Jonah & The Offensive Grace of God

Jonah 2

September 15, 2024

Joel Miles

Understanding the Story of Jonah

1. Common Retelling of Jonah
   Summarize the story of Jonah as it's commonly told. In this version, is there a good explanation for why Jonah was swallowed by the whale?
2. Surprising Elements in Jonah 1:13-17
   Read Jonah 1:13-17. What is surprising about the sailors’ efforts here? Would the story have made more sense if the sailors had simply returned to land? Why or why not? How does this question relate to Jonah being swallowed by the large fish?

Jonah’s Prayer and its Significance

1. Nature of the Sea and Being Swallowed (Jonah 2:1-2)
   Read Jonah 2:1-2. Based on these verses, how should we understand the nature of the sea and being swallowed by the fish?
2. Who Sent and Rescued Jonah? (Jonah 2:3-6)
   Read Jonah 2:3-6. Who does Jonah believe sent him to the “realm of the dead”? Who brought him out? Why is this important?
3. The Meaning of Jonah’s Prayer (Jonah 2:7-9)
   Read Jonah 2:7-9. What is Jonah expressing in this prayer? How might these verses help us apply this prayer to our own lives?

Jonah’s Redemption and Application for Us

1. Significance of Jonah's Vomiting and Sending (Jonah 3:1)
   Why is it significant that Jonah is only “vomited” onto dry land and sent to Nineveh after praying this prayer (Jonah 3:1)?
2. Applying Jonah’s Story to Us
   How does this apply to us today? Read Matthew 12:38-41; 16:13-27; Romans 6:1-14; 12:1-2. How do these passages help us understand how to apply Jonah’s story?
3. Practical Application and Spiritual Growth
   What practical steps can we take to apply this to our lives? How can we encourage each other to “die to ourselves” and live out God’s vision? Are there any spiritual disciplines we want to practice together?