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GET CONNECTED IN A SMALL GROUP
We are all truly better together! We are created by God to be connected with others. One way that we do this is through small groups. Small groups are three or more people who meet together regularly to study God’s word and share in the challenges of life. If you would like to learn more go to https://thebridgereno.com/smallgroups.

CARS MINISTRY
Mechanics Needed
The CARS Ministry is coming to The Bridge! CARS Ministry will be offering FREE car-servicing for single moms, widows, and families in need. If you’ve got the skills, the tools and the heart to help others, write CARS Mechanic and your contact information on the Connection Card at https://thebridgereno.com/connect.

FOSTER THE CITY INTEREST MEETING
Sunday, February 27, after the second service
The Bridge has partnered with Foster the City, a coalition of churches providing support and loving homes for children in foster care. Since 2015, Foster the City has grown to more than 200 churches and mobilized more than a thousand households – as Foster Parents, Support Friends, and Advocates. This meeting is to answer your questions and help you see how you can support this ministry. Go to https://fosterthecity.org/getinvolved and get involved.

BLOOD DRIVE @ THE BRIDGE
March 20 from 9:00a-12:00p
Our community is currently experiencing a critical shortage of blood. This means we have less than a two days supply of key blood types. The best thing you can do as a donor is to book your appointment early to help with plans to build a steady supply in the weeks ahead. In keeping with updated CDC guidance, masks will be required for all donors, staff, and guests, at all Vitalant blood drives and facilities regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for your understanding. COVID-19 vaccinated? Great! You are ABSOLUTELY allowed to give blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria. All donors, regardless of vaccination status, are needed for blood, platelet, and plasma donations. Reserve your donation time now at https://thebridgereno.com/donateblood and help our community rebuild our blood supply.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
You can support our mission using the Give Button in our App or online at https://thebridgereno.com/giving

Message Notes

This Is Us: Jonah - Running From God

Pastor Bill West
February 20, 2022

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.  
Jonah 1:1–4

Information about Jonah
He (King Jeroboam II) was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.
2 Kings 14:23–25

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:39–41

A Shocking Call: Get Up and Go Here
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.
Jonah 1:1-2

Jonah's Response: Turn and Run
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. 
Jonah 1:3a

When you Run, you should know...
You Pay a Price
After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. 
Jonah 1:3b

You Can’t Outrun God.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 
Jonah 1:4

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:7–12

Bottom Line: God Loves Us Enough to Come After Us: Even When We Don’t Want Him To!
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. What is Mercy? Talk about how you have seen God’s mercy in your life recently.  Discuss who deserves God’s mercy and what do we have to do to get it?

  1. Read Jonah 1:1-2:  God wants Jonah to go to Nineveh, Israel's enemy.  Jonah is the first prophet God calls to go to another nation to preach.  And this nation is their enemy: Why do you think Jonah refuses to go?  How do you think he felt about doing this? What would you have done? 

  1. Read Jonah 1:3-4:  What price did Jonah pay for running from God? Why did God bring the storm in Jonah’s life?   Has God ever brought a storm in your life? 

  1. Respond to this statement:  The Bible does not say that every difficulty/storm we face is a result of sin but that every sin will bring you into difficulty. Does sin always cost us? 

  1. Have you ever refused to obey God in some area of your life? Did you pay a price? How did your action affect others? What was the outcome?    

  1. Bill said there are two ways we run from God: What do you think?
  • We disobey Him and just do our own thing.
  • We obey God, not because we love Him but so that He owes us. 
  • Think about it: Which one is most like you? (Read and discuss Luke 15:11-31: Talk about how the two sons responded to their father)
  • Which one best describes your tendency to run from God?

  1. Read Psalm 139:7-12: What does this teach us about trying to run from God? Why does God often make it so hard for us?

  2. Pray for each other and for the Bridge Church to be a place where we obey God for the right reasons. 
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here