Hey HMC Youth!  

The passage for this week is Jonah 4:5-11, take some time to read it and connect with God.  

As Jonah sat east of Nineveh waiting to see what would become of the city, I imagine he felt a sense of self-righteousness.  Sure Jonah messed up once in a while, but he tried, and ultimately he knew and trusted God.  He also knew the Ninevites, and that their true nature would once again show.  Then, God in His perfection would have to being judgement on their wickedness.  

As we enjoy the comforts of God’s blessings or “shade plants” in our lives, we can be tempted to look at the hard-to-love people in our lives with judgment, waiting for God to give them what they deserve.  If we become more concerned with the comfort of our life over the eternal salvation of others we may not like, we have misunderstood God’s love.  Jonah waited and watched from outside the city, probably not wanting to get caught up in God’s judgement of the Ninvevites.  Contrast that with Jesus, who came to us while we were sinners just like the Ninevites.  Jesus didn’t deliver the message of what we should and shouldn’t do and take off.  He invested himself into our lives, and guided us on the way.  And when we failed to measure up to God’s standard, rather than duck out of the way, Jesus took the full punishment and wrath of God for us.

As we come to the end of our Jonah study, let’s think about how we can show our enemies God’s love.  Instead of telling our enemies what we stand against in relation to them, let’s tell them what we stand for so we can point them towards salvation.

1.    After reading the text, what thoughts or details jump out at you right away?
2.    Spend a bit of time praying about and reflecting on the text.  What is God bringing to your attention?
3.    How does this passage apply to your life?

See you Friday!