Jonah                                                     
October 23, 2016
Teacher’s Guide

Handout
Lesson Plan

  1. Read Jonah chapter 1

Have you ever been in a situation, where you know God had called you to do this service, and you were so very thankful for it, but at times you felt so overwhelmed that you didn’t know if you could do it?  I have been there a few times, I am in a place like that now, and what I realize is, that I am very honored that God has chosen me, but I know that I cannot do it alone.  I know that it will take the Holy Spirit to do the work through me.  There are times when I cry out to God because I don’t know what to do next, and the way gets hard and stressful and there have been times when I worried and worried and God would speak to my heart and remind me that I was not fully trusting Him, and then I have to repent and ask God to forgive me and to help me.  Sometimes I want to see the full picture.  However, God only allows me to take one day at a time, but I know that it’s best that way otherwise He would show me the end.  So I choose in my heart even if my flesh doesn’t feel like it, I choose to trust My Father who has never and will never let me down!  I belong to Him and what He does with me is up to Him and I have the promise that whatever happens it will be for His glory and for my good!  Praise the LORD, in that, I DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR or be overwhelmed!  God’s promises are always true.  The same truth goes for you dear one with whatever situation God has placed you in. 

  1. Read Jonah chapter 2

If you are in a situation, where you know God didn’t place you, if you placed yourself there and you are feeling overwhelmed, then you need to run, not walk, run as fast as you can back to the Master!  Call out to Jesus for forgiveness like Jonah and ask for guidance on how to get back. 
It is not a fun thing when you are out of the will of God and God has had to place you in a very uncomfortable position in order to get you to turn back.  I have been there and NEVER want to be there again!  If you will ask, He will lead you and put you back on the right track and you can have peace in your heart!  Even if the way you want to go seems easier, it’s always best to follow the LORD because He does see the big picture and He has a plan and you definitely do not want to miss out on that!  You and I must do the hard thing now, die to self, obey God, and reap the joy of the harvest later!  Praise the LORD there WILL be a harvest!  God is so good!  (Psalm 126)

 C.  God Will Deliver You!
If you feel all alone, as if God has placed you in a certain place, called you into a specific task, and now you feel as if you are alone, know that you are not.  He is there and will always be there holding your hand.  Even if you can’t feel Him, there is a reason and you need to pray for more faith and just keep moving in the direction He is leading and never stop praying and mediating upon His word.  Never stop crying out to Him day after day, night after night for guidance because we have this promise in Psalm 50. (Psalm 50:15)