LESSON
LESSON 1 DISCUSSION: WHEN YOU DON’T WANT TO SHARE
WHEN YOU
DON’T WANT
TO
SHARE
BIG IDEA
Struggling with sharing the Gospel is common for all Jesus’s followers, and we all have different
reasons why we struggle. Jonah was one of Israel’s great prophets, and even he struggled. We’re
going to learn that when we struggle and even refuse to share, God’s grace is with us and His calling
doesn’t change. He’ll help us to grow and go. He’ll help us answer the call to pray, to care, and to
share.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What specifically, in recent days, has an authority figure asked of you that made you feel like
running in the other direction—in other words, you just didn’t want to do it?
2. Is it comforting or scary to know Jonah was a popular and successful prophet (like a pastor today) of
God when he totally messed up in obeying God’s voice? Why do you think that?
3. Can you remember a time when God clearly told you to do something (whether directly or through
something you read in the Bible), and it caused you to panic or go in a different direction?
4. Read Philippians 2:5-8. It’s amazing to know that Jesus had a choice about whether to come to
Earth and suffer for us. What else sticks out to you about these verses?
5. What is the biggest thing that sometimes makes you hesitate to share the Gospel? Why?
6. What is one thing from the message that stood out to you and why? What might you do differ-
ently moving forward?
TAKEAWAY
For Jesus’s followers, He’s always our example of faithfulness to the Father. Jonah initially blew it,
because he allowed his own pain and pride to get in the way of his obedience. When we look to and
spend time with Jesus, who always submitted His will to His Father’s, we’ll grow in obedient trust
and love for God and people.
