Jonah - God's Mercy when we are Obstinate

The class covers the opening of the book of Jonah, focusing on Jonah's call from God to preach to Nineveh and his subsequent disobedience by fleeing to Tarshish. It emphasizes the importance of God's word and the consequences of ignoring divine commands.

Passages: Jonah 1:1-4, Psalm 138:2, Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 60:6-8

The class discusses Jonah chapter 1, focusing on the mariners' conversion and their fear turning into faith. It highlights the progression of the mariners' mindset from fear to faith, emphasizing the importance of the fear of the Lord and wisdom in their salvation.

Passages: Jonah 1:5, Psalm 107:22-27, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Ecclesiastes 9:18, Hebrews 12:15

The class explores Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish, drawing parallels with Psalms to illustrate the power of prayer and the importance of repentance and obedience. It emphasizes God's grace and mercy even when faced with human obstinacy.

Passages: Jonah 1:17, Jonah 2:1-10, Psalm 119:67, Psalm 143:1-8

The class covers Jonah's second chance to preach to Nineveh, emphasizing God's mercy and willingness to give second opportunities. It also discusses the importance of repentance and forgiveness, using examples from Jonah and Philemon.

Passages: Jonah 3:1-10, Philemon 9-15

The class discusses Jonah's anger and disobedience after Nineveh repents, focusing on Jonah's emotional response and the lessons God provides through natural events. It explores Jonah's misunderstanding of God's mercy and the broader implications for Israel and the Gentiles.

Passages: Jonah 4:1-11, Romans 10:1

The class explores the covenant of friendship between David and Jonathan, emphasizing the importance of true friendships that stand the test of adversity. It highlights the selflessness and mutual support in their relationship, drawing parallels to the Christian's covenant with Jesus Christ.

Passages: 1 Samuel 18:1-3, 1 Samuel 20:1-3, 1 Samuel 23:17-18, 2 Samuel 1:26