God’s Love is Bigger Than Our Grudges
Study Guide
Opening Question: Share a time when you struggled to forgive someone. What made it difficult?
Key Takeaways:
1. God's character is unchanging - He is always compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
2. We often love grace when it's for us but struggle when it's for our enemies.
3. Unforgiveness and resentment can prevent us from fully experiencing God's goodness.
4. Understanding God's love requires an understanding of our own sin.
5. Forgiveness is a non-negotiable aspect of following Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Jonah's reaction to God's mercy towards Nineveh reflect attitudes we might have today?
2. The sermon states, "When God's Goodness begins to include those that we resent, Grace enters scandalous territory." How have you seen this play out in your own life or in society?
3. Discuss the difference between Moses' and Jonah's responses to God's character. What can we learn from this contrast?
4. How does holding onto unforgiveness affect our relationship with God and others?
5. The pastor mentions that "Jonah didn't understand HIS sin, and Jonah didn't understand God's love." How are these two concepts related?
6. Reflect on the statement: "Every area of unforgiveness that we maintain is an area that we have postured ourselves against Yahweh." What does this mean for our spiritual lives?
7. How does Jesus' example of forgiveness challenge and inspire us?
Practical Applications:
1. Self-reflection: Take time this week to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of unforgiveness in your life.
2. Forgiveness exercise: Write down the name of someone you're struggling to forgive. Pray for them daily this week, asking God to help you see them through His eyes.
3. Memorize the description of God's character: "The Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love" (Exodus 34:6). Reflect on this daily.
4. Share your story: Like Jonah, consider sharing a personal story of struggle with forgiveness and how God worked in your life.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's character is unchanging - He is always compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
2. We often love grace when it's for us but struggle when it's for our enemies.
3. Unforgiveness and resentment can prevent us from fully experiencing God's goodness.
4. Understanding God's love requires an understanding of our own sin.
5. Forgiveness is a non-negotiable aspect of following Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Jonah's reaction to God's mercy towards Nineveh reflect attitudes we might have today?
2. The sermon states, "When God's Goodness begins to include those that we resent, Grace enters scandalous territory." How have you seen this play out in your own life or in society?
3. Discuss the difference between Moses' and Jonah's responses to God's character. What can we learn from this contrast?
4. How does holding onto unforgiveness affect our relationship with God and others?
5. The pastor mentions that "Jonah didn't understand HIS sin, and Jonah didn't understand God's love." How are these two concepts related?
6. Reflect on the statement: "Every area of unforgiveness that we maintain is an area that we have postured ourselves against Yahweh." What does this mean for our spiritual lives?
7. How does Jesus' example of forgiveness challenge and inspire us?
Practical Applications:
1. Self-reflection: Take time this week to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of unforgiveness in your life.
2. Forgiveness exercise: Write down the name of someone you're struggling to forgive. Pray for them daily this week, asking God to help you see them through His eyes.
3. Memorize the description of God's character: "The Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love" (Exodus 34:6). Reflect on this daily.
4. Share your story: Like Jonah, consider sharing a personal story of struggle with forgiveness and how God worked in your life.
Posted in Jonah