After finishing week one of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, there are many thoughts that we are left with and a few challenges to propel us forward. In day one, she points out that there is a great difference between an interruption and a Divine Intervention. When we view something as unimportant, or at the very least, less important than what we are doing, it will be an interruption. When we see the importance of the task and the person, it is a Divine Intervention. Too often we either ignore them or outright run from them. But why run? When we are uncomfortable, we run. When His plans do not suit us, we run. When we want something different, we run. When we are afraid, we run. But we are running from God’s awesome presence and power. This changes the perspective doesn’t it? We are no longer running from something we don’t want to do, but we are running from the power of God. We do it because as humans, we tend to forget that God can do anything, and we do not need to look at things from our standpoint. When God is the one in charge, it will get done.

Shirer goes on to point out that we should not dread a Divine Intervention, but look forward to it! When we have the opportunity to participate with God it is a privilege, and we need to remember that! The God who can do everything, and needs no one, chooses to invite us to be part of something that is so much bigger than us. He wants to work in and through us. Not to pump us up, but to glorify Himself. Our true significance in life begins with a Divine Intervention, but all glory goes to God. We just need to submit ourselves to His will, and mean it. The big question with this involves how we define ourselves. Do we see ourselves as servants of the Lord or are we serving ourselves? We do not own our lives, they belong to God. He simply asks us to manage it. That means listening to and obeying His directions.

Our lives need to point to the living God. It is the greatest testimony we can give, and it may be the only one some see. Divine Interventions matter for eternal significance, not worldly significance. God’s plans may not make sense to us, as they certainly did not make sense to Jonah asked he as being told to witness to his enemies. Making sense of things and having a plan is not required to do great and mighty things. All He wants is for you to submit, and allow Him to work miracles in, through, and around you. We need to ask ourselves, when it comes down to it, are we willing to submit to God’s plan and direction no matter what or will we try to run like Jonah did?

I pray that as we dig into this study, we will confidently submit our lives and surrender our wills in order to do what God has planned for us. There will be no greater joy than walking in God’s plan for our lives and living in His protection. Priscilla asked “How many things are hinging on one woman surrendering to God’s Will? How many things are hinging on you surrendering?” That has stuck with  me, and I pray it will with you as well.

Prayer Requests

Pray that the study of Jonah will profoundly affect your life. We welcome any prayer needs from the group and ask that you will print a copy of the prayers, place them, in your workbook and pray for these women. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Jonah was the only prophet who ever ran from God.
• It is an esteemed opportunity to participate in Kingdom purposes.
• Make sure your life writes a story worth reading.
• Your story starts with God.

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB **click on the scripture reference to translate to another bible version

Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love. Psalm 145:17 Message

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving, That which I have vowed I will pay; Salvation is from the LORD.” Jonah 2:9

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. Luke 11:28

For Next Week

• Read Week Two, pages 35-53  in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Two Audio (optional)
• OR…Listen to the Session Two Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Briefly share your resume from page 19 and your story of divine intervention from page 22.
2. On page 15 of the workbook, you’ll notice the word “Divine” looks similar to the word DIVE. Since we’re studying a fish story about Jonah, what does it mean for you to DIVE?
3. On page 20 you selected two characters of divine intervention. Which two characters did you select and why?
4. Did you write your own declaration of dependence at the bottom of page 22? If so, please share yours with the group.
5. Share one of your navigation tools from the bottom of page 31.

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon

We begin our Jonah bible study today, a six week journey into four chapters of scripture. To participate in the study, you’ll need the workbook called Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. If you are waiting for your workbook to arrive, be sure to download Chapter One so you can start reading with us. We have about 60 women participating in this online bible study.

When someone asks you “How has your life been interrupted lately?” we experience the same initial response. You may roll your eyes, let out that deep sigh, sit back in your cafe chair and prepare to tell a story of difficulty. We all have a season in life or an event that was unplanned and seemed to move us into a different direction.

What if God called you specifically by name, told you to change course, change your life purpose and change your plan? We’re about to discover more of ourselves as we read the life of Jonah,” the only prophet who received instructions from God and ran from what God told him to do.” (page 6, Priscilla Shirer)

This study begins with Session One in your workbook. Audio/video sessions are available from Lifeway and will enhance your study. Currently they are $3.99 for each audio session, or $4.99 for each video session, about the price of a gourmet coffee drink or a movie rental. However, these last longer so you’ll get more for your money! I’ve listened to the Session One audio and highly recommend it, because it offers a good insight into the content and purpose of the study.

Getting Started

1. Before you start your study, we recommend you write a letter to God on the inside cover of the workbook, and date it. Tell Him why you are reading Jonah and what you hope to learn from the study. Ask Him to keep you centered and focused on the Word.
2. If you have not done so already, download the Answers to the Viewer Guide.
3. There are five lessons each week. The lessons require about 30-45 minutes of time each day and we recommend you complete them first thing in the morning. When you read the Bible before your day begins, you are lighting the candle of His word inside you, carrying that candle throughout the day, and seeing examples of the Word as your day progresses.
4. If you have any questions about the online format, please read the FAQ’s for the Bible Cafe.
5. Please pray for the Spirit to guide you in study and to keep you on track with the lessons. Pray for the other women in this study and for the leaders. We have a prayer wall to post individual prayers.

Group Discussion

1. Priscilla says in audio session one, “Interruption is something in your life that takes you off guard, its not necessarily tragic, it can be a good thing. It’s just shocking when it happens and you’re trying to navigate life off a charted course.” How has your life been interrupted lately?

This new bible study by Priscilla Shirer is just too tempting to pass up….so we’ll be reading Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted during the next few weeks. Some of you are completing the Ruth study, others are waiting for the New Beth Moore Study, and a few have expressed interest in this study of Jonah.

This is a 6-week study, so one week of study and will be followed by a Beth Moore study. This study of Jonah begins on August 3, 2010 so order your workbooks now if you’d like to participate. We’ll post updates once a week for the study. You can purchase optional audio or video segments from the Lifeway.com

Jonah Bible Study Resources

Jonah Member’s Workbook

Jonah Week One Sample Chapter

Jonah Viewer Guide with Answers

Getting Started

Before we begin, you’ll need to:

1. Subscribe to this blog by email, so you’ll receive updates for the study.
2. Order your workbook: Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. Allow 7-10 days for shipping.
3. Print the first chapter of the workbook (if you are waiting to begin) and the Viewer Guide answers.
4. Post an introduction below, telling us where you are located (city/state) and your blog or Twitter link.
5. Just for fun, please tell us about your navigation skills, a map story, or a fishing story! Think water-fish-boat