Theme: Sea animals

Bible Story: Jonah and the big fish

Value: Be obedient

Jonah and the big fish

In the Bible we learn about a man named Jonah. God told Jonah to go to a big city called Nineveh. He had to tell the people of Nineveh to stop doing bad things. But Jonah didn’t want to go! Instead, he ran away and got on a boat, sailing far, far away from Nineveh.

While Jonah was on the boat, a big storm came. The men on the boat were scared! Jonah knew the storm came because he didn’t obey God. So, he told them, “If you throw me into the sea, the storm will stop.” They didn’t want to, but finally, they did.

“Splash!” Jonah fell into the sea. But guess what? Jonah didn’t drown! God sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah felt so bad that he didn’t obey God. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed and said, “I’m sorry, God! I will do what You say.”

For three days and nights, Jonah was in the fish’s belly. Then, God told the fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land. Jonah was safe! He went to Nineveh right away, just as God had asked. He told the people God’s message and they stopped doing bad things.

(Jonah 1-3)

 

  1. Opening

Have you ever seen a fish? How big was the fish that you saw? Did you know that some fish are bigger than our house or school?

In the Bible, we read about a fish that was so big that it could swallow a man! Let’s read the Bible story.

 

  1. Discovery

Can you remember the story that you heard yesterday?

Yes, we talked about how Jonah didn’t obey God and was swallowed by a big fish. Let’s read the Bible story again.

What is your favourite part of the story?

What type of fish do you think swallowed Jonah?

How many days did Jonah stay in the fish’s stomach?

 

  1. Retell

Can you tell me what happened in our story yesterday? (Ask leading questions and guide the child using the picture and story.)

What did God ask Jonah to do?

What happened when Jonah didn’t listen to God?

Have you ever not listened to your parents or teacher?

What happened then?

 

  1. Value

This week we’ve been talking about how Jonah learned that it’s always best to obey God, even when it’s hard. It’s important to listen when God and our parents or teachers ask us to do something. When we are obedient, we show them that we love and respect them.

What will you do when your parents or teacher ask you to do something?

 

  1. Activity

In our Bible story this week we learned that it’s always best to obey God. Now, let’s make our own big fish, like the one that swallowed Jonah!

(Give each child a paper plate and crayons or markers. Let them colour the plate to look like a big fish. They can draw eyes and scales, and cut out a big smiley mouth.)