What is CBI?

Community Bible Institute is a Christian studies school designed “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)

To learn more about How CBI works, get a copy of the CBI Handbook at the CBI desk in the church lobby, at the CBI desk in the TaraCenter lobby, or by requesting one by email at .

Home Study courses for CBI may be obtained in a hard copy format or may be requested by and delivered as an email attachment.

Visit Community Bible Institute on the internet

Also – check out the CBI Handbook located on the inside and outside back cover of this booklet.

Introducing Jonah, Joel & Amos

In “The Great Stone Face” Nathaniel Hawthorne told the story of a rock formation on the side of a mountain that resembled a human face. Legend had it that a truly great man resembling the great stone face would someday come to the nearby town. One boy made it his life's goal to study the face and search for its resemblance in others. Over the years he spent countless hours gazing with wonder at that awesome face. As the boy matured into manhood, and as life's influence molded him, those around him were amazed to see what he had become—the great stone face!

A wise professor once said, “What gets your attention, gets you.” This is especially true in the books of Jonah, Joel and Amos. In each book God takes drastic measures to get people's attention. He does so not because he delights in calamity but because he desires our fellowship. No matter who we are—prophet, pagan, or God's own people, he will do whatever is necessary to draw us to himself.

Jonah

Jonah prophesied in the eighth century b.c., during or shortly before the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 b.c.). God called him to preach to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, which was the most powerful nation on earth. The more we know about Assyria, the more we understand why Jonah was reluctant to preach there. The Assyrians were a fierce, warring people who often treated their captors ruthlessly. Jonah had good reason to be afraid!

But fear was not the only thing that made Jonah reluctant. His attitude reflects the racial prejudice common in his day. The “chosen people” could not imagine that God could care about other nations—especially one as vile and idolatrous as Assyria. So the book of Jonah becomes a powerful illustration of the fact that God does not want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9).

The story of Jonah has been the subject of much controversy. Many people reject its historicity, preferring to view it as an allegory or parable. However, two things should be noted about this view.

First, few people questioned the historicity of Jonah until the nineteenth century, when liberal scholars launched an attack not only on this book but on every book in the Bible. They objected to its historicity primarily because of the incident of Jonah being swallowed by a fish. However, even from a natural standpoint this incident is quite possible. In his Introduction to the Old Testament, R. K. Harrison points out that there are other reliable records of people being swallowed by large fish and surviving. [Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1969), pp. 907–8.]

Second, Jesus himself viewed the story of Jonah as history (Mt 12:38–41; Lk 11:29–30, 32), comparing it to the greater miracle of his resurrection. Surely those who believe in the latter should have no difficulty believing in the former.

Joel

We know little about the man Joel, other than the fact that his message was geared toward Judah, and he was probably a resident of Jerusalem. The date of his writing is disputed among scholars. While some say Joel prophesied as late as 400 b.c., many believe he was a contemporary of Jonah and Amos.

Joel's prophecy came in the wake of a devastating locust plague. Joel saw this plague as a sign of God's judgment and warned that unless the people returned to the Lord they would face even greater judgment on the day of the Lord. But to those willing to “rend their hearts” he promised great blessings that would more than repay “the years the locusts have eaten” (2:25).

Amos

Although Amos was a farmer from Judah, he prophesied to Israel, the northern kingdom, around 760 b.c. During this period the nation was secure and the upper classes prospered. Archaeological discoveries at Megiddo and Samaria have uncovered carved ivory inlays that were used in the furniture and decorative paneling in the homes of the wealthy. But instead of using their wealth to serve the needy, the upper classes were deaf to their cries. In fact, the wealthy maintained their lifestyle by oppressing the poor.

Although the Israelites continued to worship God, their worship was cold and self-serving. Jeroboam had built temples in Bethel and Dan so the people would worship in the north rather than traveling to Jerusalem. But God viewed this worship as idolatrous and declared, “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them” (Amos 5:21–22).

God's judgment came against Israel in the form of famine, drought and plagues. But because the people failed to return to the Lord, Amos prophesied that all but a remnant would be destroyed. Still the Lord pleaded with Israel, “Seek good, not evil, that you may live!” (Amos 5:14).

The books of Jonah, Joel and Amos have a powerful message today. We sometimes run from God's will and need to be brought back. At other times we wander from God's ways and need to return to him. And we often seek the wrong things, forgetting the One who is the only source of true life. These prophets challenge us to forsake anything and everything that hinders our relationship with God. Together they proclaim, “Seek the Lord and live!”

1

Jonah's Disobedience

Jonah 1:1–17

Purpose: To discover that disobedience can be even more costly than obedience.

