Jonah: Taking Part In God's Big StorySample

Jonah and Jesus

Throughout the book of Jonah, we have read about Jonah’s disobedience towards God and his journey of being thrown overboard at sea and swallowed by a great fish for three days and three nights. We have explored how Jonah then saw a whole city turn to God and yet He refused to rejoice in God’s goodness, forgiveness, love and mercy.

Hundreds of years later, it is interesting to note that Jesus spoke about Jonah too. In Matthew 12:38-41, we find Jesus in a conversation with some religious people who were opposing Him, accusing Him, not believing who He truly was and wanting to kill Him. In this conversation, Jesus gives an amazing insight into what was soon going to happen to Him.

Read Matthew 12:38-41

Questions

1. What is Jesus referring to in His comparison to Jonah’s story in verse 40?

2. a) What happened after Jonah’s experience with the huge fish? What were the results?

b) What happened after Jesus was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth? What were the results?

3. Jesus refers to His death and resurrection as a sign. What is it a sign of?

4. a) Discuss how you think the story of Jonah and what Jesus has done through His death and resurrection shows what God’s desire is for all people?

b) What are some of the ways that we can partner with God in His big story to restore the whole world?

5. In the book of Jonah, we see that God had an incredible and unique plan for Jonah’s life. For the most part, Jonah refused to partner with God’s plans and he missed out on the enjoyment and fulfillment he could have had when an entire city turned to God! God also has amazing plans and purposes for each one of us that He has designed for us to explore and enjoy. In what ways do you think following Jesus can help us discover the plans God has for our lives?

Learn more about the Camps, Family Missions + School Groups run by Scripture Union NSW www.sunsw.org.au