We think we know the story of Jonah.
There’s a fish. There’s a reluctant prophet. There’s a city called Nineveh. But what if there is a whole lot more going on beneath the surface?
Join me for a one-day Bible deep dive as we step into the world of Jonah and Nineveh and take the time to really look at the text. We’ll explore the history and culture of Nineveh, dig into some of the Hebrew words and ideas that can get lost in translation, consider who Jonah was and why this little book was written, and wrestle with what the story reveals about the character of God.
And Nineveh? We're going to spend some time there. Because Nineveh wasn't just a random city on a map. Understanding who these people were—and why Jonah wanted nothing to do with them—changes the way we read the entire story.
At the heart of our day will be a question that is uncomfortable, challenging and surprisingly relevant:
What happens when God’s “we” isn’t our “we”? What do we do when God extends mercy to people we aren't sure deserve it? What happens when the people God is pursuing aren't the people we would choose? And, perhaps most uncomfortably, what if Jonah's struggle with God isn't so different from our own?
This won't be a day of sitting quietly while someone talks at you for four and a half hours. We'll learn, discuss, dig, journal, worship, laugh, ask questions and give ourselves some space to let Scripture sink in.
What to expect
📖 Deep Bible Study
We'll move slowly through the book of Jonah, learning not just what the text says, but how to ask better questions of Scripture.
🏺 Context & Culture
We'll step into the ancient world of Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire so we can understand the story as its original audience would have encountered it.
🔎 Word Study
We'll look at Hebrew words and phrases that can open up the text in ways our English translations sometimes can't.
💬 Conversation
There will be opportunities to discuss what we're discovering and wrestle with some of the bigger questions together.
✍️Bible Journaling
We'll have time to step away from the teaching, get creative and respond personally to what we've learned. You don't have to be an artist. Trust me. This is Bible journaling, not an audition for the Louvre.
🎶 Praise and Worship
We'll begin our day with praise and worship with Katie Driskill.
And yes, there will be good food. Because I believe every serious Bible study should involve snacks. There will be breakfast treats to get us started and lunch to enjoy together.
You don't have to be a Bible expert.
In fact, I'd love to have you if you've ever thought:
“I love the Bible, but I don't always know how to study it.”
“The Old Testament feels intimidating.”
“I read the story of Jonah, but I feel like I'm missing something.”
“I'd love to understand the Bible in its historical and cultural context.”
That's exactly why we're doing this.
Come with your Bible. Come with your questions. Come curious. We'll take it from there.
When God’s “We” Is Bigger Than Ours
Because sometimes the people God includes aren't the people we would have included.
And sometimes, when we're brave enough to look closely at Scripture, we discover that the person who needs to change isn't the person we expected.
Save your seat for September 19.