What To Do When You're In A Mess (Jonah 1)

 Begin by having everyone share their favorite part of the book of Jonah.

As a group, read Jonah chapter 2. (have one person read the whole thing or take turns reading each verse)

Look at some of Jonah's descriptions of the mess he was in. Use the questions below to talk about how you have experienced the same kind of feelings:

- When have you been distressed?

- When have you felt like you were drowning?

- When have you felt like life was fainting away?

What would you say to someone who is feeling this way? How would you pray for someone who is feeling this way?

Read verse 9 again. Why is gratitude helpful in difficult times? How does it change our mindset or perspective?

Have you ever made a vow to God? How would your life be different if you simply vowed to be obedient to Him?

Think about the phrase, "Salvation belongs to the LORD"?

- How does it make you feel?

- What does it make you want to do?

- How should it impact your attitude?

- How should it impact your relationships?

What is your next step this week? How can this group help you and pray for you?

Call On The Name Of The Lord (Romans 10)

Talk about a time when something so good happened to you that you couldn't wait to tell others about it.

Read Romans 10:9-13.

How would you summarize these verses in one sentence?

Do you think that internal beliefs always produce external actions? Why or why not?

How would you describe the internal beliefs of Christianity?

How would you describe the external actions of Christianity?

Why is it important to believe in the resurrection? Why does the resurrection matter?

What do you think it means to "confess that Jesus is Lord"?

Talk about what it should look like if Jesus is Lord in the following areas of your life:

- Mind

- Word

- Attitude

- Choices

- Finances

- Career

- Relationships

- Future

Which of these areas is the greatest struggle for you? Why?

What steps can you take this week to submit every area of your life to Christ's lordship?

How can this group pray for you? 

Love the Lord your God (Mark 12:29-30)

What is a good change you made in your life this past year?

What is one change you want to make in your life in the new year?

On a scale of 1-10, how aligned are your priorities with God's priorities?

From the following list, which area is the one in which you struggle most with priorities?

• Money 
• Time 
• Family 
• Work 
• Entertainment 
• Fitness/Leisure Time 
• Friendships 
• Conversations 
• Attitude

Using the above list, in which area would you most like God to help you?

Read Mark 12:29-30. Why do you think this command is always preceded by the statement that God is "one"? 

We often think of "love" in terms of relationships. What do our relationships with spouses, parents, children, and friends teach us about God's love for us and our love for Him?

Have each person share a practical example of how they can demonstrate love toward God?

Why is this command easy to follow? Why is this command difficult to follow?

Spend some time discussing WHY God is worthy of our love.

What is one commitment you can make this week to prioritize God in an important area of your life?

How can this group pray for you?

Exiles and Strangers (1 Peter 2:11-12)

 Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and have everyone give a one-sentence summary of these verses' main point.

Talk about each of the following words and have group members share why they are important, what they mean in this passage and how their meaning should be applied in our lives.

- Abstain

- Passion

- Flesh

- Soul

- Honorable

- Gentiles

- Glorify God

Make a list of the passions of the flesh. Talk about why it is sometimes difficult to abstain from these.

Why is it sometimes difficult to balance abstaining from the flesh and living honorably among the Gentiles? Talk about situations when abstaining might cause the world to be offended or make accusations.

Spend a few minutes talking about the people in your lives that need to turn to Jesus. Have each person identify one thing they can do to help that person think more positively about God.

Spend time praying that your friends would see the truth and turn to Jesus.

Life In Christ: The Path, The Roots, The Foundation. (Colossians 2)

 What clothes do you put on when you are cold?

What clothes do you put on when you are hot?

What clothes do you put on when you are going out to eat?

What clothes do you put on when you go to work?

What clothes do you put on when you lounge around the house?

What clothes do you put on when you want to grow spiritually?

Read Romans 13:4.

Putting on clothes can't help us grow spiritually, but putting on Christ is the secret to spiritual growth. What do you think it means to "put on Christ?"

Read Colossians 2:6-7. Being "in Him" is the same idea as "putting on Christ" or being "clothed with Christ". In these verses, Paul gives three pictures to help us understand what it means to be "in Christ".

What do you think it means to "walk in Him"?

Read Matthew 7:13, Proverbs 3:6, and Psalm 119:105. What do these verses teach about the path we choose to walk through life?

How would your next steps in life change if your greatest priority was to imitate Jesus?

What do you think it means to be "rooted in Him"?

Read Psalm 1:1-3, John 15:5, and Galatians 5:22-23. What do these verses teach about roots, branches, and fruit?

If you allow Jesus to be the primary source of authority in your life, what kind of fruit should your life be bearing?

What do you think it means to be "built up in Him"?

Read Matthew 7:24-27 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-13. What do these verses teach about the foundation of our life?

If Jesus is the foundation of your life, how should that impact what you think? How should it impact what you say? How should it impact the way you treat and talk about others?

Which of these areas is most challenging for you?

- Walking Jesus' path?

- Being rooted in Jesus?

- Allowing Jesus to be your foundation?

What is your next step?

How can this group pray for you?

Walking with God (Genesis 5)

 Read Genesis 5:22-24.

Make a list of people from the Bible who "walked with God."

Walking with someone requires SHARED DIRECTION and CLOSE PROXIMITY.

How can someone make sure they are moving the same direction as God?

Read Psalm 119:105. What gift has God given us so that we can know the proper direction to walk?

How has the Bible helped keep you moving in the right direction? What is a Bible verse or passage that serves as a guide for you?

How can someone make sure they are staying close to God?

Read James 4:8. What does this verse teach about staying close to God?

What do you think it means to "wash your hands" and "purify your heart"? How can these activities help you stay close to God?

Read Jeremiah 33:3. What do you think it means to call on the Lord? How does calling on God help you to stay close to Him?

What will you do this week to walk more closely to God? How can you encourage others in their walk with God?

When God Doesn't Meet Our Expectations (Ruth)

Talk about a vacation that did not live up to your expectations.

Read Ruth 1:1-2. What do you think Elimilech and Naomi hoped would happen for their family when they moved?

List some of the hopes and dreams most parents have for their children.

Read Ruth 1:3-5. What do you think were the emotions Naomi felt most strongly? How do you think Naomi felt about God?

How would you have responded if you were Naomi?

When have you been disappointed that life didn't match up to your expectations?

Is it okay for a Christian to be disappointed? Why or why not?

Often life disappoints us because we expect more from God than what He has promised us. Read the following verses about what we can truly expect from our Heavenly Father.

Read Romans 8:38-39. How should God's love change the way you think about yourself?

Read Matthew 28:20. How should God's presence inspire courageous living?

Read John 14:1. How should the future God has for you give you patience in the present?

What expectations do you need to let go of?

What promises of God do you need to hold on to?

How can this group help you?