Repentance and Salvation

What's the largest city you have ever visited or lived in? How did you feel while you were there? Were there things that made you uneasy at times? Share with the group.

Read Jonah 3:1-10 aloud.

Compare Jonah 3:1-3 with Jonah 1:1-3. What stands out to you? What do you think has changed? Why is the phrase "a second time" significant? Share about a time that God gave you a "second chance."

What is Jonah's message to the people of Nineveh (3:4)? How did they respond (3:5)? Underline each use of the word "turn." How did the king lead them in this response (3:6-9)? What are the specific things the king called the Ninevites to turn from in 3:8? 

What would be a modern equivalent to the fasting in sackcloth and ashes we see in this passage? What does it look like today to "turn" from evil? Have you ever had an experience that involved fasting or giving something up for a spiritual reason? What was that like for you?

Circle the two words in verse 10 that describe God's response: saw, and relented. What does God's response tell you about God? How do you see God's sovereignty and His compassion in this verse?

Consider splitting into men with men and women with women for the final part of your group meeting as you engage the question below.

Lexham Bible Dictionary defines repentance as "a change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God." How does repenting require humility? Is there an area of your life that you need to humble yourself (as the king of Nineveh did) before God and change your attitude and action? If appropriate, share with the group. If you aren't comfortable sharing in the group setting, consider asking someone of the same gender to pray with you and be your accountability partner as you seek to repent in this area of your life.