Jonah 4 | Bible Study Questions

Read Jonah chapter 4.
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas in these chapters?
What things is God in control of in this chapter? ("God appointed...")
How is Jonah's response to Ninevah's repentance different than God's response in Jonah 3:10?
How do Jonah's emotions change throughout this Jonah 4?

Why did God's relenting "displease Jonah exceedingly"?
1. Did Jonah know how God would respond to Ninevah's repentance?
2. Jonah seems to be angry at God's own character. Why is Jonah's anger unjust?
3. Was God merciful and slow to anger with Jonah?
After describing God's character in verse 2, Jonah concludes that it's better for him to die than to live. Why do you think Jonah felt so strongly?
1. God seems to ask a rhetorical question in verse 4 and 9. What is the answer?
2. Why do you think God asked Jonah this question? What did He want Jonah to understand?
Compare Jonah pitying the plant to God pitying Ninevah
1. Why did Jonah pity the plant which perished?
2. Why did God pity Ninevah?
3. What does this teach us about what God is like?

What is something in your own life that has made you "exceedingly displeased" recently?
1. Did you go to the Lord in prayer about it? One redeeming quality of Jonah in this chapter is that he does go to God in honest prayer.
2. How does knowing God's character help you to understand the difficulties you face?
Think about the last time you were angry. What did your anger help you to accomplish?
1. Have you ever been angry and done something you regret?
2. Read James 1:20. This was true for Jonah, and it's true for us today.
3. How can you be slower to anger this week?
A few times in Jonah, we see "pagans" show care for those who might perish (Jonah 1:6, Jonah 1:14, Jonah 3:9). But Jonah seems to only care for himself.
1. In the world today, do you see non-Christians caring for those who are perishing? Do they ever seem to care for them more than Christians do?
2. What is one way that Christians might be more concerned over their own well-being than the well-being of others?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing His Mercy is More to God and to one another.

Read Jonah chapter 4.
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas in these chapters?
What things is God in control of in this chapter? ("God appointed...")
How is Jonah's response to Ninevah's repentance different than God's response in Jonah 3:10?
How do Jonah's emotions change throughout this Jonah 4?

Why did God's relenting "displease Jonah exceedingly"?
1. Did Jonah know how God would respond to Ninevah's repentance?
2. Jonah seems to be angry at God's own character. Why is Jonah's anger unjust?
3. Was God merciful and slow to anger with Jonah?
After describing God's character in verse 2, Jonah concludes that it's better for him to die than to live. Why do you think Jonah felt so strongly?
1. God seems to ask a rhetorical question in verse 4 and 9. What is the answer?
2. Why do you think God asked Jonah this question? What did He want Jonah to understand?
Compare Jonah pitying the plant to God pitying Ninevah
1. Why did Jonah pity the plant which perished?
2. Why did God pity Ninevah?
3. What does this teach us about what God is like?

What is something in your own life that has made you "exceedingly displeased" recently?
1. Did you go to the Lord in prayer about it? One redeeming quality of Jonah in this chapter is that he does go to God in honest prayer.
2. How does knowing God's character help you to understand the difficulties you face?
Think about the last time you were angry. What did your anger help you to accomplish?
1. Have you ever been angry and done something you regret?
2. Read James 1:20. This was true for Jonah, and it's true for us today.
3. How can you be slower to anger this week?
A few times in Jonah, we see "pagans" show care for those who might perish (Jonah 1:6, Jonah 1:14, Jonah 3:9). But Jonah seems to only care for himself.
1. In the world today, do you see non-Christians caring for those who are perishing? Do they ever seem to care for them more than Christians do?
2. What is one way that Christians might be more concerned over their own well-being than the well-being of others?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing His Mercy is More to God and to one another.