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Diving Deep: Discovering Gods Compassion in the Storm

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Title: Diving Deep: Discovering God’s Compassion in the Storm

Introduction:
Today, we are diving into the story of Jonah. Many of us know the basics: Jonah was swallowed by a big fish after trying to run away from God. But there’s so much more to this story! It’s not just about the storm, the fish, or even Jonah himself. It’s about God’s incredible compassion and how He calls us to respond to that love, especially when we are in the midst of our own storms.

Key Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17, 2:1-10, 3:1-10

Lesson Points:

  1. The Call and the Storm:

    • Jonah received a clear command from God to go to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction, trying to escape from God’s call.
    • When you think about it, we often face our own storms when we try to avoid what God is asking of us. Maybe it’s sharing our faith with a friend, standing up for what is right, or loving someone who is unlovable.
    • When Jonah chose to run, a storm arose. This reminds us that disobedience can lead to turmoil in our lives. But even in our storms, God is compassionate.

  2. God’s Pursuit:

    • In the middle of the storm, Jonah was asleep in the ship, unaware of the chaos around him. It took the crew discovering Jonah’s identity and situation to bring him to face the reality of his choices.
    • God didn’t abandon Jonah. Instead, He sent a storm to wake him up! Sometimes, when we are trying to avoid God, He uses our circumstances to grab our attention. It’s a reminder of His relentless love—He doesn’t give up on us.
    • Jesus often spoke of the lost sheep, emphasizing that God goes to great lengths to bring us back to Him. Jonah’s story reflects that same nature of God.

  3. Repentance and Redemption:

    • After being thrown into the sea, Jonah was swallowed by a giant fish, where he spent three days and nights. This was a turning point for Jonah—he prayed and repented in the belly of the fish.
    • This teaches us that God always welcomes us back, no matter how far we stray or how deep we dive into our own mistakes. Repentance is our way of returning to the path God desires for us, filled with His purpose.
    • We must remember that God’s compassion is always available to us, and it’s often in our darkest moments that we come to know Him the most.

  4. Sharing God’s Compassion:

    • After God saved Jonah, he obeyed and went to Nineveh to deliver God’s message. The people of Nineveh, seeing their wickedness, repented, and God spared them.
    • This part of the story teaches us that God cares not just for us, but also for those around us. His compassion is not just for the "good" people but extends to the lost and broken.
    • As followers of Christ, we are called to share this message of hope and compassion with others, even those we may think are undeserving.

Conclusion:
Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder that God is compassionate, always chasing after us, even when we run. No matter what storms we face, God is there to comfort, redirect, and ultimately use us for His purpose. Let’s learn from Jonah’s experience: instead of running from God, let’s dive deep into His love and share that compassion with the world around us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt like running away from what God is asking you to do? How did that turn out?
  2. In what ways can we show God’s compassion to those around us, especially during difficult times?
  3. What storms have you faced that led you to a deeper understanding of God’s love and compassion?

You Might Enjoy: Jonah: Big Fish, Big Lesson | Examining the Story of Jonah: A Critical Overview |

Questions for Lesson

1. In the story of Jonah, what lesson does he learn about God’s compassion and mercy towards others, even those we may think are undeserving?

2. How does Jonah’s initial reaction to God’s call reflect our own tendencies to avoid difficult situations, and how can we combat that in our own lives?

3. Personal Reflection: When have you felt like Jonah, running away from something God was calling you to do? How did you respond, and what was the outcome?

4. Quiz Question: What city was Jonah called to proclaim God’s message of repentance (Answer: Nineveh)?

5. Jonah experienced a storm during his journey. How can storms in our own lives serve as opportunities for growth and a deeper understanding of God’s compassion?

6. Personal Reflection: How can you show compassion to someone you find difficult to love, similar to how God showed compassion to the people of Nineveh?

Scriptures

– Psalm 46:1-3
– Isaiah 41:10
– Matthew 8:23-27
– John 14:27
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
– Psalm 34:18
– Romans 8:28
– James 1:2-4
– Lamentations 3:22-23
– Matthew 14:22-33

Worship Music for LEsson

1. “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED
2. “Eye of the Storm” by Ryan Stevenson
3. “Peace” by Hillsong Young & Free
4. “Even If” by MercyMe

Object Lesson

Title: Diving Deep: Discovering God’s Compassion in the Storm

**Objective:** This illustration aims to engage teens in understanding the story of Jonah and the depth of God’s compassion, especially during life’s storms.

**Props Needed:**

1. A large, inflatable beach ball (to represent the ocean).
2. A blue sheet or tarp (to represent water).
3. A bucket filled with water (to demonstrate the storm).
4. A toy whale or large blue balloon (to symbolize the fish that swallowed Jonah).
5. Posters with key phrases from Jonah 1-2 (e.g., “Running from God,” “God’s Compassion,” “Repentance”).
6. Flashlights or colored LED lights (to represent hope and light).
7. A life-jacket or floatation device (to emphasize safety in God’s care).
8. Small foam balls or bean bags (to represent the stormy waves).

**Presentation Steps:**

1. **Set Up the Scene:**
– Lay out the blue sheet on the floor to create an ocean surface.
– Inflate the beach ball and place it in the center of the “ocean.”
– Position the bucket of water nearby, filled with a little water for a dramatic effect when demonstrating the storm.

2. **Introduce the Story:**
– Gather the teens and introduce the topic: “Today, we’ll dive deep into the story of Jonah and explore God’s compassion, especially during our storms.”
– Hold up the inflatable beach ball and say, “Imagine Jonah’s journey starting here, on this ocean. He tried to escape from God, but God had a plan.”

3. **Dramatic Storm Simulation:**
– As you mention Jonah’s flight on a ship, take the small foam balls or bean bags and toss them around the “ocean” to simulate stormy waves.
– Ask a few students to help with the storm: they can hold the beach ball and shake it while pretending to be tossed by the waves.
– Use the bucket of water to splash a little on the edge of the sheet for dramatic effect.

4. **Illustrate Jonah’s Prayer:**
– With the plush whale or balloon nearby, say, “Jonah was thrown overboard, but God sent a big fish to save him.”
– Show how the whale can be an instrument of God’s compassion. Even in the depths of the ocean, God’s presence was with Jonah.
– Invite a volunteer to sit on the sheet as you describe Jonah’s time in the whale. You can dim the lights and use flashlights to create a “dark” space, talking about how Jonah felt alone but cried out to God.

5. **Message of God’s Compassion:**
– Pull out the posters with key phrases. Discuss how God’s compassion wasn’t just for Jonah but for the people of Nineveh too.
– Emphasize that God’s mercy is for everyone. Use the life-jacket prop to show that, just like a life-jacket provides safety, God’s compassion protects us during storms.

6. **Conclusion and Reflection:**
– Conclude by saying, “Jonah learned that no matter how far he ran, God was always there, waiting to show compassion.”
– Encourage teens to think about their own storms and how they can rely on God’s compassion. Invite them to share a time they felt God’s presence in their struggles (if comfortable).
– As a final activity, have everyone turn on their flashlights or colored LED lights and raise them high, representing hope and light amidst the storms.

This interactive illustration will help your teens connect with the story of Jonah on a personal level, allowing them to discover God’s compassion in their own lives, especially when they feel overwhelmed.

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Possible Viewpont: Evangelical Christian
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