Men's Bible Study
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But His word was in mine
heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Jeremiah 20:9
heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Jeremiah 20:9
Lessons
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| Jonah: part 1 Jonah 1-2 |
| Lesson 15 - February 11, 2016 |
| Click on either logo for that respective version, or use the text below for your study. |
Jonah
Part 1
Jonah 1-2
Jonah is one of the unique prophets in the Bible. His difference was not so much in message but in behavior to God’s call. Let’s look at the first part of the book
and see how we can relate to Jonah’s behavior to God’s command.
1) Before the book of Jonah was written, he was mentioned earlier in the book of Kings. What message was given through him to the King and country of Israel?
2 Kings 14:23-26
2) After several decades later what was God’s command to Jonah?
Jonah 1:1-2
3) Notice how this command for Jonah was not for him to relay a message to his own people but a group who was not loved by the nation of Israel. If placed in a
similar situation how would you feel if God called you to relay a message to yours or community/country’s enemies?
4) In spite of God’s commands, what did Jonah do?
Jonah 1:3
5) We often get on Jonah for good reason in trying to disobey God. However, are there times when we chose to go the opposite of God’s call? What are some
examples you can think of (does not have to be personal).
6) In response to Jonah’s actions, what did God do to hinder his servant’s flight?
Jonah 1:4
7) Contrast and compare Jonah’s and the sailors’ reaction to the storm. What was there way to calculate who was to blame for their predicament?
Jonah 1:5-9
8) It is interesting that casting lots actually worked in revealing that Jonah was the cause of the storm. Do you believe that God used a technique familiar with
the people to reveal his plan? Why would God use this method to reveal his plan?
9) What ultimately stopped the storm?
Jonah 1:10-13
10) At first, the sailors turned to their own gods (vs 5) but after they threw Jonah off the ship who did they call on and what was their prayer?
Jonah 1:14-16
11) What happened to Jonah after being tossed in the water?
Jonah 1:17
12) It’s amazing that the sailors saw God during the plight of Jonah. What are some examples where people can see the Lord through you?
13) Describe Jonah’s prayer in the next block of verses. For each group of verses state something specific about his prayer to the Lord.
Jonah 2:1-3 -
Jonah 2:4-6 -
Jonah 2: 7-9 -
14) What did God do to help Jonah?
Jonah 2:10
15) It’s mentioned that a fish or some large nautical animal swallowed Jonah. It could have been a Sperm Whale because it’s large enough and most non-
baleen fish are not actually big enough to swallow a person whole. However, regardless of the animal what we do know is that something was sent to get Jonah’
s attention. Why do you believe God was willing to work with Jonah even after bold disobedience?
16) At his lowest moment, Jonah realized that he needed God and his connection to the Lord. Why do we sometimes have to reach a low moment for us to
recognize and come to Jesus?
17) The Assyrians wasn’t exactly the best people in the world. Why would God have a desire to save them? What can we learn from God in how we should treat
those who may not be the best person or group in society?
Just a Thought
Below is a map during Jonah’s time (please ignore the current name for the various countries). Nevertheless what we can learn is the mission that God had for
Jonah and where Jonah was trying to reach. It’s clearly further away than God’s original plan. Sometimes in life, we go out of our way to go against the Lord’s
message for personal reasons. Instead of doing that and trying to tempt God into drastically changing your mind, go with the mission that He has for you. The
Lord has a special plan that has been designed for you. Yes, not every message or goal may be what you think but to the Lord it’s important and necessary.
God is trying to save everyone. Not just Church people, but everyone. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
Part 1
Jonah 1-2
Jonah is one of the unique prophets in the Bible. His difference was not so much in message but in behavior to God’s call. Let’s look at the first part of the book
and see how we can relate to Jonah’s behavior to God’s command.
1) Before the book of Jonah was written, he was mentioned earlier in the book of Kings. What message was given through him to the King and country of Israel?
2 Kings 14:23-26
2) After several decades later what was God’s command to Jonah?
Jonah 1:1-2
3) Notice how this command for Jonah was not for him to relay a message to his own people but a group who was not loved by the nation of Israel. If placed in a
similar situation how would you feel if God called you to relay a message to yours or community/country’s enemies?
4) In spite of God’s commands, what did Jonah do?
Jonah 1:3
5) We often get on Jonah for good reason in trying to disobey God. However, are there times when we chose to go the opposite of God’s call? What are some
examples you can think of (does not have to be personal).
6) In response to Jonah’s actions, what did God do to hinder his servant’s flight?
Jonah 1:4
7) Contrast and compare Jonah’s and the sailors’ reaction to the storm. What was there way to calculate who was to blame for their predicament?
Jonah 1:5-9
8) It is interesting that casting lots actually worked in revealing that Jonah was the cause of the storm. Do you believe that God used a technique familiar with
the people to reveal his plan? Why would God use this method to reveal his plan?
9) What ultimately stopped the storm?
Jonah 1:10-13
10) At first, the sailors turned to their own gods (vs 5) but after they threw Jonah off the ship who did they call on and what was their prayer?
Jonah 1:14-16
11) What happened to Jonah after being tossed in the water?
Jonah 1:17
12) It’s amazing that the sailors saw God during the plight of Jonah. What are some examples where people can see the Lord through you?
13) Describe Jonah’s prayer in the next block of verses. For each group of verses state something specific about his prayer to the Lord.
Jonah 2:1-3 -
Jonah 2:4-6 -
Jonah 2: 7-9 -
14) What did God do to help Jonah?
Jonah 2:10
15) It’s mentioned that a fish or some large nautical animal swallowed Jonah. It could have been a Sperm Whale because it’s large enough and most non-
baleen fish are not actually big enough to swallow a person whole. However, regardless of the animal what we do know is that something was sent to get Jonah’
s attention. Why do you believe God was willing to work with Jonah even after bold disobedience?
16) At his lowest moment, Jonah realized that he needed God and his connection to the Lord. Why do we sometimes have to reach a low moment for us to
recognize and come to Jesus?
17) The Assyrians wasn’t exactly the best people in the world. Why would God have a desire to save them? What can we learn from God in how we should treat
those who may not be the best person or group in society?
Just a Thought
Below is a map during Jonah’s time (please ignore the current name for the various countries). Nevertheless what we can learn is the mission that God had for
Jonah and where Jonah was trying to reach. It’s clearly further away than God’s original plan. Sometimes in life, we go out of our way to go against the Lord’s
message for personal reasons. Instead of doing that and trying to tempt God into drastically changing your mind, go with the mission that He has for you. The
Lord has a special plan that has been designed for you. Yes, not every message or goal may be what you think but to the Lord it’s important and necessary.
God is trying to save everyone. Not just Church people, but everyone. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
