When God Quiets the Storm (Jonah 1:11-17; Matthew 12:38-40)

WHEN GOD QUIETS THE STORM

JONAH 1:11-17; MATTHEW 12:38-40

The LORD stills the chaos for those who trust and obey him.

I. SEARCHING (1:11-12)

A. More Questions (1:11)

B. An Honest Answer (1:12; cf. Leviticus 19:18, John 15:12-13)

II. STRAINING (1:13-14)

A. Human Attempt (1:13; cf. Jonah 1:6)

B. Invoking YHWH (1:4; cf. Deuteronomy 21:8-9)

III. SURRENDERING (1:15-17)

A. Surrendering Jonah (1:15)

B. Big Fear (1:16; cf. Romans 12:1, Hebrews 13:15-16)

C. Big Fish (1:17; cf. Matthew 12:38-40)

D. A Table in the Storm

DISCUSSION STARTERS

1. Monday—What do you tend to do when life feels like a storm that’s getting worse and worse? What’s your relationship with God like in those moments?

2. Tuesday—What do the sailors ask Jonah? Discuss what this says about their characters. How does Jonah answer and how does it differ from his previous answer?

3. Wednesday—How do the sailors respond to Jonah’s solution? What do they do? Talk about the sailors’ response, how does it reflect your own self-effort to attempt to calm the storm(s) in your life? Do you find yourself trying to fix your problems on your own?

4. Thursday—After the sailors failed effort, what do they do? What signifies that the sailors have turned to the God of Israel?

5. Friday—Discuss the sailors response to the LORD quieting the storm. Should you also make sacrifice and vows? Talk about Jonah being in the belly of the fish and Jesus’ death?