DAY 15
JONAH HIDES
Nothing God created is hidden from Him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us accountable for everything we do.
-Hebrews 4:13
PAUSE
Jonah lived during a time when God’s people had turned away from Him. The Jews had been taken from their homes and forced to live as slaves in foreign lands. One day, God gave Jonah a mission: He told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people that their city would be destroyed if they didn’t turn from their evil ways. But instead of obeying, Jonah decided to run from God and go as far away from Nineveh as possible. He found a ship heading to the most distant city he could find. However, Jonah couldn’t hide from God.
As the ship sailed, God sent a powerful storm that threatened to sink it. The terrified sailors began throwing cargo overboard to lighten the load. They begged Jonah to pray to his God, hoping He might stop the storm. But Jonah knew the storm wouldn’t end until he obeyed God. He told the sailors, “Throw me overboard, and the storm will stop.”
Reluctantly, the sailors threw Jonah into the sea. Immediately, the storm calmed, and the waters became still. Jonah sank into the depths of the sea, but God wasn’t done with him. Instead of letting Jonah drown, God sent a huge fish to swallow him. Inside the dark belly of the fish, Jonah had time to reflect. He prayed to God, asking for forgiveness for his disobedience.
After three days, the fish surfaced and spit Jonah out onto dry land. This time, Jonah obeyed God. He went to Nineveh and warned the people to turn from their sins. Jonah shared a powerful message: even though they had run far from God, God still loved them. Amazingly, the people of Nineveh believed Jonah and repented. Because of this, God spared their city.
Jonah’s story points to an even greater messenger: Jesus. Just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish, Jesus would spend three days in the tomb. And just as Jonah brought a message of salvation to the people of Nineveh, Jesus would bring a message of hope and forgiveness to the entire world—a message that would save us from our sins.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think Jonah chose to run away from God’s command instead of obeying Him? What can we learn from his initial response to God’s call?
When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, he prayed and asked for forgiveness. How does this part of the story show God’s mercy and willingness to forgive? Have you experienced a time when God showed you mercy after a mistake?
The people of Nineveh believed Jonah’s message and repented, and God spared them. What does this teach us about God’s love for everyone, even those who seem far from Him?
Jonah’s time in the fish points to Jesus’ time in the tomb. How does this connection deepen our understanding of God’s plan to save us through Jesus? What can we learn from comparing Jonah’s message to Nineveh with Jesus’ message to the world?
PRAY
Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we can be forgiven. We thank You because we don’t have to hide from You or be alone.
ACTIVITY
Advent Tree & Ornaments: If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find one that corresponds with today’s content - Jonah Hides. Then hang your 15th ornament on the tree.
Family Memories: Play “Hide and Seek”! Let your child pretend to be Jonah, and you try to find them. Use a big blanket to swallow them up and spit them out onto dry land (your bed)!
Take a photo or video of your family activity or hanging your 15th ornament. Post your pictures or videos to the Facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!
Nothing God created is hidden from Him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us accountable for everything we do.
-Hebrews 4:13
PAUSE
Jonah lived during a time when God’s people had turned away from Him. The Jews had been taken from their homes and forced to live as slaves in foreign lands. One day, God gave Jonah a mission: He told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people that their city would be destroyed if they didn’t turn from their evil ways. But instead of obeying, Jonah decided to run from God and go as far away from Nineveh as possible. He found a ship heading to the most distant city he could find. However, Jonah couldn’t hide from God.
As the ship sailed, God sent a powerful storm that threatened to sink it. The terrified sailors began throwing cargo overboard to lighten the load. They begged Jonah to pray to his God, hoping He might stop the storm. But Jonah knew the storm wouldn’t end until he obeyed God. He told the sailors, “Throw me overboard, and the storm will stop.”
Reluctantly, the sailors threw Jonah into the sea. Immediately, the storm calmed, and the waters became still. Jonah sank into the depths of the sea, but God wasn’t done with him. Instead of letting Jonah drown, God sent a huge fish to swallow him. Inside the dark belly of the fish, Jonah had time to reflect. He prayed to God, asking for forgiveness for his disobedience.
After three days, the fish surfaced and spit Jonah out onto dry land. This time, Jonah obeyed God. He went to Nineveh and warned the people to turn from their sins. Jonah shared a powerful message: even though they had run far from God, God still loved them. Amazingly, the people of Nineveh believed Jonah and repented. Because of this, God spared their city.
Jonah’s story points to an even greater messenger: Jesus. Just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish, Jesus would spend three days in the tomb. And just as Jonah brought a message of salvation to the people of Nineveh, Jesus would bring a message of hope and forgiveness to the entire world—a message that would save us from our sins.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think Jonah chose to run away from God’s command instead of obeying Him? What can we learn from his initial response to God’s call?
When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, he prayed and asked for forgiveness. How does this part of the story show God’s mercy and willingness to forgive? Have you experienced a time when God showed you mercy after a mistake?
The people of Nineveh believed Jonah’s message and repented, and God spared them. What does this teach us about God’s love for everyone, even those who seem far from Him?
Jonah’s time in the fish points to Jesus’ time in the tomb. How does this connection deepen our understanding of God’s plan to save us through Jesus? What can we learn from comparing Jonah’s message to Nineveh with Jesus’ message to the world?
PRAY
Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we can be forgiven. We thank You because we don’t have to hide from You or be alone.
ACTIVITY
Advent Tree & Ornaments: If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find one that corresponds with today’s content - Jonah Hides. Then hang your 15th ornament on the tree.
Family Memories: Play “Hide and Seek”! Let your child pretend to be Jonah, and you try to find them. Use a big blanket to swallow them up and spit them out onto dry land (your bed)!
Take a photo or video of your family activity or hanging your 15th ornament. Post your pictures or videos to the Facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!