Sunday school -- lecture 1

Character: Jonah
Lesson: Grow and become successful in the love of God
When the word of the Lord first came to Jonah, he didn’t understand; therefore he fled. God sent great wind and violent storm, and then a great fish to save his life. With this life threatening incident, Jonah recognized his sin and looked again toward God. Then Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord a second time without hesitation.

Now Jonah proclaimed the message for the Lord -- a message of destructing a sinned city. Surprisingly, all the people in the city turned from their evil ways after the message was spread. God had compassion and did not bring upon the destruction. Jonah became angry with the plan changed. He did not understand the love of God.

Jonah stayed in a remote area to see how this city would turn out to be. God let a vine grow to give him shade and ease his discomfort. The next day, God let the vine die. Jonah became angry again with the death of the vine. This time, God pointed out that Jonah concerned about this vine eventhough he did not tend it or make it grow. God said, “Shouldn’t it be reasonable for me to concern about the people I have tended and grew?” Jonah finally understood the love and compassion of God on him and the other people.

God wanted Jonah to understand, to grow and become successful. Jonah made many mistakes, but God never punish him. Instead, God gave him enough time and space to learn from the mistakes. In the learning process, God never leave him alone. God was always there for Jonah regardless of whether he asked for or not.

Application: Assume everybody will grow and become successful. When people made mistake, never blame on them. Instead, we should provide our continuous patience and support for them to grow. Dear Heavenly Father, please grant me a pair of pleasing eyes to see the goods of others, or to recognize the tiny little improvement ppl have made.