June 12 | Discovery

STUDY QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

By Micah Odor

1. When you think of a major turnaround, what do you think of? It could be from a favorite movie or book, a favorite sports team, a business, or almost anything else.

2. Last week we discussed that nothing is out of God’s view or out of his reach. How did you demonstrate that this week?

Ask two people to read aloud Jonah 2:1-3, 5-7 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask the same two people to each read Jonah 3:5-10. Repeat the process with Joel 2:12-17.

3. How would you characterize Jonah’s prayers from inside the fish? Focus on the images, emotions, and decisions that came up.

• What did you feel as you read the prayers?

• What did it remind you of?

4. What is the major turning point in Jonah 3:5-10, and why would it be a surprise to its original readers?

5. What parts of the king’s proclamation in verses 7-9 could apply to us today? What parts would not?

6. What can we learn about God from this week’s passage?

7. What can we learn about ourselves or others?

8. Sometimes change seems impossible. We’re on a path we think we’ll never leave; we can’t pick a new direction. But these passages show that’s not the case. What “turning points” in your walk with God is he currently offering you?

9. Based on what we’ve discussed, what are you doing well?

10. Based on what we’ve discussed, what could you do differently in obeying God this week?

11. Who needs to hear this story, and how will you tell them?

12. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Jonah 3:10–4:11 and Joel 2:18-27 as we continue our study of the Early Minor Prophets. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.