1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 4 And the LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. 5 Then the sailors became afraid, and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the ship's hold, lain down, and fallen sound asleep. 6 So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 1:1-6, NASB)

Note on Chapter 1: Most of the first questions are fact-finding questions and are brief to answer. Don’t get caught up there; make sure you go to the end and discuss the more important questions towards the end of the basic study.

Basic Study Questions

Basic study questions are largely derived from the text and a general understanding of the Bible and historical background. Advanced questions require more thought and research.

Jonah 1:7-17

7 And each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”--for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them. 14 Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for Thou, O LORD, hast done as Thou hast pleased.” 15 So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. 17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:7-17, NASB)

1. What did the crew find out from the lot that was drawn (1:7-10)? List at least three things they found out about Jonah.

2. Why were the men alarmed when they heard Jonah answer (1:10)?

3. What did the men do after hearing Jonah (1:11)? What did Jonah advise them (1:12)?

4. How did the men respond to Jonah’s suggestion (1:13)? Why do you think they responded this way? How come the storm got worse?

5. What did the men do next (1:14-15)? How does that differ from verse 5?

6. What happened to the storm upon throwing Jonah in the sea (1:15)? How did the men then respond (1:16)?

7. Do you think we should conclude that disobedience is okay because it brings people to understand God more? Why or why not?

8. What happened to Jonah (1:17)? For how long? What might have Jonah’s experience been like?

9. What did Jonah’s experience of 3 days and nights in the belly of the fish predict? How do we know? Refer to Matthew 12:39-40.

10. Jonah’s life was used as a type for Jesus’ death and resurrection. How does Jonah’s life as a prophet in this book differ from Jesus’ life?

11. Do you think God was trying to bring Jonah to repentance or to punish him for his disobedience? Why do you think so?

12. What do you think the major point of chapter 1 is? Have you ever openly disobeyed the Lord? Can you retell some consequences?

13. List some reasons God’s people disobey the Lord. What forms of disobedience are you most susceptible to? Why?

=> Jonah chapter 1: Advanced study questions