Focus on the Book of Jonah — A 4-Part Series
Book Overview
Jonah is a short but powerful book — just four chapters — yet it speaks deeply about obedience, surrender, God’s mercy, and the tension between our will and God’s will.
It is the story of a man called by God, who chose to go in the opposite direction.
Through Jonah’s journey, we see:
- the tension between our will and God’s will
- the impact of our choices on others
- God’s persistence when we resist his instruction
- and his mercy, even for those we believe are not deserving
To get the most out of the series, I highly recommend that you read each chapter of the book fully. I pray the series bless you.
Part 1 — Chapter 1: Running from God
What happened
- God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach against it because of its wickedness (Jonah 1:2)
- Jonah chooses to run in the opposite direction
- A storm sent by God arises and threatens to break the ship apart
- Others are affected by his disobedience (the sailors)
- Jonah is eventually thrown into the sea to bring calm and save those onboard
Key Insights
- Our will vs God’s will
Jonah knew what God asked — he just didn’t agree with it. - Running away does not necessarily cancel the assignment
God pursued Jonah. - Disobedience affects others
The storm did not impact Jonah alone — those around him were drawn into it.
Reflection
- Are there moments where you sense God leading you, but you hesitate or resist?
- What might be influencing that hesitation or resistance?