Tag: repentance

The Book of Jonah: A Yom Kippur Study Guide

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

When & Why It Is Read

The entire Book of Jonah is read as the Haftarah portion during the Mincha (afternoon) service of Yom Kippur, right before the final Ne’ilah prayer. This precise timing catches worshippers at a peak moment of physical fatigue and spiritual vulnerability, creating a perfect backdrop for a narrative centered entirely on raw human frailty and immediate divine response.

• The Message of Teshuvah (Repentance): The core lesson of the text is that true change is always accessible and completely shifts destiny. God completely forgives the people of Nineveh the moment they alter their actions, illustrating that sincere inner transformation triggers immediate divine mercy.

• Universal Divine Compassion: Jonah struggles heavily with the reality that God’s grace extends completely beyond Israel to include foreign adversaries, underscoring that all living things are under divine care.

• The Impossibility of Fleeing: Jonah’s failed escape attempt emphasizes that no one can hide from their personal divine purpose or ethical responsibilities.

Continue reading “The Book of Jonah: A Yom Kippur Study Guide” →

Ten Days of Returning to God: A Children’s Devotional

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

The days between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur provide a meaningful opportunity for families to slow down, listen to God, and prepare their hearts together.

Yom Teruah is associated with the sound of trumpets—a call to awaken and pay attention. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, reminds us of our need for forgiveness and points us toward the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.

Ten Days of Returning to God is a simplified children’s devotional designed to help families explore these truths together. Each day includes a short Bible reading, a child-friendly lesson, a discussion question, a simple activity, and a prayer.

Throughout the ten days, children will learn what it means to:

  • Listen for God’s direction
  • Ask God to search their hearts
  • Turn away from wrong choices
  • Confess their sins honestly
  • Apologize and make things right
  • Forgive others
  • Show God’s love through kindness
  • Draw near to God through Jesus
  • Trust in Christ’s sacrifice
  • Begin again with God
Continue reading “Ten Days of Returning to God: A Children’s Devotional” →

Ten Days of Returning to God: A Devotional Journey from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Hello friends,

There are seasons when God calls us to keep moving forward, faithfully tending the work He has placed before us. There are also seasons when He calls us to become still—to examine our hearts, mend what has been broken, and return to Him.

Lately God has been calling me to share what I’ve been learning with others. I won’t pretend to be any kind of expert so I do encourage you to do your own research whenever you may have questions or doubts about things. My biggest reason for sharing is that observing the feasts have allowed me to become close to GOD, delve deeper in HIS WORD, and they allow me to remember HIS PROMISES.

The period from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur offers a beautiful opportunity for this kind of quiet reflection. This devotional can be done by anyone at any time though!

Yom Teruah, sometimes called the Feast of Trumpets, begins with the biblical image of a trumpet blast. In Scripture, the sound of a trumpet could announce a gathering, warn of danger, prepare people for action, or call God’s people to attention. It was a sound that could not easily be ignored.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, comes ten days later. It is a solemn day associated with repentance, cleansing, and restoration before God.

Together, these days form a meaningful journey: awakening, examining, returning, confessing, forgiving, and resting in God’s mercy.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8

Continue reading “Ten Days of Returning to God: A Devotional Journey from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur” →