FFC’s Winter Series Study Guide – Jonah 1

Jonah 1:1-3 (Jan 11), Jonah 1:4-16 (Jan 18), Jonah 1:17 (Jan 25)
Just about everyone knows the story of “Jonah and the whale.” This biblical
narrative of a reluctant prophet and a large fish captures our imagination, doesn’t
it? But put yourself in Jonah’s place. Imagine being told to go preach on a street
corner. Feeling uncomfortable? Now image being told to go preach on a street
corner of a teeming urban center that is not only a huge seedbed of evil, but also
the capital city of a powerful foreign enemy? Feeling more resistant? This is just
the situation Jonah faced, and he was uncomfortable. In this historical drama of
an incredible encounter between God, man, and nature, we see God’s great
concern and love for sinners everywhere.

Discussion Questions

1. What did God tell Jonah to do and what were God’s reasons?

2. How did Jonah respond and what were his reasons for responding as he did?

3. Name 2-3 positive aspects of Jonah’s assignment. Name 2-3 negative aspects of Jonah’s assignment.

4. What are some reasons Christians flee from God’s presence.

5. What are your reasons for fleeing from God?

6. How were the people around Jonah affected by Jonah’s response?

7. What religious convictions did the sailors’ actions reveal?

8. What did Jonah believe about God?

9. Did his actions contradict his beliefs?

10. What do you now know about God from this chapter?

11. Do your actions/attitudes contradict your knowledge and belief about God?

12. When you run from God, what brings you back?
Extra Hints

Concerning the overview…

…It was obvious that Ninevah was in God’s heart. And now God was going to get Ninevah in Jonah’s heart, too!
Sometimes we’re slow to see others as God does, aren’t we?
…Every chapter in this short book ends with a “But God” type of closing – verses that speak of God’s sovereign
providence and salvation. (1:17; 2:9-10; 3:10; 4:10) Whether it was Ninevah or Jonah, God was always the one
making the rescue. What a striking way to point to who it is that really saves!

Concerning 1:1-3…
…When we run from God, it reveals something about us. It is an outward indication that something is wrong inside.
What was Jonah running from? What was he afraid of? Success! And I don’t mean an external type of “I made it”
image. I’m talking about success in what matters most – soul success. He knew that God’s salvation would override
the sin of the city, and instead of embracing the inevitable spiritual success of others, he sabotaged it by running.
What a shame that when God needed a missionary, Jonah went AWOL and was more like a “missing-ary.”

Concerning 1:4-16…
… Jonah ran, but he couldn’t hide. Here’s an irony: Even in his reluctant awakening, God used Jonah to bring people
(i.e., the sailors) to repentance. Isn’t God incredible? It was perhaps a preview, even in his disobedience, of how God
was going to use Jonah in his obedience. Make no mistake, though – God will use us one way or the other!
…Jonah’s “running but not hiding” hints at a future runner – Peter! Remember how he denied his Lord three times,
and still Jesus found him? With one look Christ penetrated his pseudo-seclusion and brought him back to a place of
obedience. I suspect both Jonah and Peter ran physically, but mentally they could not flee from the ringing call of
God. Excuses may empower your feet, but they don’t erase your memory.

Concerning 1:17…
…At the end of our excuses? Redemption! Unfortunately, we falsely think that when we come to the end of our
running , well, the end is here and life is over. Actually, it’s the beginning of real life. God wants us to come to the
end of ourselves, for that’s when he can take over and bring us to himself. Recall the prodigal son? The text in Luke
actually reads, “When he came to the end of himself…” At that point he came home, and that’s when the party
began. Life was never as good as when he came to the end of himself. Guess what? That’s where God wants all of
us!
My Additional Notes