why did God say that He would spare Nineveh?
• What was Jonah’s reaction to God’s lesson?

Jonah was only happy when he thought God was going to judge people. – T / F

Jonah really hated the grace and mercy that God showed to others. – T / F

God is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. – T / F

It was very difficult for God to stop His plans for Judgment because He hates people. – T / F

Jonah was more worried about his reputation as a preacher than the souls of people. – T / F

Jonah went outside the city to wait and see if God still might judge the city. – T / F

God showed mercy on Jonah and provided shade from the sun. – T / F

God tried to teach Jonah a lesson with the worm and the plant. – T / F

God explained to Jonah why He wanted to spare the entire city since he owed him an explanation. – T / F

Jonah was self-centered, self-righteous, and full of judgment. – T / F

Jonah forgot how God had saved him and was now an enemy of Grace. – T / F