The Sign of Jonah Christ Was Raised for Our Justification

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1 The Sign of Jonah Christ Was Raised for Our Justification Summary and Goal In the story of Jonah, we see a prophet who spent three days in the belly of a great fish as a result of his disobedience to God s call. We also see a picture of Jesus, who by obeying God s call, willingly went to the cross and trusted in God s provision. As a result, God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him. United to Christ in His resurrection, we are called to live as missionaries today. Steps to Prepare 1. Read the main passages for this lesson, recording your insights and questions: --Jonah 1:1-5, Matthew 12: Acts 2: Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp ). --Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group. --Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class. 3. Review the Teaching Plan (pp ). --Refine the lesson plan based on your group s particular needs. --Adjust the plan if necessary. 4. Pray for the Lord s guidance as you lead your group through this material. Lesson Outline 1. Jonah went to the heart of the earth in disobedience to God s call (Jonah 1:1-5,12-17). 2. Jesus went to the heart of the earth in obedience to God s call (Matt. 12:38-42). 3. Believers are justified because God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24-28) LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 Teaching Plan The Sign of Jonah For Further Discussion Review how The Atonement Thread runs through Scripture. Then discuss the foreshadowing of the resurrection we see in the Old Testament. For Further Discussion Are there people you would write off when it comes to salvation? Are there some areas of pride in your life that keep you from engaging in God s mission? For Further Discussion Read aloud the Further Commentary (p. 96) comparing the storm against Jonah with the apostle Paul s story. Do you think it likely that true followers of Jesus, rather than others, will have an impact for good in the midst of the storm? Why or why not? Introduce the Lesson Begin the lesson by connecting the modern city of Mosul to the ancient city of Nineveh. Give a brief overview of the history of the city, and then introduce Jonah as the prophet used by God to bring about revival there (leader p. 94; personal study p. 74). What comes to mind when you hear the phrase Jonah and the big fish? Do you think of Jonah as a negative character (known for disobeying God) or a positive character (the prophet whose work led to a citywide repentance)? Why? Briefly summarize this lesson, showing where we are in The Atonement Thread of Scripture (leader p. 95; personal study pp ). 1. Jonah went to the heart of the earth in disobedience to God s call. Set the story of Jonah in the context of Old Testament history. Before reading Jonah 1:1-5, help your group understand why the call to Nineveh would have come as such a shock to Jonah (leader p. 95; personal study p. 75). Show the downward spiral of Jonah s actions and God s response of sending the storm (leader p. 96; personal study p. 75). Can you imagine yourself as a kind of Jonah? Discuss a time you, or someone you know, have been antagonistic to God s intentions? Have you ever wanted to get away from God s presence? Why? Read Jonah 1:12-17, and then walk through the rest of this narrative, focusing on God s desire to save Nineveh and Jonah s resistance to God s will (leader pp ; personal study p. 76). How was God merciful to Jonah even as He disciplined him? How have you sensed God s mercy in His ongoing work in your life? 92 Leader Guide Spring 2014

3 2. Jesus went to the heart of the earth in obedience to God s call. Transition from the story of Jonah to the account in Matthew 12:38-42, in which the religious leaders demanded a sign from Jesus. As you read the passage, encourage your group to look for similarities between Jesus and Jonah (leader pp ; personal study pp ). What are some of the similarities between the stories of Jesus and Jonah? What are some of the differences? Walk through the similarities and differences in the story of Jonah and the resurrection of Jesus. Highlight the point about the coming day of judgment (leader pp ; personal study pp ). Have you known someone who demanded signs from God before they would follow Him? How would you explain to such a person that Jesus resurrection is the only sign needed to establish the reality of who Jesus is? 3. Believers are justified because God raised Jesus from the dead. Set up the Acts 2:24-28 passage by placing it in the context of Peter s sermon in Acts. Then read the passage together (leader pp ; personal study p. 78). Explain the meaning of the phrase it was not possible for him to be held by [death] in light of God s work and fulfillment of prophecy. Highlight the connection between Christ s resurrection and our justification (leader pp ; personal study p. 79). For Further Discussion Why do you think Jesus refused to give the religious leaders a sign? Do you think they would have believed if He had done something miraculous? Why or why not? For Further Discussion What did Christ accomplish by going into the heart of the earth? For Further Discussion What are some practical ways you can model the missionary heart of God in your community? How can you be involved in taking the gospel to people in other nations? End this point with a call to mission that follows the missionary heart of God for people (leader p. 101; personal study p. 79). What is the relationship between being united with Christ and being called as an everyday missionary today? In what ways does the resurrection empower our obedience to God s call? Conclusion Review the importance of Christ s resurrection for our own salvation and for our mission to take the message of salvation to others (leader p. 101; personal study p. 79). What are some characteristics that should be true of the believer whose heart models Christ s? In what ways should the resurrection of Christ impact your daily life? 93

