Free group study handout
Jonah 1: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Jonah 1 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Yahweh’s word comes to Jonah, son of Amittai, instructing him to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness (vv. 1-2). Instead of obeying, Jonah rises to flee to Tarshish, trying to escape Yahweh's presence (vv.
Key verse
“Then the men feared Yahweh exceedingly; and they offered a sacrifice to Yahweh, and made vows.”
Jonah 1:16 (WEB)
Outline
- Jonah 1:1–2 God's Call to Jonah
- Jonah 1:3–4 Jonah's Flight
- Jonah 1:5–6 The Storm at Sea
- Jonah 1:7–10 Discovery of Guilt
- Jonah 1:11–14 Seeking a Solution
- Jonah 1:15–16 Jonah Thrown Overboard
- Jonah 1:17 Jonah in the Fish
Discussion questions
- In v2, what specific task does Yahweh give to Jonah?
- What action do the sailors take in v5 when they face the storm?
- Jonah's response in v3: why does he flee to Tarshish instead of obeying Yahweh?
- The sailors' fear in v10: how does it connect to Jonah's admission of fleeing from Yahweh?
- When have you felt the urge to run away from a difficult responsibility like Jonah did?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Jonah 1: Luke 11, Matthew 12, Psalm 107.
Before next time: read Jonah 2.