Use this guide by yourself or with friends to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. To connect with others, visit https://www.brookwoodchurch.org/adults.

Conversation Starter
What’s one thing that brought you great joy last year?

Begin your study with prayer
Pause for a few minutes to quiet your heart and mind. Ask God to help you experience His love and hear His voice as you reflect on this week’s lesson.

Bible Study and Group Discussion

Read Jonah 1:1-3

1. What did God tell Jonah to do?

2. What does this tell you about God?

3. Why did Jonah run away?

4. How would you describe Jonah?

4. What does Jeremiah 23:23-24 say about fleeing from the presence of God? See also Psalm 139:7-10

Note: Tarshish was located as far west as you could go. It was thought to be as far away as the ends of the earth. Jonah wanted to get as far away from Nineveh and God’s calling as he possibly could.

6. Have you ever sensed God telling you to do something, but you didn’t want to do it? How did you respond? What happened?

7. What are common reasons people run from God?

8. Can you think of someone else in the Bible who ran away from God? How did their story end?

9. How will you apply this week’s lesson to your life?

Spiritual Practice
Spiritual Practices help us experience the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. They’re meant to be more than one-time actions, becoming a natural part of our lives.

Just like any relationship, developing intimacy with God is cultivated over time. You may have an idea of what this is supposed to look like. That’s not helpful. There’s no magic formula, but hearing God does require spending time with Him. Here’s a simple process to help you draw closer to God.

1. Find a quiet place and spend a few minutes in silence to clear your mind.
2. When you sense stillness, tell God you want to hear Him.
3. Slowly read and meditate on a passage of Scripture. What words or phrases stand out to you? (You can use the Memory Verse, Daily Readings or any passage.)
4. Ask God what He wants to say to you and allow time for Him to put thoughts in your mind.
5. God desires to talk with you all day long. So as you leave this quiet time with God, ask Him to speak to you throughout the day.

Recommended Resource: Hearing God in Conversation, Samuel C. Williamson

Prepare for Next Sunday
Sunday, January 24, we’ll continue the series Running from God. Read Jonah 1:4-17 to prepare for a message on restraint.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.

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