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The Reluctant Missionary – A Four-Week Study on Jonah

At St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas, we’re launching a new four-week Bible study on the book of Jonah, beginning this Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm. We’re calling it "The Reluctant Missionary" because Jonah’s story is one of calling, resistance, and ultimately, God’s relentless mission to reach the nations.

Why Jonah?

Jonah is one of the most unusual prophets in the Old Testament. Unlike Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel, who proclaimed God’s message to Israel, Jonah was sent to a foreign city—Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. Rather than embracing his calling, he ran in the opposite direction. His story is not just about a great fish but about the heart of mission—God’s heart for the lost and our own response to His call.

Jonah’s world was shaped by Assyria’s dominance. The Assyrians were notorious for their cruelty, and their empire was the greatest threat to Israel’s survival. God’s command to Jonah—to go and preach to Nineveh—was shocking. Why would God extend mercy to Israel’s enemies? But this is where the book of Jonah challenges us. It forces us to ask:

  • Do we resist God’s call to mission?
  • Do we struggle with sharing the gospel with those we dislike or fear?
  • How does God shape and change our hearts through mission?

Four Weeks in Jonah

Each week, we’ll explore one chapter of Jonah, drawing out themes of mission, obedience, and God’s heart for the nations. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Week 1: Running from the Call (Jonah 1)

Jonah receives a clear command from God but chooses to run the other way. He boards a ship to Tarshish—deliberately fleeing from God’s presence. But as the storm rages, the pagan sailors show more reverence for God than Jonah does. This week, we’ll consider our own reluctance in mission and reflect on how God often calls us out of our comfort zones for His purposes.

Week 2: Swallowed by Grace (Jonah 2)

Thrown into the sea, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. In the belly of the fish, he prays a psalm of repentance and dependence on God. This chapter reveals that even when we run, God pursues us in grace. What happens when we feel far from God? How does He use difficulty to reshape us for His mission?

Week 3: Revival in Nineveh (Jonah 3)

After Jonah is given a second chance, he reluctantly preaches in Nineveh—and the unthinkable happens: the entire city repents! This week, we’ll explore how God can use even reluctant messengers to accomplish His purposes and how the gospel has the power to transform even the most unexpected people and places.

Week 4: The Angry Prophet and the Merciful God (Jonah 4)

Despite Nineveh’s repentance, Jonah is furious. He wanted judgment, not mercy. God’s response reveals His compassion for all people—even those we consider beyond redemption. This final week, we’ll wrestle with our own attitudes toward mission, grace, and God’s wider purposes in the world.

Join Us!

This study is open to everyone—whether you’ve never read Jonah before or have studied it many times. We’ll meet each Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the church lounge, with time for discussion and reflection.

Come and be challenged, encouraged, and equipped as we explore what it means to live as God’s people on mission.

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