Jonah: Journeying with the Merciful God
Matthew McBirth
SESSION 1: A Disordered Setting
Opening Considerations:
❖ Most people are introduced to Jonah in two ways: _______________. and __________________
❖ There are many approaches to the main idea of Jonah:
❖ Jonah is a masterful story that displays humanity’s struggle to understand God as simultaneously
____________________ and ____________________
GENRE - There are three uncomfortable ways of communication in Jonah:
- _______________________
❖ Jonah 1: 1-4
❖ Prophet delivers a message from God to God’s people
❖ And tells the Ninevites how to respond to the message
- ____________________
❖ Jonah 3:8-9
❖ Not a parable
❖ Satire only works if the reality is true
- ____________________
❖ Jonah 4:2
❖ Jonah
❖ Ninevites
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
What had been your interaction with the book of Jonah before watching this session?
Which of the modes of communication in Jonah are you least comfortable with?
How do you define justice? How do you define mercy?
Why do you think it might be difficult to understand God as being both just and merciful?