4 Expanded Lesson Content The Sign of Jonah Voices from Church History Sing, my tongue, how glorious battle, glorious victory became, and above the cross, his trophy, tell the triumph and the fame, tell how he, the world s Redeemer, by his death for us o ercame. Venantius Fortunatus (circa ) John Martin / The Fall of Nineveh / Art Resource, NY Introduction During the Iraq War, Americans who followed the news got a crash course in Middle Eastern geography and history. Baghdad is the capital and largest city in Iraq. Mosul is another large city, almost two million residents, mostly Muslim, and has an interesting connection to biblical history. You see, Mosul encompasses the ruins of Nineveh on the Tigris River. More than 2,500 years ago, Nineveh was the world s largest city. It was the center of the world s superpower at the time the Assyrian Empire. In 612 b.c., Nineveh fell. It was ransacked and depopulated. The Babylonian Empire rose to replace Assyria as the great power in the Middle East. Nineveh of old, however, was on God s heart. Yes, its people followed idolatrous religions and had a terrible reputation. But God s loving response was to send a messenger of truth the reluctant prophet Jonah, who lived about a century before Nineveh s fall. Jonah became the agent through whom God brought about one of the greatest revivals in world history. But when we think of Jonah, we tend to remember his adventure in the belly of a great fish. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase Jonah and the big fish? Do you think of Jonah as a negative character (known for disobeying God) or a positive character (the prophet whose work led to a citywide repentance)? Why? Interestingly enough, Jonah s sojourn in the belly of a fish was the part of this story Jesus Himself referenced. Hundreds of years later, Jesus claimed the story of Jonah as a sign of His own resurrection. 94 Leader Guide Spring 2014

5 Lesson Summary As we look at the link between Jonah and Jesus resurrection, let s not lose sight of what underlies these stories God s concern for people to be in a right relationship with Him. Further, let us keep in mind that God called the prophet Jonah and He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill His mission. Today, He is still calling people to join Him in mission perhaps even in places such as Mosul and to introduce people to the one true Lord of all. 1. Jonah went to the heart of the earth in disobedience to God s call (Jonah 1:1-5,12-17). Jonah lived centuries after Moses. The people of Israel had entered their promised land and taken possession of it. The tribes united under the great kings David and Solomon. After the dazzling era of military power and economic prosperity under Solomon, the country unraveled. It divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Despite the presence of a glorious temple to the Lord in Jerusalem, the people fell into the worship of despicable idols. The Lord raised up His messengers, the prophets, to call His people to repentance and faith. Elijah and Elisha were among the earliest prophets. Later on, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah would speak to the people. During this time, Nineveh was well known as the center of Assyrian power, the big bad enemy. No doubt Jonah felt he had enough on his hands confronting the sins of his own people. Imagine his shock when God directed him to leave home and preach to the enemy! Jonah despised the mission God gave him. But before we judge Jonah too harshly, let s look into our own hearts. Imagine how you would feel if suddenly you sensed God telling you to leave your home and go preach to your country s enemies! Watch how Jonah s story begins: The Atonement Thread Garden Coverings Abraham and Isaac Passover Sacrificial Offerings Water from the Rock Bronze Snake Sign of Jonah Suffering Servant Lamb of God Bread of Life Perfect Sacrifice Washed Robes Further Commentary Jonah was the son of Amittai and a prophet of the Lord from Gathhepher, a village near Nazareth. Nothing is known of his background. His name meant dove. He prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the time of Jeroboam II ( b.c.). God gave Jonah the privilege of delivering the good news that Israel would experience a time of safety and prosperity under Jeroboam (2 Kings 14:25). God also used him against his will to preach to the pagans in Nineveh. 1 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. 4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 95

