2. People try to run from God
God called Jonah to go to:
The capital city of Assyria
That had captured the people of Israel
Taken them as captives
God called him to “call out against it”
Jonah knew God would be compassionate
Jonah
Didn’t like the Ninevites
Held a grudge against the people
Refused to go

3. People try to run from God
So Jonah went the opposite direction
Opposite end of the known world in the iron age

4. People try to run from God
Bought the ticket with his own money
He was serious about leaving God behind

5. People try to run from God
For your discussion:
Where can a person go to get away from God?
If people know they can’t get away from God, why do they still try to run?
What do you think “running from God” looks like today?

6. God makes His Power known even to seekers
The Sea became really rough
The Sailors:
Cried out to their own gods
Tried to fix the situation
Finally woke Jonah from his sleep
Told Jonah to call on his own god to save them
Then tried to determine who was at fault by casting lots
(God can use any method to convey His truth)
Asked what Jonah did to deserve his god’s anger.

7. God makes His Power known even to seekers
Jonah owns up to what he believes
I am a Hebrew
I worship God
Who made the sea and the land
It is my fault we are enduring this hardship

8. God makes His Power known even to seekers
The sailors
What should we do?
Did their best to save Jonah
Asked Jonah’s God to forgive them
Threw Jonah over
Worshipped Jonah’s God

9. God makes His Power known even to seekers
For your discussion
Do you think God uses difficult times in our lives to get our attention today?
Does God cause difficult times to get our attention?
Did Jonah want to give his testimony of his belief in God?
Were the sailors religious people?
Were the sailors open to hearing about other gods?
Why do you think the sailors worshipped Jonah’s God?

10. God makes us mark time while awaiting His will
God caused a big fish to swallow Jonah
Unlikely
Assume “my life is over”
God can use any avenue to make His will come about
Leave with these questions:
“What unlikely event has happened in your life that caused you to put your life on hold?”
“After the time of pause, did you see God more clearly?”