Discussion Questions

1. Today is the second week of our series called “Jonah & the Relentless Love of God.” Jonah is only four chapters long. I encourage you to read it start to finish before moving on to the rest of these questions. It will only take about fifteen minutes, but I promise it will be well worth the time.

2. In the second half of Jonah chapter 1, God sends a violent storm and the sailors on the ship all begin to cry out to their own gods for deliverance. It’s interesting how these pagan sailors recognize the work of God around them, but the prophet Jonah is “asleep below deck.” God is still alive and active in our world, but like Jonah sometimes we don’t see or recognize it. Take time to pray that God would open your eyes to see what He is doing in the world around you today.

3. The sailors discover that Jonah is to blame for the storm and ask him what can be done. Jonah replies, “pick me up and throw me into the sea.” But the sailors are terrified, they don’t want Jonah's death to be their fault. What an interesting story, the pagan sailors fear God, but the prophet runs away from Him. Have you ever seen someone you thought was unlikely to turn to God but then did? How was that encouraging to you on your own faith journey?

4. By the end of this passage Jonah is tossed into the sea, the storm stops, and the sailors offer sacrifices to God and make vows to Him. Jonah’s story appears to be over, but God had other plans. Can you think of a time or situation in your life where the story appeared to be over, but God had other plans? How did God see you faithfully through a hard time? How did it affect your faith life?