Lesson 2: Jonah and the fish.
Passage: Jonah 1-3 - The prophet Jonah is called by God to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people to turn away from their wrongdoings. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs away and boards a ship, but God sends a storm. Jonah knows that the storm was because of him and he tells the sailors to throw him overboard to calm the sea. He is then swallowed by a giant fish, and after three days, the fish spits Jonah out and God gives him the command once more. This time, Jonah obeys and delivers God’s message to Nineveh and the people repent.
Big Idea: God always gives us second chances.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Bug in a Rug — Activity Leader
All the kids will close their eyes. One child is hidden under a rug/blanket and the others gather around and their goal is to try to guess who is under the rug. It would be helpful for all the kids to say their names before the game starts.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are going to be learning about one of God’s special messengers, who are also called prophets. Whenever God had an important message for the people, God would tell the prophet, and the Prophet would tell everyone else! Today’s prophet is named Jonah.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What did Jonah do when God sent him to the city of Nineveh with a message?
Why do you think Jonah ran away? Maybe he was nervous or scared?
How did God give Jonah a second chance?
Have you ever had to ask for a second chance before? What happened?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about Jonah, and how you always give us second chances. Even when we make mistakes, you always forgive us and let us try again. Please help us to forgive others too when they make mistakes or hurt our feelings. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Activity: Jonah and the whale printable — Activity Leader
Kids will be given a printable picture based on the Bible story which they can colour.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read the Jonah story from Little Storybook Bible or Book of Belonging.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our new series on the prophets.
Can anyone remember what a prophet is? (a messenger of God)
Last time we learned about the prophet Isaiah, who was nervous at first but later said, “Here I am, God, send me!”
Today we’re going to be learning about another prophet named Jonah.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jonah ran away when God told him to go to Nineveh with a message?
What happened after he ran away? How do you think he felt about being swallowed by a big fish?
What did Jonah do after God gave him a second chance?
Can you think of a time when you got a second chance to do the right thing?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about Jonah, and how you always give us second chances, even when we make mistakes or don’t do the right thing like Jonah. Thank you that your forgiveness never ends and that we can learn to forgive others too. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Activity: Jonah and the whale craft — Activity Leader
Kids will each be given a whale cutout which they will then cut in half, gluing each side to a clothespin that will open the mouth. They will then cut out a Jonah character and glue him inside the whale. They can colour and decorate the whale and Jonah before gluing it all together.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: MadLibs — Activity Leader
Kids will play an ocean/Jonah related game of MadLibs.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our new series on the prophets of the Old Testament.
Can anyone remember what a prophet is and what they do?
Who was the prophet we talked about last time? (Isaiah - who was willing to be sent by God even though he was afraid at first)
Today we’re going to be learning about the story of a prophet who was not quite as excited to deliver God’s message.
Read:
Jonah 1:1-4, 11-12, 17
Jonah 2:10
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why do you think Jonah ran away from God at the beginning of the story?
Has there ever been a time when you tried to avoid doing something that you were supposed to do? What happened then?
What do you think Jonah’s story teaches us about what God is like?
What can we do when we feel like we made the wrong choice like Jonah?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about the prophet Jonah and how even though he didn’t listen to God at first, God still gave him a second chance to make it right. Thank you that you are always willing to forgive and give us second chances too, no matter what we’ve done. Please help us to also be forgiving of others just like you are to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Jonah and the whale craft— Activity Leader
Kids will each be given a whale cutout which they will then cut in half, gluing each side to a clothespin that will open the mouth. They will then cut out a Jonah character and glue him inside the whale. They can colour and decorate the whale and Jonah before gluing it all together.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
What happened when Jonah ran away from God?
How did God help Jonah when he was inside the big fish?
What did Jonah do when he got a second chance from God?
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh at first?
How do you think he felt when God gave him a second chance?
Can you think of a time when you got to try again when you made a mistake?
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think Jonah learned when he was inside the big fish?
Why do you think it’s sometimes hard to do what God asks us to do?
What do you think the story teaches us about God’s mercy — for Jonah and for the people of Nineveh?
Have you ever had to ask for a second chance or give one to someone else? What was that like?
