Experiencing God - Day 27
Day 27 - Tuesday, March 12
Read Jonah 1
Highlight
For the rest of this week we’re going to walk through the story of Jonah. For an overview of the book of Jonah take some time to watch this video from the Bible Project: Here
The story of Jonah sounds absurd in so many ways, but when we look closer we find that it also parallels the story of Israel itself and even our own stories. Jonah is obviously a reluctant servant. He is not prepared or willing to make the adjustments necessary to follow God in obedience and he makes this clear from the very beginning. We may wonder why God would bother to try to use a disobedient servant. However, isn’t the reality that most of us are reluctant to be obedient? It’s rare that our own will and comfort align with God’s calling.
Jesus says this even more directly in Luke 9:23-24: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Every person who chooses to say yes to God is inherently saying no to something else. Moreover, in the story of Jonah we find that our choice to follow (or not follow) God isn’t just costly for us, but it can also be costly for those around us. Yet God, in His mercy, gives Jonah another opportunity to do the right thing and even uses his disobedience to draw the sailors he put in jeopardy to Him.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Jonah 1
Highlight
For the rest of this week we’re going to walk through the story of Jonah. For an overview of the book of Jonah take some time to watch this video from the Bible Project: Here
The story of Jonah sounds absurd in so many ways, but when we look closer we find that it also parallels the story of Israel itself and even our own stories. Jonah is obviously a reluctant servant. He is not prepared or willing to make the adjustments necessary to follow God in obedience and he makes this clear from the very beginning. We may wonder why God would bother to try to use a disobedient servant. However, isn’t the reality that most of us are reluctant to be obedient? It’s rare that our own will and comfort align with God’s calling.
Jesus says this even more directly in Luke 9:23-24: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Every person who chooses to say yes to God is inherently saying no to something else. Moreover, in the story of Jonah we find that our choice to follow (or not follow) God isn’t just costly for us, but it can also be costly for those around us. Yet God, in His mercy, gives Jonah another opportunity to do the right thing and even uses his disobedience to draw the sailors he put in jeopardy to Him.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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