FFC’s Winter Series Study Guide – Introduction

Jonah 1-4 (Jan 4)

Jonah is a short book. Just four chapters. 48 verses in all. Yet, a powerful story
unfolds that relays to us the compassionate character of God, not only towards
those who haven’t heard and don’t believe, but also towards those who are called
to go and tell because we do believe. Yes, God’s incredible commitment to
salvation and sanctification is rooted in his great compassion. Truly, it is because
he loves us that he refuses to leave us in places of secrecy and shame. His
willingness to expose us and free us from the prison of our excuses is for our own
good and his ultimate glory. Jonah is proof positive.
In this series through Jonah we will have just such an opportunity as well: for
God to expose our own excuses and root out our own unwillingness to be his voice.
His hands. His feet. And as God does that week after week, it is my prayer that you
will embrace the love God has for you. After all, he disciplines us for our own good!
So rest in God’s commitment to your sanctification, and rejoice that he is
unashamedly persistent in using us in his global redemptive plan.

Series Tips and Reminders

1. January 4 is an introductory week, so I encourage you to look at the book of Jonah as a whole. Consider reading
it from start to finish as a group. Maybe even have the children in your Lighthouse act out part of the narrative.
Make some general observations about the book that will set the tone for the entire series.

2. We will be spending three weeks in each chapter, but you will only receive one study guide per chapter. The
questions on each study guide are there to help you begin conversation and discussion, but continue to
customize your plan to the needs of the group by writing your own questions and developing your own themes
and emphases for individual lessons. The questions on the study guide are not in any order by dates. Feel free to
use any one of them on any week during our focus on that particular chapter.

3. Each study guide is dated at the top with three Sundays, and beside each date are the verses in focus from that
chapter for that week. You are welcome to track along with me exactly, or more generally. In other words, you
do not have to stay in those exact verses on the same weeks I do, but I do ask that you stay in the same chapter.
Please follow along accordingly by chapter.

4. All study guides will be available on our Web site, and may be updated regularly as well. It may be helpful to
check there often and see if a particular study guide has received any “upgrades.”

5. This series will lead in well to the Easter season, not only textually (Jonah being a type of Christ’s resurrection),
but also practically in that God’s heart for lost people is so clearly seen throughout the whole book. Find ways to
regularly emphasize to your Lighthouse the need to relate to lost people biblically, love them unconditionally,
invite them to FFC enthusiastically, and pray for them relentlessly.

6. Continue to stay Scripture-focused, not sermon-focused. While what I say might help you at times in leading
your group, please avoid rehashing the message. Go to the text and allow the Holy Spirit to do even more with
the Word of God!
Extra Hints
 Jonahs’ world underwent massive upheaval, didn’t it? As God began to unfold his plan, everything changed. This
simple principle has great implications for First Family! As we look at creating more space for the people God is
bringing to us, we must be willing to embrace an “everything changes” attitude. This is one thing we have done
well for the four years of our existence, and perhaps that is one reason God continues to favor us. Maybe he
sees in us hands that hold very loosely to logistics (times, place, etc.) and a heart that holds on to his values
tightly (celebrating, growing, and serving). Lay groundwork with your group early on that Easter may hold some
more changes for FFC. But how important it is that we, like Jonah, do whatever it takes to get the message out.
Even more appropriate is the personal aspect of this implication: What is God asking me to change for the sake
of those who do not know? When we are finally willing to put it all on the altar – when we can say with a willing
heart, “Everything changes from here on out!” – we will begin to see God’s power like never before!

 Just about everyone likes the Capital One commercial that ends with the question, “What’s in your wallet?”
Consider asking your group, “Who’s in your wallet?” For Jonah, Ninevah was! And though initially he didn’t like
that fact, God continued t o put those people “in his back pocket” and call him to reach out to them with the
saving message of grace. Encourage your group to identify people that God is laying on their heart – friends,
relatives, co-workers they could begin to pray for and invite to FFC, especially around Easter.

My Additional Notes