6 Further Commentary It s striking to compare Jonah s account with a storm with Paul s experience recorded in Acts 27. Both accounts feature God s messenger, a Mediterranean storm, and pagan sailors. In both instances, God s spokesman was more attuned to what was going on with the weather than were the professionals. In both situations, God s man had great influence in the midst of life-threatening circumstances. God displayed His sovereignty in choosing to use both a disobedient prophet and an obedient apostle. Further Commentary Sometimes Bible students have gotten sidetracked on whether it s possible for a great fish (or a whale or some other sea creature) to swallow someone and keep them alive for three days. But if we believe the Lord appointed this fish, then we shouldn t see a problem. The timing was certainly a miracle: the fish was at the right place when Jonah hit the water. If there was a miracle of divine timing, then surely there could have been a miracle fish to sustain Jonah s life while the miserable prophet repented from the fish s belly. The Lord asked Jonah to head east to Nineveh. Instead, he bought a ticket to the west, to Tarshish. In the story, we can trace the actions of the Lord (whom we might call the protagonist, or main character) as well as the actions of Jonah (the antagonist, who opposes the main character and whose choices the protagonist must take into account). The Lord is the One who takes the initiative; He commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach, explaining that He had taken note of the evil in the great city. Then, when Jonah attempted to thwart God s plan, God hurled a great wind upon the sea so that His plan would indeed be accomplished. Jonah s role is mainly reactive or passive. Consider the sequence of verbs: he rose to flee ; he went down to Joppa and found a ship ; he paid the fare and went on board ; he had gone down into the inner part of the ship ; he had lain down and was fast asleep. Down to Joppa, down into the ship, down into the lowest part, and down into sleep. Down, down, down Jonah went. A storm on the Mediterranean Sea was terrifying in those days for vessels powered by wind and sail. The sailors were certainly not Israelites, for when they got into trouble, each one called to his god. We can sense the desperation in their willingness to lose all the cargo (and all hope of profit) in the attempt to save their lives. The storm was God s response to Jonah s naïve attempt to remove himself from the presence of the Lord (stated two times in v. 3). It was not just the idolatrous sailors who had a false view of the Lord; Jonah suffered from the delusion that he could actually escape from the One who is everywhere. Can you imagine yourself as a kind of Jonah? Discuss a time you, or someone you know, have been antagonistic to God s intentions? Have you ever wanted to get away from God s presence? Why? After the frightened crew woke him up, Jonah confessed why he was on board. He was a worshiper of Yahweh, whom he believed rightly to be the Creator of land and sea. The sailors asked him how they should respond. Here s how the story continues: 12 He said to them, Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you. 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, O Lord, let us not perish for this man s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you. 15 So they picked up Jonah and 96 Leader Guide Spring 2014

7 hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. 17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. As the narrative progresses, we see Jonah continuing to act in a way that seemed certain to thwart the Lord s purposes. After all, he volunteered to drown! A drowned prophet wouldn t be of much use in Nineveh, right? But again, Yahweh, the one true God, the covenant-making Lord of Israel, initiated an action that moved toward His goal of getting the message of truth to Nineveh. He appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. God would not be deterred because of the prophet s rebellion. Along the way, we see the first fruit of Jonah s ministry, even if it was quite unintentional and even if Jonah was a terrible representative of the Lord. After he confessed to the sailors that the storm was due to God s anger because of his disobedience, he persuaded them to toss him overboard. When the storm stopped, the sailors responded in fear and worship. This does not necessarily mean they became devoted followers of Yahweh, but it does mean they believed there was such a God as Yahweh and that they should acknowledge Him. God appointed a great fish, which promptly did His will by swallowing the prophet. God s intent, of course, was to get the prophet back on track to preach to Nineveh, and the rest of the narrative shows that s what happened. In the account of Jonah, little is made of the three days and three nights he spent in the fish. It would be up to Jesus to point out, centuries later, that God was hinting at something special with the time period specified. What is clear from the Book of Jonah, however, is that Jonah s fate being swallowed up so that he seemed to be no more came about because he had been disobedient to God s call for him to go to Nineveh. Because he did not want God to extend His mercy, he disobeyed. But God pursued Jonah with the same fervor He pursued the Ninevites. Voices from the Church In sending Jonah as his messenger to sinful Nineveh, God showed his boundless grace and faithfulness. But centuries later, God sent another messenger to sinful mankind. Only this messenger went willingly and joyfully because he knew the heart of God. In fact, he was the heart of God. 2 Tullian Tchividjian How was God merciful to Jonah even as He disciplined him? How have you sensed God s mercy in His ongoing work in your life? 2. Jesus went to the heart of the earth in obedience to God s call (Matt. 12:38-42). Jesus ministry created conflict. Religious leaders (experts in Scripture and leaders of the various Jewish groups) were suspicious of Him. He dared to teach without their authorization, yet He healed the sick and displayed God s power. Meanwhile, the outcasts of Jewish society (prostitutes and tax collectors) flocked to Him. 97

