SESSION 3: The Fleeing Follower (Chapter 1)
Opening Considerations:
When we see God’s will and are resistant, God shows us mercy and persistence.
God is merciful in that he does not push us away as we disobey, but he is just in that he does not
let us determine his will.
READ THE STORY
❖Jonah flees in the direction. ____________________
○Verse 3 - Tarshish is the furthest ____________ one could go. Assyria was ____________
○Verse 4 - The ship is personified.
○Verse 7 - The _________________ questions Jonah.
○Verse 9 – The sailors come across.
○Verse 13 - The men _________________. ____________________ hard. (This has the imagery of digging, thus, the
sailors are digging into the sea to push out.)
○Verse 17 - Even the ______. ________________ obeys God. Why doesn’t Jonah?.
HEAR THE STORY
❖There are two ____________________ that display God’s justice and mercy:
○Jonah and justice - Jonah is doing the very thing Nineveh is doing.
○The ____________________ ________________ show Jonah mercy.
RECEIVE THE STORY
What does this mean for us? What do we do when we find ourselves disagreeing with God’s will?
Don’t ________________ like Jonah. Trust God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense.
When you do respond like Jonah, notice how God showers you with ________________
even in your disobedience.
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
What stands out to you as you read chapter 1?
What connections do you see with Jonah 1 with the overall theme of the book of Jonah?
Have you ever found yourself in Jonah’s shoes, doing the very thing you are upset at others for
doing?
- How have you seen God’s mercy to you even when you were being disobedient?
