NO ONE IS OUTSIDE OF GOD’S REACH. 

SCRIPTURE | Jonah 3:1-10; 4:1-11 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

When we think like Jonah, we ignore the entire narrative of God’s Word—a narrative which shows God coming to save even the worst of us if we place our faith in Christ. If we label anyone as being incapable of receiving forgiveness or incapable of changing, then we are limiting God’s power. 

KEY QUESTION 

HAVE YOU EVER ASSUMED THAT SOME PEOPLE AREN’T ABLE TO BE FORGIVEN? WHY ISN’T THIS BIBLICAL? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Though most of our students would agree that God loves everyone, they may not love everyone. They may place conditions on sharing God’s love and only share with people they like being around. They may avoid people who make them uncomfortable and gravitate toward those who are like them or who don’t live offensive lifestyles. And this conditional attitude couldn’t be further from Jesus’s example. Not only did He claim with His words that God loves everyone (look no further than John 3:16), but Jesus’s actions proved this to be true. Jesus—God in flesh—went to the outcasts, to the sinners, to the tax collectors, to the sick. Though He never condoned their sin, Jesus loved those whom culture (and religion) called unlovable and unworthy. His love was unconditional. We must remind students that Jesus imitated the Father’s great love for us, and He calls us to do the same. 

APPLICATION 

JONAH’S OBEDIENCE LED TO NINEVEH’S FORGIVENESS. SO, WHAT COULD YOUR DISOBEDIENCE COST OTHERS? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Our students’ obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting them to speak to someone, to share the gospel, or to show kindness could contribute to that person experiencing God. Students could serve as a piece in a puzzle which points others to Christ! 

FOR THE LEADER: As leaders, we sometimes gravitate to certain students and ignore other students in the group. We may even give our time and attention to the students we think God can change more easily. It breeds an atmosphere of favoritism. When you show mercy and love to those who may seem too far gone, you’re agreeing with God that no one is outside of His love or His reach.