28 | Jonah 3:1-10 | Study Guide

There are two ways to view the Bible:  

1. It is basically about you and what you should be doing.
2. It is basically about God and what He has done.   

How does each view impact how we read the Bible? Which view should we adopt as we read and study the Scriptures? How does each view shape how we read the story of Jonah?   

Questions 

Read Jonah 3:1–10.  

1. What does this passage teach us about God’s character (See: v.10)? Do you struggle to believe that God would show grace to such a wicked nation?  
2. Compare how quickly (and thoroughly) Nineveh responded to God’s Word with how slowly Jonah responded (Jonah 1:1–3). In what ways do we “pick and choose” how we obey God? How do we set limits on our obedience to God?
3. Read John 4:1–2. List the attributes of God from these passages. Which of these attributes do you most resonate with? Which ones do you struggle to believe? Which of these do you need to believe right now?
4. Consider Jonah’s anger at the people repenting (Jonah 4:1). Why is he upset? How different is this from Jesus, who wept over people not repenting (Luke 19:41)? How should the character of God shape how we view people far from Him? In what ways are we more like Jonah than Jesus?