Sermon: Jonah Part 5 - Joining God's Mission

Everyone is encouraged to bring a Bible (Phone apps are good for reading together in the same translation. Study Bibles give help with interpretation.)

1. Were you ever forced to give a public speech that you were afraid to give? What happened?

2. Review: The sermon looked at the third chapter of the book of Jonah (where Jonah finally obeys God and preaches His word). What stood out to you about the idea of “joining God’s mission”? What do you remember about each of the main points (seen above)? Do you have any questions to bring up?

3. Read Matthew 10:16-20.

a) Does this passage scare you or excite you?

b) Are you willing to go out on a limb (as the Holy Spirit prompts you) and speak to others about Jesus?

4. Read Acts 26:1-29. Paul is on trial in Caesarea and gets the chance to testify before King Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I (who killed the apostle James in Acts 12:1-2) and great grandson of Herod the Great (who killed the baby boys in Bethlehem after Jesus was born).

a) What stands out to you about Paul’s speech?

b) How would you outline Paul’s speech? What are the main sections?

c) What does Paul say in this speech to establish his own credibility? (see vv. 4-5, 6, 8, 9, 22, 25, 26). Why was this important?

d) What was Paul’s purpose in sharing this speech? (see vv. 27-29)

e) About how many minutes long do you think Paul’s speech was?

f) What can we learn from these insights about sharing our own testimonies today?

5. Do you feel prepared to share the gospel and your testimony with others? What plans can you make to be better prepared?

6. Are you willing to consider taking the 401 class later this year? (this class trains you to share your testimony and the gospel)

7. Pray that each of you would become fully equipped to testify about Jesus. And pray for any specific needs in your group.