8 Further Commentary Bible scholars recognize that three days and three nights do not necessarily mean three 24-hour periods. In the Jewish conception of time, any part of a day counted as a whole day. Most of us have experienced something similar when, while traveling, we ve checked into a motel late one evening and left early the next morning, and yet we are charged for a full 24 hours. Though some Christians believe the crucifixion took place on Thursday, most accept that Jesus resurrection on Sunday morning occurred on the third day after His death on Friday afternoon. (See Luke 24:46; Acts 10:40.) 3 On one occasion, the religious establishment asked Jesus to perform a miracle to prove that He was from God. A miracle on demand! Jesus replied with a riddle that pointed to His greater mission. Here s the way Matthew 12 records the episode: 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. 39 But he answered them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Jesus knew these religious leaders (the scribes and Pharisees ) were representatives of an adulterous generation, that is, those who were unfaithful to the true Lord. He backed up His claim by offering them a riddle. Yes, He would in fact perform a sign, but it was a sign they would reject. They would do the opposite of what the people of Nineveh did when confronted with a similar sign. Before we consider the ways Jesus and Jonah are alike or different, we should note that this passage is the first of several predictions Jesus made about His death and resurrection (see also Matt. 16:21-26; 17:22-23; 20:17-28). Further, we should contrast Jesus faithfulness to God (expressed by His confidence that He would be raised after three days) with the unfaithfulness of the scribes and Pharisees. What are some of the similarities between the stories of Jesus and Jonah? What are some of the differences? Jesus made an explicit comparison between Himself and Jonah: as Jonah so will the Son of Man. Consider the following ways in which the two are alike: Both Jesus and Jonah experienced a three-day period during which each was, in some way, swallowed up. Jonah was swallowed by the fish; Jesus was swallowed by the grave. Both Jesus and Jonah emerged alive and proclaimed God s word to those to whom God had sent them. In His bodily form, Jesus appeared only to His own people Jews. In his missionary preaching, Jonah appeared to the people of Nineveh Gentiles. 98 Leader Guide Spring 2014

9 Jesus and Jonah are quite different as well, and the contrasts are sharp: Jonah disobeyed God as much as he could. Jesus delighted in obeying God in every possible way. Jonah despised the idea that people far from God, such as the people of Nineveh, could come to know Him. Jesus longed for those who were unfaithful to God, even self-righteous religious leaders, to come into a right relationship with Him. Jonah s preaching to the Ninevites resulted in a positive outcome they repented. Jesus preaching to the Jewish people of His generation resulted in a largely negative outcome they refused to believe the sign He performed (His resurrection). This last point is what Jesus emphasized. In verse 41, He painted a picture of the judgment day. The people of Jesus generation would stand before God, along with the people of Nineveh. But it would be the Ninevites, not the Jewish leaders, who would stand approved! Why? Because they repented when they heard Jonah s message, even though it came from a lesser preacher than Jesus. By virtue of His death and resurrection, Jesus was certainly the greater preacher, the something greater than Jonah. Yet Jesus own people did not receive Him. In verse 42, Jesus followed up with a parallel example. In the Old Testament, the pagan queen of Sheba paid attention to a wise teacher, King Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-13). Jesus was certainly wiser than Solomon, the something greater than Solomon. Yet the people to whom He offered superior wisdom refused to receive Him (John 1:11). Voices from the Church The resurrection of Christ is the completing event that provides not only for the cleansing of guilt but also for a guarantee that the believer shall live again. 4 Paige Patterson Have you known someone who demanded signs from God before they would follow Him? How would you explain to such a person that Jesus resurrection is the only sign needed to establish the reality of who Jesus is? 3. Believers are justified because God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24-28). Perhaps the religious leaders soon forgot how Jesus compared Himself to Jonah. Maybe the Pharisees chalked up Jesus prediction as the empty riddle of a madman. Yet within a few months, the sign was fulfilled. Jesus did disappear into the grave, but He emerged triumphant, just as He prophesied. And just as He had said, there was a stubborn refusal among most Jews to believe the sign of the resurrection (Matt. 28:11-15). A few weeks later, Peter was preaching about Jesus in Jerusalem, the very city in which He had been crucified. During the next Jewish holiday Pentecost Peter preached in a way that emphasized the resurrection. This time, the message brought a positive response. Thousands of Jewish people repented and placed their faith in Jesus (Acts 2:37-41). 99