“Don't hit your sister!”

Sometimes it takes all the will power we have to obey. Yet how easy it is to do wrong in the first place. We get mad and we react.

That's what it feels like with God sometimes too. He asks us to do things we don't want to do—things that are difficult, uncomfortable or even painful. So politely but firmly we refuse his command and try to put it out of our minds. Yet as Jonah discovered, our disobedience can be even more costly than our obedience.

  1. When you were a child, how was your disobedience sometimes more costly than obedience.
  1. Read Jonah 1. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a nation that was a fierce and powerful enemy of Israel to the northeast. How does Jonah respond to the Lord's command to preach there (vv. 1–3)?
  1. Tarshish, traditionally identified as Spain, was over two thousand miles in the opposite direction. While Jonah was journeying to Tarshish, what kinds of thoughts and feelings might he have experienced?

4. Have you ever wanted to run away from something you knew God wanted you to do? Explain.

  1. How did the sailors respond to the storm, and how did Jonah respond?
  1. How do you think Jonah felt when the captain urged him to call on God for help (v. 6)?
  1. Why do the sailors become even more terrified after they hear Jonah's story (vv. 7–10)?
  1. Why is it dangerous to disobey God?
  1. Jonah acknowledges his guilt in verses 11–12. Do you think he is repentant at this point? Explain.
  1. After hearing Jonah's suggestion (v. 12), what new tensions and struggles do the sailors experience (vv. 13–14)?
  1. How does God use this calamity to demonstrate his grace and mercy (vv. 15–17)?
  1. How does this chapter illustrate the futility of running from God?

2

Jonah's Prayer

Jonah 2:1–10

Purpose: To learn that even in the darkest circumstances God hears and answers our prayers.

In the movie Pinocchio a kindly woodcutter named Geppetto is swallowed by a whale named Monstro. Inside the dark, damp belly of the whale, Geppetto sits for what seems like an eternity. Then one day the whale violently coughs, and the woodcutter is expelled from his watery grave.

Sound familiar? Every Sunday-school child would recognize this retelling of the story of Jonah. But unlike the Disney movie, Jonah's incredible adventure is not fantasy but fact.

  1. What childhood memories do you have of the story of Jonah and the “whale”?
  1. Read Jonah 2. Describe the terrible sequence of events after Jonah was thrown overboard (vv. 3, 5, 6a).
  1. What initial thoughts and feelings did Jonah have (vv. 3–6)?
  1. Describe a situation in which you felt like you were in a deep, dark pit (v. 6), either physically, emotionally or spiritually.
  1. What was Jonah's condition when he finally remembered to pray (vv. 1–7)?
  1. Why do you think we sometimes have to sink so low before we remember God?
  1. How did these terrifying events affect Jonah's attitude toward God?
  1. Why do you think God answered Jonah's prayer (vv. 2, 6, 9–10)?
  1. Why can we be confident God will hear our prayers, even if we are suffering the

consequences of disobedience?

  1. If you were Jonah and had spent three days and nights inside the great fish, how would you feel when you found yourself back on dry land (v. 10)?
  1. Describe a difficult situation from which the Lord delivered you.
  1. Take time now to thank God for his discipline and his grace. Quietly reaffirm your commitment to obey him.

3

Jonah's Obedience

Jonah 3:1–10

Purpose: To learn about genuine repentance from both Jonah and the Ninevites.

Great revivals have occurred throughout history—among the Jews in the first century, the tribes of Ireland in the fifth century, the Protestants in the sixteenth century and the people of Wales in the twentieth century. Yet one of the greatest revivals of all time occurred hundreds of years before any of these—the amazing revival in Nineveh described in Jonah 3.

1. If a genuine turning to God were to occur in this country, what results would you expect to see?

  1. Read Jonah 3. If you were Jonah, how would you feel when the word of the Lord came to you a second time (vv. 1–2)?

3. Assyria was one of the most powerful nations on earth, known especially for its military might and brutality. How would this make it difficult for Jonah to proclaim: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (vv. 3–4).

  1. Describe a situation in which you found it difficult to share the gospel with an unbeliever.

Why was it difficult?

  1. What evidence is there that the Ninevites were sincere in their repentance (vv. 5–9)?
  1. How and why does the Lord respond to the Ninevites (v. 10)?
  1. What view of God do the Ninevites express in this chapter?

How does their view of God compare with Jonah's view expressed in chapter 2?

  1. How does our view of God affect our willingness to turn away from our sins and turn toward God?
  1. Describe one area in you life where you feel a need for repentance.
  1. What actions can you take to demonstrate the sincerity of your repentance?

