Sermon Study Guide

Q1: Icebreaker: What is a ministry that you would never want to do even if God called you to? Why?

Q2: In the first movement of the book, Jonah receives a call from the Lord to preach to the Ninevites. But Jonah, a prophet, goes the exact opposite direction. Why do you think he fled? There can be multiple interpretations here as the first chapter doesn’t say why.

Q3: In the second movement of the book, Jonah is on the boat with pagan sailors when an epic storm hits them. Jonah is sleeping instead of helping them. Eventually they threw him off the boat and the storm miraculously subsided. What do you think is wrong with Jonah? Try to analyze his emotional state and consequential behavior.

Q4: IIn the third movement of the book, God sends a great fish to swallow Jonah. In the belly of the beast, Jonah prays, and the fish spits him out onto land. Do you think Jonah was transformed? Why or why not, and how so?

Q5: Rick Warren says “Your greatest pain is your greatest ministry.” Share with a trusted friend your greatest pain.

Q6: How long do you think it would take you to serve God in the area related to your greatest pain? What would it take? To serve God not merely from your strengths, but from the depth of your soul and relationship with Him? From the power and presence of the Holy Spirit?

Q7: Which part of this message on Jonah in the belly of the beast resonated with you the most? Which part surprised you the most?