10 Further Commentary Although men had killed him, God raised him from the dead, and thereby freed him from the agony of death. Agony means literally birth pains, so that his resurrection is pictured as a regeneration, a new birth out of death into life. Peter next confirms the truth of Jesus resurrection by appealing to Psalm 16:8-11 in which, he claims, it was foretold. David cannot have been referring to himself, when he wrote that God would not abandon him to the grave or let his Holy One see decay (Acts 2:27), because David had died and was buried, and his tomb was still in Jerusalem (v. 29). Instead, being a prophet and remembering God s promise to place a distinguished descendant on his throne, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ (vv ). 5 John Stott ( ) Voices from the Church Death is in labor and is unable to hold back its child, the Messiah. 6 Steve Mathewson Pentecost was a demonstration of God s missionary heart being displayed through Jesus followers. On that day, the message began spreading throughout the world. This gospel proclamation rang out not only to those of Jesus own generation, the Jewish people, but also to Gentiles. Perhaps even descendants of the people of Nineveh from Jonah s time responded to the good news because of Jesus resurrection, we can be united to Him. And because we are united to Him in new life, we can live as missionaries following God s call. Read the following account from Acts 2, and see how Peter emphasized the resurrection of Jesus in his preaching: 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence. How did Peter develop his sermon to the vast audience on Pentecost? He began by offering biblical support to interpret the strange phenomena of the morning speaking in tongues (Acts 2:14-21). He continued by reminding his hearers of what they already knew Jesus the miracle worker had been crucified (2:22-23). Then he moved to the resurrection. That s where Peter lingered. Note the assertion that it was not possible for him to be held by [death]. In other words, the resurrection had to happen. It was essential. Why? First, because it was the will of the Heavenly Father: God raised him up. The period of His death and burial was like the labor pains an expectant mother goes through. But once the travail of labor is past, new life is brought forth. (The term translated pangs is the Greek term for birth pains [Greek, odin].) Yes, the death of Jesus was a painful ordeal, but the Father brought Him through it into resurrection life. Second, Jesus was raised according to the Spirit-inspired prophecy of King David in Psalm 16:8-11. At first glance, the psalm seems to be about David s experience of trust in God. But as Peter pointed out in Acts 2:25-35, the psalm cannot be only about David because David was not resurrected. The psalm must therefore point to another David s greatest descendant, the Lord Jesus. Consider these affirmations that David prophesied, according to Peter: 100 Leader Guide Spring 2014

11 God would be with Jesus forever (v. 25). Jesus had unshakable confidence in God (v. 25). Gladness of heart and speech flowed from Jesus (v. 26). Jesus entrusted His physical body ( my flesh ) to God s care (v. 26). After He died, Jesus body would not be left in the grave (v. 27). Jesus knew His body would not physically decay after He died (v. 27). The greatest of the paths of life for Jesus would be His resurrection (v. 28). Jesus would ultimately enjoy gladness in the presence of God (v. 28). After Peter s long presentation about the resurrection on that Pentecost morning (Acts 2:24-35), he went on to draw out the implications: 1. The crucified Jesus has been demonstrated to be both Lord and Messiah because of the resurrection (v. 36). 2. A response to this truth is required, for no one can remain neutral about Jesus (vv ). The amazing result just as amazing as the response of the people of Nineveh was that 3,000 people believed and were baptized (Acts 2:41). Some decades later, the apostle Paul drew out the implications of Jesus death and resurrection in his Epistle to the Romans. In Romans 3:21 4:25, he developed the theology of justification that those who place faith in the resurrected Jesus (1:4) are declared to be right with God ( justified ). Then he went on to show that at the heart of Jesus resurrection is that we are united with Him: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his (Rom. 6:5). Because of the resurrection, those who have been united with Christ are necessarily joined with His mission. We have the joyful opportunity of following the missionary heart of God a heart seen in His concern for the people of Nineveh, shown by His raising Jesus from the dead after a three-day stay in the heart of the earth, and celebrated in Peter s preaching on the day of Pentecost. Voices from Church History His new birth from the dead was made a way for us also, since the pains of death, wherein we were held, were loosed by the resurrection of the Lord. 7 Gregory of Nyssa (circa ) Voices from Church History [Christ s] resurrection is at one and the same time the evidence and the source of our justification. 8 Herman Bavinck ( ) What is the relationship between being united with Christ and being called as an everyday missionary today? In what ways does the resurrection empower our obedience to God s call? Conclusion Jesus went to the cross in obedience to God s call. As a result, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him as Lord of all. Today s believers, united with Jesus Christ in His resurrection, are also called. We are called to join in God s heart and to be involved in carrying the message of the gospel around the world, including to places such as Mosul. We are challenged to join Christ in His mission and to model His missionary heart. What are some characteristics that should be true of the believer whose heart models Christ s? In what ways should the resurrection of Christ impact your daily life? 101

