August 11, 2024
How Not To Talk To Your Friends About Jesus | Jonah 2
In The Belly Of The Beast
What do you do when you’re between a rock and a hard place? Jonah the prophet, did what most of us do—he prayed. Even though he was running from God and was prepared to die rather than obey what God had called him to do, when push came to shove, Jonah prayed. Prayer is a powerful thing to do when you want and need your life to change.
Songs for this week: Spotify
- When was the last time you were between a rock and a hard place? Share that story and how you responded in that moment.
- “God provided a huge fish." This was likely not the type of rescue Jonah had in mind. Has God ever used a tough situation (and maybe some tight quarters!) to help you gain a clearer perspective on life? Explain.
- “I have been banished from Your sight.” What would be the most honest prayer you could offer to God right now? Take a moment to reflect, then share your prayer with the group.
- "But You, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.” Many people think that faith in God will give them what they want, but God often has something much better in mind. Have you experienced this in your own life?
- Write a fuller prayer - one that is honest and transparent before God, asking for His intervention and surrendering all outcomes into His hands. Consider sharing your prayer with someone else.
Share with a friend
Recent Sermons
Colossians 4:2-9 - Prayer isn’t meant to be an afterthought—it’s an invitation to stay connected to God. Paul’s final words challenge us to pray with purpose, keep our eyes open for what God is doing, and look for opportunities to share Jesus. A great way to wrap up a letter—and launch us into the world God loves.
Colossians 3:18-4:1 -Paul closes his letter by showing how following Jesus transforms our everyday relationships—with spouses, children, parents, employees, and employers—and calls us to care for one another with kindness.
Colossians 3:12-17-Sometimes Christianity gets known for what we don’t do. But Paul points us toward something better: how we live, love, and treat one another. What marks a genuine Christian community? It all starts with who God is and how deeply He loves us.
Colossians 3:5-11-Paul points to two areas that reveal who we are at the deepest level: sex and speech. The path to health and freedom isn’t harsh rules or self-focus, but staying close to Jesus, knowing him and growing in him. Christianity isn’t harsh rules; it’s a vibrant friendship.
Colossians 2:20-3:4 - Religious baggage can pull us in all kinds of directions—from expecting God to fit our preferences to trying to earn His approval. Paul’s message to the Colossians was simple: stop guessing what God wants and get back to the core of Christianity—Jesus.
Colossians 2:13-19 - Humans have a problem that we can’t save ourselves from—not through secular programs or religious systems. The good news of Jesus is that on the cross, Jesus dealt with it all. In him we are alive, forgiven, and free!
