救恩出於耶和華 Salvation comes from the Lord

Bible Study
約拿書 Jonah 2

Objective: to encourage brothers and sisters to reflect on God’s mercy in their life. *this bible study involves more feeling and reflecting than intellectual discussions.

Review of ch. 1 and Jonah’s character

Q: Based on what we have read in Ch.1 , please describe what you know about Jonah’s character and his actions.

Listen and experience
2「我在患難中求告耶和華，他就應允我；我從陰間的深處呼求，你就俯聽我的聲音。
3你將我投下深淵，直到海心；大水環繞我，你的波浪洪濤漫過我身。
4我說：『我從你眼前被驅逐，然而我仍要仰望你的聖殿。』
5眾水環繞我，幾乎淹沒我；深淵圍住我；海草纏繞我的頭。
6我下沉到山的根基，地的門閂將我永遠關住。耶和華－我的上帝啊，你卻將我的性命從地府裏救出來。
7我心靈發昏時，就想起耶和華。我的禱告進入你的聖殿，達到你面前。
8那信奉虛無神明的人，丟棄自己的慈愛；
9但我要以感謝的聲音向你獻祭。我所許的願，我必償還。救恩出於耶和華。」

Imagine
Q: what did Jonah see? Hear? Feel?
Q: Have you experienced situations similar to Jonah? Would you like to share?
Understanding Jonah’s prayer
Q: please find/circle/underline the words/phrases that is repeated in the text.

Jonah’s prayer can be separated into 3 parts. (2 – 4) (5 – 7) (8 – 9)

First two sections mirror each other.

Q: What type of prayer did Jonah make?

Q: If Jonah knew about God’s salvation, why did he make such an emotional prayer to give thanks?
Knowing God’s grace and experiencing God’s grace are very different.

Q: Have you make any prayer which you knew God’s answered? How did you feel?

Q: How does these experiences help you understand God’s character?