12 Additional Resources The Sign of Jonah References 1. See Jonah, by E. Ray Clendenen, in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, eds. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England (Nashville: B&H, 2003), Tullian Tchividjian, Surprised by Grace (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), See The Amount of Time Between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ, by R. Kirk Kilpatrick, in Harmony of the Gospels, eds. Steven L. Cox and Kendell H. Easley (Nashville: B&H, 2007), Paige Patterson, The Work of Christ, in A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel L. Akin (Nashville: B&H, 2007), John R. W. Stott, The Message of Acts (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1995), Steve Mathewson, Risen (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), Gregory of Nyssa, Against Eunomius, in Nicene and Post- Nicene Fathers, Second Series, vol. 5, eds. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, reprint 1893), Herman Bavinck, Our Reasonable Faith (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1956), Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill, Discussion as a Way of Teaching (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005), Devotional Material Encourage your group to read the three devotional readings included in the Personal Study Guide. Study Material -- The Later Scenes: Something Greater than Jonah Pages from Surprised by Grace by Tullian Tchividjian -- To Justify Sinners Chapter 7 from Risen: 50 Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything by Steven D. Mathewson -- Glimpses of Resurrection Chapter 6 from Raised with Christ by Adrian Warnock --The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona -- Jonah and the Mission of God Article by Trevin Wax in The Mission of God Study Bible (p. 937) --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including Ancient Nineveh, can be purchased at Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. Sermon Podcasts J. D. Greear: I Am Jonah: Jonah 1:1-16 Steve Mathewson : How Jesus Resurrection Impacts Your Life Find links to these at gospelproject.com/additionalresources Tip of the Week Asking Questions with Purpose Different types of questions have different purposes that are necessary for good discussion. Some ask for more evidence ( How do you know that? ) or for clarification. Others include open questions, linking or extension questions ( Is there a connection? ), hypothetical questions, cause-andeffect questions ( How might halving our class size affect our discussion? ), and summary and synthesis questions ( What do you understand better as a result of today s discussion? ). Knowing the purpose of your questions can help you craft questions that are meaningful Leader Guide Spring 2014

13 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 2, Number 3 Spring 2014 Eric Geiger Vice President, Church Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Philip Nation Director, Adult Ministry Publishing Faith Whatley Director, Adult Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Leader Guide ESV (ISSN pending; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Kendell Easley is a professor of biblical studies at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and is the director of the Master of Christian Studies and Doctor of Ministry programs for Union s Stephen Olford Center. He has written ongoing curriculum for more than 20 years. Kendell is married to Nancy, and they have one married young adult son. Christian George (@PilgrimGeorge) is assistant professor of biblical and theological studies at Oklahoma Baptist University. He is the author of Sex, Sushi, & Salvation, Godology, and Sacred Travels. He earned his PhD from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Joey Jernigan serves as a lead pastor at Lanier Islands Community Church in Buford, Georgia. He also teaches as an assistant professor at Liberty University Online. He is married to Lindsay, and they have three daughters, Ella, Eden, and Emma. David Nasser is a nationally recognized speaker and author of A Call to Die, Glory Revealed, and Jumping Through Fires. He also serves as a pastor at Christ City Church in Birmingham, Alabama, where he lives with his wife and children. Halim Suh and his wife, Angela, have three kids and live in Austin, Texas, where he is pastor of teaching and theology at The Austin Stone Community Church. He is the author (with Matt Carter) of two Threads studies: Creation Unraveled and Creation Restored. Halim has a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. WRITERS