Week 25 – Jonah and the Big Fish

Welcome
Songs
Craft
Opening prayer
Lesson
Closing Prayer

Lesson

“Jonah ran away, but God still loved him. Jesus loves us even when we disobey.”

Prayer

“Thank You, Jesus, for loving me when I make wrong choices.”

Passage

Jonah 1–3.

Welcome (5–10 minutes)

Set out:
  • Free play: toy boats, people figures (for Jonah and sailors), toy fish/whales, blue cloth for water.
  • Table: coloring page of Jonah and a big fish, plus crayons.

As kids arrive, say simple lines:
  • “Today we will hear about Jonah and a big fish.”
  • “Jonah did not want to listen to God at first.”
  • “God still loved Jonah. Jesus loves us even when we disobey.”

Opening Prayer (echo prayer)

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Songs (5–10 minutes)

Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.

Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
  • Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
  • Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
  • Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.

Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions: 
  • point to self on “me,” 
  • hug on “loves,” 
  • hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”

Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”

Repeat 2–3 times.
The B-I-B-L-E Song
Jesus Loves Me
I am a Child of God

Lesson

Sit kids in a circle. Use: small boat (or a box), “Jonah” figure, blue cloth for water, and a big fish toy or cutout.

a) Jonah runs from God
Show Jonah and the boat.
  • “The Bible tells us about a man named Jonah. God said to Jonah, ‘Go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people to stop doing bad things and listen to Me.’”
Move Jonah the other way.
  • “Jonah did not want to go. He did not want to obey God. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah got on a boat going the other way. Jonah tried to run away from what God said.”

b) The storm and the big fish
Place the boat on the blue cloth and shake it gently.
  • “When Jonah was on the boat, God sent a big storm. The wind blew and the waves crashed. The sailors were afraid. They learned that Jonah was running away from God.”
Move Jonah into the water.
  • “Jonah ended up in the water, and something amazing happened. God sent a very big fish. The big fish swallowed Jonah! Jonah was inside the big fish—dark and squishy!”
Move Jonah inside the fish.
  • “Jonah was in the big fish for three days and three nights. While he was inside, Jonah prayed to God. He told God he was sorry and that he would obey.”
Move the fish toward the edge of the “water.”
  • “Then God told the big fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land. God gave Jonah another chance.”

e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
  • “Jonah disobeyed. God still loved him. Jesus forgives me.”

Motions:
  • Turn away with your body on “disobeyed.”
  • Spread arms wide on “God still loved him.”
  • Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “Jesus forgives me.”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jonah obeys and Jesus connection
Move Jonah toward an imaginary city.

“After that, Jonah went to Nineveh and obeyed God. He told the people God’s message. God showed His love to the people and to Jonah, even when Jonah disobeyed at first.”

Place your hand on your heart.
“The Bible tells us that we also disobey God sometimes. We do not always listen or do what is right. But God still loves us. God sent Jesus to show us His love. Jesus obeyed God perfectly. Jesus died for our sins and came back to life. When we say sorry and trust Jesus, He forgives us and helps us obey.”
I Love God's Family
Scenario Inspector Tanakh

Craft – “Jonah and the Big Fish”

Goal: 
  • Simple picture with Jonah, a big fish, and the forgiveness line.

Steps
  • Give each child a fish paper.
  • Help them color the fish and the water around it blue.
  • Help them glue the Jonah figure near the fish’s mouth or inside (you can cut a flap at the mouth so Jonah goes “inside”).
  • Add the phrase at the bottom:
    • “Jonah disobeyed. God still loved him. Jesus forgives me.”
  • Children can add waves, bubbles, or a little sun above the water.

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
  • “Your picture shows Jonah and the big fish. Jonah did not obey God at first, but God still loved him. God kept Jonah safe in the fish and gave him another chance. Jesus loves us and forgives us when we disobey and say sorry. We can remember: ‘Jonah disobeyed. God still loved him. Jesus forgives me.’”

  • When finished, have children hold up their fish and say:
    • “Jonah disobeyed. God still loved him. Jesus forgives me.”
Supplies

  • Paper with a big fish outline (side view, mouth open) or blank paper.
  • Small Jonah shape (paper figure) to glue near the fish’s mouth or inside.
  • Blue crayons/markers for water.
  • Glue sticks.
  • Label/space to write: “Jonah disobeyed. God still loved him. Jesus forgives me.”

Closing Prayer (echo prayer)

Gather kids in a circle, each holding their little “Bible.”
“Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving Jonah even when he disobeyed.
Thank You for loving me when I disobey. I am sorry for my sins.
Thank You for forgiving me. Help me listen and obey You. Amen.”