4

Jonah's Anger

Jonah 4:1–11

Purpose: To realize that we are sometimes more concerned about petty things than about people under God's judgment.

Life is full of minor joys and irritations. Finding a parking place in rush hour can make us very happy. Finding a flat tire when we return can make us miserable. In chapter 4 we discover that Jonah also cared a great deal about life's little ups and downs. Although his petty passions seem amusing, they also invite us to reexamine what we really care about.

  1. What little things irritate you or bring you joy?
  1. Read Jonah 4. Why was Jonah greatly displeased and angry (vv. 1–3)?
  1. Did these things give him any right to be angry (v. 4)? Explain.
  1. Evidently the forty days had already passed (3:10). Why then do you think Jonah still waited to see what would happen to the city (v. 5)?
  1. How does the Lord use the vine as an object lesson for Jonah (vv. 6–11)?
  1. In what ways are we sometimes more concerned about petty things than about those under God's judgment?
  1. What can we do to begin seeing things more from God's perspective?
  1. How would you summarize the primary message of the book of Jonah?
  1. In your life, how have you seen God demonstrate the qualities Jonah mentions in 4:2?

10. How does God's treatment of you motivate you to reach out to those who don't know him?

5

The Locust Invasion

Joel 1:1–20

Purpose: To realize that true repentance requires action.

A crisis can capture anyone's attention. But our response to a crisis can vary greatly from person to person. Some become bitter and hardened. Others quietly endure but learn nothing from the experience. A few, however, find their lives are purified, deepened and strengthened.

In Joel 1 a major crisis has occurred—a swarm of locusts has invaded the land, with devastating results. In the aftermath of the devastation, Joel appears with a word from the Lord. His word still has the power to purify those who hear it.

  1. What is the most traumatic event you have seen during your lifetime? Explain.
  1. Read Joel 1. Describe the devastation left by the locust plague.

3. How will the plague affect the drunkards (v. 5), the priests (vv. 9, 13) and the farmers (v. 11)?

Why do you think these groups are singled out?

  1. “Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?” (v. 2). Why do you think Joel asks the elders this question?
  1. In what ways does God discipline his people today, either individually or corporately?
  1. What is the difference between God's discipline and the problems anyone may have?

7. Joel commands the elders to tell their children and grandchildren about the dramatic locust invasion (v. 3). Why is this necessary?

  1. Joel compares the people of Judah to a virgin mourning for her husband (v. 8). What does this metaphor say about the depth of relationship between God and his people?
  1. No greater calamity could befall Judah than the cessation of daily sacrifice (vv. 9, 13), for that was the sign of God's covenant relationship. What was God's purpose in doing this?
  1. In verses 13–14 Joel calls the people to repent. How are they to demonstrate their repentance?
  1. Why is each of these commands important?
  1. In what meaningful ways can we express our repentance today, both individually and corporately?

6

Return to the Lord!

Joel 2:1–27

Purpose: To realize that true repentance is a matter of the heart and results in blessing.

In order to get to the roses, we must first go through the thorns. The teaching of Joel in the first two chapters is hard. But roses—in the form of the promises of God—lie ahead. Because he loves us, the Father disciplines us when we wander from him. The warnings we see here are God's last resort to bring his people to true repentance—a heart relationship rather than one of empty ritual. As we read this chapter, we too must face questions of the heart.

  1. How do we sometimes serve God outwardly rather than from the heart?

2. Read Joel 2:1–17. Why does Joel urge the people to blow the trumpet and sound the alarm (v. 1)?

  1. Do you think Joel is describing a literal locust invasion in chapter 2 or an army invasion which simply resembles a swarm of locusts? Explain.
  1. Joel compares the invasion to “the day of the Lord” (1:15; 2:1–2, 11). What can we learn about that day from these verses?
  1. How can the day of the Lord be a warning against spiritual complacency?
  1. “Even now,” what hope does the Lord offer his people, and why (vv. 12–14)?

What does it mean to return to the Lord with all our heart (v. 12)?

  1. Again Joel calls for a “holy fast… a sacred assembly” (v. 15). What is significant about the people he singles out in verses 16–17?
  1. How do verses 12–17 help us understand the meaning of repentance?
  1. In what ways would you like to renew your commitment to the Lord?

10. Read Joel 2:18–27. If his people repent, what promises does the Lord make them (vv. 18–27)?

  1. How would these promises repay them for “the years the locusts have eaten” (v. 25)?
  1. How have you experienced God's healing through the act of repentance?

13. Take time to “praise the name of the Lord your God” for the wonders he has worked for you (v. 26).