Hear the Call

Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 4:1-4, 11 (Jonah’s call)

Connecting Question

What is a small irritation in your life?

What is a big irritation in your life?

Prayer for Illumination

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Context

Our series, HEAR THE CALL will look to Old Testament stories of Abram, Moses, David, Esther, Isaiah, and Jonah, each one had a calling and each one heard in their own ways. We can take heart knowing that they had difficulty with what God asked. We know God is calling each of us. What is your call? When we look at Easter, how do we know what God’s call is for Easter? How far will God call us to go? Let’s Hear the Call together.

From Dr Rolf Jacobson at EntertheBible.org:

Jonah is a story. When a person reads a story, he or she pays attention to things such as plot and characters. In terms of Jonah’s plot, one basic issue is, “What will God do with a prophet who disobeys God’s command?” A second central issue is, “On whom will God have mercy–just the Israelites, or also Nineveh and other places and people of great evil?” There are two central characters: Jonah and God. The basic issue with God is the question of whether God will have mercy on rebellious and wicked people–such as those who live in Nineveh or a prophet who rebels. The basic question with Jonah is whether he can learn to accommodate his own sense of right and wrong to the realities of God’s mercy.

Look at the Book

People may remember the Jonah story from popular culture. Open to Jonah 3. Skim over the previous couple of chapters and see what big event already happened. It was kind of fishy.
Tell about a time you had a second chance. What was it like?
Jonah 3 opens with Jonah’s second chance. What is God’s call?
Jonah goes to Nineveh; can you find Nineveh on a biblical map? Most scholars believe this would have been a 90-mile journey. Imagine that in biblical times? What about that distance makes this story more compelling?
This was a large city. How was it measured in the book of Jonah?
What is the content of the message he is to share? Where have you heard that specific number being used in other stories of the Bible?
How do the people of Nineveh respond? What was their posture? How do we publicly show repentance today?
What is an issue “we” as a larger community may being called to repentance? Why do you think that?
"Trust God” in verse 5 is not about belief according to Rabbi Robert Alter. Trusting God here is that the people trust that God will bring destruction; they are afraid and are willing to change course to stave off pain.
Verse 10 is powerful. What happens? What do you think of that?
In chapter 4, Jonah proclaims a truth about God’s mercy. What is it? Why is it offensive? Why is it also good news?
Remember that story Jesus told of two sons; one was a “prodigal.” Why is that story just as upsetting as Jonah?
We want God to take revenge on people we do not like, but God acts on God’s priorities. Based on Jonah, what are God’s priorities for handling sin?
What do you want to ask Jonah?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

Taking it Home

Last week, we read the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and chose one to write down. Do you remember which one it was? Did it show up this week?

Read the list again and choose one again for this week.

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | Oct 13, 2024