Lesson 5 Review: Excuses to Avoid Mission

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’ ” (Isaiah 6:8, NKJV).

Everyone called to mission may not be as compliant as Abraham. For Jonah, he had his reasons for going the opposite way after God had instructed him to go on mission to Nineveh. If we let the devil, he can give us excuses to avoid mission, but we should be careful not to avoid mission.

What is one of the reasons why Jonah was unwilling to go to Nineveh?

Fear. The Assyrians were a formidable foe, and Nineveh served as the capital of the kingdom. Nineveh was a magnificent city, and the Assyrians were ruthless.

What caution should we take from Jonah’s fear?

We may disapprove of Jonah’s actions but we can easily fall into this trap. We should pray for God to strengthen us to resist fear and see the need for souls to be saved.

What indication does Jonah 1:1-12 reveal?

There were many “gods” and God, they believed that the sea was a chaotic realm of demons and they believed that sacrifice was needed to appease their wrath. Jonah, though a Hebrew had a worldview that was influenced by the tradition of his times.

What lessons did Jonah learn from his flight to Nineveh according to Tuesday’s lesson?

God is sovereign, we cannot possibly run away from Him. He owns everything. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (Psalm, 24:1, NKJV).

What misunderstandings about God does Tuesday’s lesson point out that we may have and what should our understanding be?

One common misunderstanding is that God’s desire for us is to focus on our own salvation. Though we are instructed to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27, NKJV), our focus should be on how to bring God’s blessings and hope to those in need. Another is believing that success in God’s mission depends on us. We can plant seeds of truth, but only God can convert the heart.

What lessons can we draw from Jonah's preaching to the Ninevites?

Jonah was reluctant and had to go through a lot to preach this message to the Ninevites who were moved to repentance. Similarly, God’s mission is to be carried out on the shoulders of those who are willing to sacrifice, even if reluctantly. We should not habour prejudices that keep us away from spreading the word. Even in our inadequacies, God can still work powerfully through us in bringing people to repentance as was the case with Jonah and Nineveh.

What are the requirements for going on God’s mission?

Humility that will enable us to face prejudices; Time and emotional energy for investing in the lives of others; Changing how we feel about and use our money.

How are worldviews formed?

Worldviews are often formed and changed based on life experiences and how they are interpreted and explained, rather than on demand or the hearing of something new or different.

What was the new experience God gave Jonah to recognize his own distorted worldview?

God made a plant to miraculously grow over Jonah’s head which made Jonah grateful, not for God, but for the plant. Jonah saw it as a blessing that came from his good works. The plant dies and Jonah becomes so angry and insecure in his self-worth, that his thoughts grow suicidal. This experience was followed by God’s voice of gentle correction, helping Jonah see how foolish it was for him to value a plant more than the many thousands of men, women, and children in Nineveh, as well as their animals.

What is essentially our role in God’s mission?

We are merely to be a conduit for God, who alone can convict and convert hearts. God seeks only willing and humble messengers who will follow His direction.

How are we to answer God’s call?

We are to answer God’s call by submitting to His leadership, listening to hear His voice, and then choosing to obey whatever He tells us.

What other thing does the story of Jonah reveal?

The story of Jonah reveals God’s love for people who live where His love is not felt and His voice is not heard. Just as God had pity on the people of Nineveh, He has pity on the millions populating the cities today, God wants everyone to be saved. He said, “ ‘And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?’ ” (Jonah 4:11, NKJV).

In Conclusion,

Excuses of those who fail to do the work of God do not relieve them from responsibility. I pray that, by God’s grace, we avoid giving excuses to avoid God’s mission in Jesus’ name.