Week 5: Jonah 3:1-3afeatured

Welcome to the fifth week of this summer study through the book of Jonah.
This week our focus will be on Jonah 3:1-3a.

And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. These were the opening words of our text in Week 4: Jonah 1:17-2:10. This section was like a sandwich where the meat (or PB&J—you choose) was Jonah’s prayer to the Lord and the bread on each side was God appointing a fish to swallow him, and God telling the fish to vomit Jonah upon the dry land. This section is descriptive of Jonah’s experience, and overflows with opportunity to see our God as a God who is in control of nature. He appointed a great fish; he cast [Jonah] into the deep. In his prayer to the Lord, Jonah refers to the waters as all your waves and your billows. We also see references such as he answered me, you heard, your sight. Which narrate for us the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land is a God who hears and sees us. We are made aware of our likeness to Jonah as we treasure these words he speaks: Yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.

Comment below and answer these questions for Jonah 1:17-2:10:
“What are the themes you saw in the text?”
“What application did you draw?”
“Did anything stand out to you about how Jonah prayed?”
“Was there anything you saw highlighted by the other parts of scripture you referenced?”

This week.

Start everyday with prayer.
Prayer topics could include: seeing clearly God’s call for Jonah and for the Lord’s help in drawing application from the text.
Continue to practice the order of the names of the books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus…Zechariah, Malachi).

After completing the steps in the Option you have chosen for the week, is a good time to meet with others for discussion. Try to complete the steps for at least one of the options fully before referencing others’ thoughts or other study materials (sermons, commentaries, study Bible notes, etc.). Share comments on this post of anything you are learning, seeing, or applying.

Option 1:

Use day 1 to read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Use a green colored pencil to circle any time you see Jonah (or pronouns that take the place of Jonah in this text, example: he, you, etc.).
Use a green colored pencil to underline verbs describing what he is, does, or is commanded to (action words or passive verbs: is, was, etc.).
Use a black colored pencil to circle any time you see other people mentioned (or their respective pronouns, example: mariners, captain, they, us, etc.).
Use a black colored pencil to underline verbs describing the other characters.
Answer these questions:
“What differences do I see between Jonah and the other characters mentioned?” Hint: notice things they do, feel, say, etc.
“What does this passage show me about man?” or “What is the fallen condition I see?”

On day 2, read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Use a blue colored pencil to draw a box around references for God (example: word of the LORD, LORD the God of heaven, etc.).
Use a blue colored pencil to underline and verbs describing what God does or who he is.
Today answer the question, “What does this passage show me about God?”

On day 3, read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Do we see commands in the text? Can we praise God for something we see about his character? Has this revealed anything to repent of? Answer the question, “What should I do, understand, believe, or desire, because of the things I see in this text?”

Use any additional days you study this week to read or listen through the whole book, or practice steps from Option 2.

Option 2:

Use day 1 to read through Jonah 3:1-3a and make the following marks in your text:

• Use a green colored pencil to circle any time you see Jonah (or pronouns that take the place of Jonah in this text, example: he, you, etc.).
• Use a green colored pencil to underline verbs describing what he is, does, or is commanded to (action words or passive verbs: is, was, etc.).
• Use a black colored pencil to circle any time you see other people mentioned (or their respective pronouns, example: mariners, captain, they, us, etc.).
• Use a black colored pencil to underline verbs describing the other characters.
• Use a blue colored pencil to draw a box around references for God (example: word of the LORD, LORD the God of heaven, etc.).
• Use a blue colored pencil to underline and verbs describing what God does or who he is.
• Draw a question mark above any words you could not comfortably or clearly define (sometimes this is words we feel familiar with, but don’t concisely know definitions to).

On day 2 read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Look up definitions for words you marked with question marks.
Then read Jonah 1:1-3. Compare and contrast what you see in the two texts.
Make any helpful notes in your text.

For day 3, read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Review your notes and markings and use them to guide you to answer the following questions:

1. “What differences do I see between Jonah and the other characters mentioned?” Hint: notice things they do, feel, say, etc.
2. “What does this passage show me about man?” “Is there a fallen condition I see?”
3. “What does this passage show me about God?” “Why does God want Jonah to go to Nineveh?” 
4. “What is the same in Jonah 3:1-3a and Jonah 1:1-3?” “What is different?”

For day 4, read Jonah 3:1-3a.
Choose between following the applications steps in Option 1, day 3 or Option 3, day 5.

Use any additional days you study this week to read or listen through the whole book, or practice steps from Option 3.

Option 3:

On day 1, read Jonah 3:1-3a* and use the following key to mark your text:

• Use a green colored pencil to circle any time you see Jonah (or pronouns that take the place of Jonah in this text, example: he, you, etc.).
• Use a green colored pencil to underline verbs describing what he is, does, or is commanded to (action words or passive verbs: is, was, etc.).
• Use a black colored pencil to circle any time you see other people mentioned (or their respective pronouns, example: mariners, captain, they, us, etc.).
• Use a black colored pencil to underline verbs describing the other characters.
• Use a blue colored pencil to draw a box around references for God (example: word of the LORD, LORD the God of heaven, etc.).
• Use a blue colored pencil to underline and verbs describing what God does or who he is.
• Draw a question mark above any words you could not comfortably or clearly define (sometimes this is words we feel familiar with, but don’t concisely know definitions to)
• Choose a way to mark different words you see repeated (example: drawing a blue triangle anytime you see the word ship)
• Add any other markings or notes that make sense to you

Use day 2 to, read Jonah 3:1-3a. Then look up definitions for any words you marked with question marks. Make helpful notes in your text.
Rewrite verse one in your own words, restating it as if you were asked the questions “What does verse one say?” Include facts only, trying to condense the verse. Repeat this step for verses two and three (a). Write a subject sentence or header for Jonah 3:1-3a using ten words or less.

Day 3, read Jonah 3:1-3a. Then read Jonah 1:1-3.
Write or hold the two sections side by side. Also view your notes for each section side by side.
Note the similarities and differences you see with each passage.

On day 4, read Jonah 3:1-3a. Review the marks you made on day 1. Consider what the text says about God, and Jonah/man. Know the meaning of the text runs deeper than the words on the page; also consider positions of the heart. Main truths or principles would be true for the original audience, and for us—they are doctrinal statements that supersede time and culture. Answer this question for each division you made on day 3: “What are the main truths or principles in this section?”

For day 5, read Jonah 3:1-3a. Review your main truths and principles from day 4. Application is aimed at the heart and seeks to answer the questions, “How should the truths of this passage change me?” Application is not always individual; it may be corporate. It is not always about what we should do: it should affect our hearts, minds, and wills. Other questions that may guide us toward application are: If this is true, then what? What does it tell us about God, Jesus, humanity, or history? What does this expose about our culture or our idols? Does this shine light on misplaces hopes, ideas, or expectations? Why do we enjoy or not enjoy this passage? How might we mishear this? Repentance, praise, and belief are legitimate applications. Try to avoid yes/no questions, write out at least one application question for each division and then your answer(s).

At this point, gather with others to share what you have learned and bring up any lingering questions you have.

*As you have opportunity throughout the week read/listen through the whole book of Jonah.