Dates: October 19 – November 9, 2025

Subtitle: Choosing to care, even when it hurts.

Key Passages: Jonah 1–4

Formation Practice:

• Breath prayer: “Lord, soften my heart.”
  
  
• Identify what you’re avoiding emotionally or spiritually.
  
  
• Write a letter to someone you’ve given up on (even if you don’t send it).
  
  
• Serve someone who is “hard to care for.”
  
  

Series Synopsis

Jonah wasn’t just running from a mission; he was running from feeling. He was numb to Nineveh, bitter toward mercy, and disengaged from his calling.

In this four-week series, we’ll trace Jonah’s emotional and spiritual journey as a mirror for our own: a warning against apathy, a call to compassion, and a God who keeps pursuing even when we shut down.

Whether it’s burnout, cynicism, or overwhelm, many of us are tempted to numb out. But God’s invitation is to wake up to love again—even when it costs us. Jonah shows us that growth isn’t just about doing what’s right—it’s about letting our hearts break for what breaks God’s.

🧭 Series Roadmap

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Oct 19

Sleeping Through the Storm

Jonah 1:1–17

Numbness promises peace but delivers distance.

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Oct 26

In the Belly of the Beast

Jonah 2

God is waiting where we are avoiding.

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Nov 2

From Running to Returning

Jonah 3

Learning to love who you hate.
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4

Nov 9

Angry About Grace

Jonah 4

Bitterness costs more than kindness.

📚 Recommended Reading

Books to Go Deeper

• The Prodigal Prophet – Tim Keller
  
  
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality – Pete Scazzero
  
  
• The Deeply Formed Life – Rich Villodas
  
  
• Reappearing Church – Mark Sayers
  
  
• Beautiful Resistance – Jon Tyson
  
  
• Prophetic Lament – Soong-Chan Rah
  
  

Bible Studies / Devotionals

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day – Pete Scazzero
  
  
• Jonah: Navigating a Reluctant Heart – Lifeway Studies

🎧 Podcasts & Messages

• Gospel in Life – Tim Keller
  
  
• This Cultural Moment – Mark Sayers & John Mark Comer
  
  
• Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast – Pete Scazzero
  
  
• Church for the City – Jon Tyson

Websites

gospelinlife.com

emotionallyhealthy.org

practicingtheway.org

🧠 Key Concepts & Practices

Spiritual Practices to Try:

• Breath Prayer: “Lord, soften my heart.” Use it whenever you sense detachment or overload.
  
  
• Letter of Compassion: Write to someone you’ve grown cold toward. Even if unsent, it reopens empathy.
  
  
• Service as Antidote: Intentionally serve someone who is difficult for you. Compassion grows through movement.
  
  

Key Terms:

• Numbness – Emotional or spiritual disengagement as a form of self-protection.
  
  
• Compassion Fatigue – Exhaustion that follows unbalanced caring.
  
  
• Mercy – God’s compassion toward those who don’t deserve it—including us.
  
  
• Call – God’s invitation to participate in His restorative work of love.

🙌 Community & Next Steps

• Serve on a Team
  
  
• Join a Small Group
  
  
• Invite a friend who’s been burned out or disconnected
  
  

Weekly Challenge:

“This week, I will care about ________ again.”

✍️ Reflection & Prayer Prompts

• What area of your life have you gone emotionally numb to?
  
  
• Where might God be inviting you to feel again?
  
  
• Who or what is God calling you to move toward in compassion this week?
  
  
• How could God’s mercy reshape your heart?
  
  

Prayer

God, awaken me again to Your mercy.

Soften what’s hard, stir what’s asleep,

and help me care where I’ve stopped caring.

📌 Notes

Use this space to jot down anything God is teaching you, resources people share with you, or questions to bring to your group or pastor.

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