Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Jonah 4), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-3] The Book of Jonah is, largely, a story of Jonah’s self-righteousness. He condemns God for being gracious to bad people, and he can’t live with himself for being someone like this. We all struggle with self-righteousness sometimes. What is self-righteousness? Why is it a problem for us? Why does it lead us to condemn others? Can you think of times when you might have condemned God himself? Do you enjoy your bouts of self-righteousness? Why would we continue in self-righteousness if it is so distasteful to us? Do you find freedom in the Gospel, in your relationship with Jesus, to be able to talk (or even laugh) about your own self-righteousness? Can you think of ways it might be helpful to refer to your sins like this in order to tell others about how good Jesus is?

• [4-9] God arranges this uncomfortable conversation for Jonah’s good, to confront Jonah with the reality of their relationship. The mere fact that God continues to engage Jonah in conversation at all is remarkable. Why? Can you think of other times in the Bible when God arranged for difficult conversations with sinners? Can you think of times in your own life when God made life unpleasant, in order to engage with you? How do you feel about him doing things like this?

• [9-11] God pities very bad people. When God the Son was on the cross, he revealed God’s pity when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Does it seem right for God to forgive very bad people? Does it seem right to say that very bad people don’t know what they’re doing? Are there some people in particular you think are simply beyond God’s pity? Do you think it was easier for Jesus to die for some people than for others? Do you embrace, celebrate, and herald God’s pity toward you? Is there any substantial difference between you and the very worst people? Can you celebrate God’s pity toward others without comparing yourself to them?