Jonah & Stubbornness

Colorful Characters Lenten Journey, 2025

Discussion Guide #2

19 March 2025

Dear Faith Friend,

God’s blessings on the first full week of our Lenten journey. Please use the following as a personal devotional or a small group discussion guide.

If you are searching for a Color Crew discussion group, feel free to join those led by Pastor Fritz: Wednesdays at 7 PM in Conference Room after 6.30 devotional. Or Thursday via Zoom. ID: 889-1717-8375. Password: color.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18.20

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12.15

Let’s Get Started!

Let’s warm up. Share your name and what service at COS you attend most frequently. In honor of Jonah, share one time when you were on a boat.

Opening prayer:

Thanks God for gathering us together for these fun and holy 30 minutes. We know our world can feel pretty gray at times. Thanks for helping us feel more colorful when your Spirit gathers us in your Word, promises, and people. Bless this devotional time together that the story of biblical character might lend color and clarity to our own faith journey with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discuss:

For fun, do you have a boating story when the water got rough?
Initially, Jonah refuses to complete God’s request. While God wants Jonah to head to Ninevah to preach, Jonah heads the opposite direction to Tarsus. Jonah thinks he knows better than God. Have you ever ignored God’s assignments for you?
Jonah might have thought that the Ninevites were some of the “smelliest, meanest, ugliest, dirtiest” people around. Who are the groups today often spoken of in this judgmental way?
Jonah is very stubborn in his refusal to go to Ninevah. But what is an example in life when stubborness is healthy?
What is an example in life when stubbornness is harmful?
In his sermon, Pastor Fritz pointed out that Jonah was stingy and stubborn when he finally made it to Ninevah. He shared only 8 words: “Forty days more and Ninevah shall be overthrown.” How generous are you in sharing God’s hope with others? How many words per week do you actually share for such sharing?
What makes sharing God’s hope with others easy or hard?
Check out this testimony about Jonah and stubbornness from Ken Gillespie.
Ken Gillespie, in his video testimony, admitted to a time as a young military serviceman when his stubbornness blinded him to how he was offending others. Ken concludes, “If you’re going to grow as a human being, you need to be open to other people’s ideas.” What’s your reaction?
Pastor Fritz’s “Jonah” on Sunday shared how God challenged Jonah to understand why he cares about all God’s children and not just the religiously plugged-in. God taught Jonah by allowing him to love a wonderful shade bush for 24 hours, but sending a worm to kill the bush. Jonah challenged everyone that if we are only “8-word people” like Jonah in our inaction about inviting others to church, that Christian congregations might wither like the bush. Your thoughts and reactions?
Are you a “Ninevite” in the eyes of anyone else? Is there anything you could do to correct that perception?
Bonus question: What hasn’t been explored in this discussion that you would like to share?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thanks again for these holy moments, either by myself or with this small group of friends. Thanks for your stubborn servant, Jonah. Cure us of our stubbornness. Help us to trust that when we execute your mission for us, good things will happen. When our lives feel gray may you infuse them–when you see fit—with an awareness of color and new conviction of your love and purpose in our lives. Lead us this holy Lenten journey to your Son and his cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks everyone!

See you at tonight’s Lenten dinner at 5:30pm & the worship service directly following dinner at 6:30pm!

P.S. Here is a printer-friendly discussion guide that may be easier for groups to use!