QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

1.     Jonah’s story is incredible because God sends him to Assyria – which would brutalize Israel within 50 years! Knowing the culture of Assyria, Jonah ran the other direction. When Jonah did finally go, many Assyrians repented! Do you think having God followers in Assyria made Israel’s time in exile easier? Do you find it hard to witness to enemies? Why/why not?

2.    Big picture view – Jonah is partly a statement against our hard hearts. The Ninevites repented (Jonah 3:6-9) and God relented (3:10) while Jonah got corrected (4:10-11). Do you find it easier to offer grace or to demand justice? Knowing what Assyria would do to Israel within a few decades, do you struggle with the grace God gave Assyria?  How do you relate to Jonah?  

3.     The main idea of Jonah in the Old Testament is not that a man survived inside a big fish for three days. We know this because Jesus says it was a sign of His resurrection (Matt 12:38-42). Jonah happened almost 800 years before Jesus’ resurrection. How does that affect your trust in        Jesus? When are you tempted to ask for more signs – like the scribes and Pharisees?

Want to dig deeper? Go directly to www.mikethebaptist.com. You will be able to listen or watch a conversation with Temple's pastors as they sit down and dive deeper into the weekly questions and content.