Jonah: Conclusionfeatured

When I began to study the book of Jonah, I knew the story of Jonah. I knew the book contained the story of a man who was disobedient to God. Clearly and deliberately disobedient—he chose to go the other way. I knew in the story he would be thrown overboard when he admitted his wrongs,  and then swallowed by a fish. I remember feeling like I related to Jonah at different times in my life when I knew what I was choosing was against God’s desire for me. God would send a figurative fish to swallow me up and spit me back onto the path he wanted me on. I understood the story.

What I was missing before I studied this book was that this is not just a dynamic story, but a detailed account of God’s desires and power. His want to make himself known to all types of people. Over and over there is a theme of God’s control over nature: the sea, the storm, the fish, the plant, the worm. I think I was most surprised to learn that Jonah was not only disobedient to God, but his reasons for choosing that were cruel. Jonah’s heart was hardened toward a whole people group. Do you experience that? Do you want God to only love others you care about, who look, talk, and act like you? It’s easy to say that’s not us, but what do our actions say?

The Lord reveals big things to us about Himself through His words in the book of Jonah. Not just a Sunday school story, but the realities of God relenting of plans for disaster when people repent.

Through this study there is much I now see.

This week.

Prayer topics could include: praising the Lord for new things you enjoy about him or his qualities that were more deeply enforced through the book of Jonah, and prayer for God’s help as you reflect on what you studied this summer.

After completing the steps in the Option you have chosen for the week, please take time to fill out the follow up survey for this study. At this time you can also consider reviewing any of the study materials at the bottom of this post.

Option 1:

Write down what you would share if someone asked you what you know about the book of Jonah?

Option 2:

Write down any details you were previously familiar with before doing this study.
Write down what you would share if someone asked you what you now know about the book of Jonah?
Compare and contrast the two.

Option 3:

In Week 1 of this study the first question on the Intro + History worksheet was “Write down all the details of this story you are previously familiar with.” For this week: Write down all the details of the book of Jonah you are now familiar with. Compare and contrast this with your answer from Week 1. Tip: See if the different colored markings you made throughout the book are helpful as you group like information together.

Use the subject sentences you came up with throughout this study to make an outline of the book. Consider memorizing your outline or writing your subject sentences in the margin of you Bible for easier recall of what each section includes. This is a helpful tool to start to build knowledge of where things are in your Bible.

Additional Resources*:

• Read through notes in your Study Bible
• The Bible Project: Jonah Video
• John Piper Sermon
• Sermons from The Village Church

* As you look at additional resources, consider why it was important to complete each week’s study before referencing others’ thoughts or other study materials (sermons, commentaries, study Bible notes, etc.).
* Think about or make note of things you learn through these materials you did not see on your own.
* Ponder what difference it makes to find trusted sources instead of just taking in anything you find/search for.