In the belly of the fish!

Second Chances Week 2

Purpose: The book of Jonah shows us that God is a merciful and gracious God, even when we are disobedient. The purpose for this session is to acknowledge our reality and to express our faith and trust in God, despite the circumstances around us.

Worship: Listen to the song throughout the week or at group “I raise a hallelujah by Bethel Worship”. Share with God what is going on around you, take a moment of silence and then “raise a hallelujah” in thanks for what God is about to do or has done in your life.

Check-In: Share how you were able to reach out to those you are praying for with mercy and grace in the past week.

Bible Reading: Read Jonah chapter 2 in various translations, Romans 8:28

Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:

  1. Read Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2:1-10. What elements do you see in his prayer? Share one or two words that would best describe how you view prayer and what would make your prayer life more meaningful.
  2. Identify where you are against the following criteria:
    – I’m running away from God, going down…
    – I’m running to God in surrender
    – I’m running with God in reaching others with His compassion
    Share with the group which one you’ve chosen and why.
  3. “God doesn’t waste anything for His purposes”. How could you use your current circumstances for God’s purposes?
  4. What can you learn from Jonah’s experience? What is revealed about God in this chapter? How will you apply this to your life? Read Romans 8:28.
  5. People are waiting for you to show them God’s love and grace.” How could you do that with those you connect with?

Check out and Prayer time:
Barbie said in her personal story, “I believe God can reach anyone”. Who is your “anyone” that you’ve wondered if God can reach? Ask your group to add them to their prayer list

Take this opportunity to spend time in silence and then ask God to give you the grace to do what you need to do ____________ .

Others:
Personal, your 1-one-1: Some questions to ask ourselves:

  • How is my heart moved with compassion and love for those around me?
  • Consider who God is asking you to “build a bridge” with, ask God to help you.

Prayer:

  • For those who are struggling to find employment and for financial provision.
  • For healing for those facing illness and COVID.
  • For our students as they write exams.
  • For wisdom for the leadership as we look at gathering again across ministries.
  • For our President and Government for wisdom in leading our Nation.

Practical:

  • Invite your friends and family to join you at your home for church online https://edgechurchedgemead.online.church/
  • Justin shared during giving from John 6:9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” From this story, he noted that:

    Our consistency and faithfulness is the breeding ground for a miracle. All the young boy did was take his lunch with him like he did every day, and this was the platform Jesus used to bless many people. God will multiply our consistent giving in this season to bless others.

    A little in the hands of God is more than enough. We may think, “God, this much won’t be of any value, so I won’t tithe”. But we see what God can, and wants to do, with the little that we do have!

    Let’s consider what God is saying to us about our giving to Him in this new season.

Daily Practices to follow:

Memorize Jonah 2:9 (NLT). Read this verse daily, and journal what God is saying to you about how you can be strong and courageous in Him.

For personal study, here are some suggested YouVersion devotionals:

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