Children’s Bible lesson on Jonah
Memory Verse (3 minutes):
-
The memory verse for this lesson is Jonah 3:10: “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (NIV)
- Repeat the verse together several times and encourage the children to memorize it.
Introduction (5 minutes)
Warm-up game (2 minutes): Play a game of “Jesus Says” but instead of using directions like “touch your nose” or “jump up and down,” use actions related to the story of Jonah, such as “pretend to sail a boat” or “pretend to be asleep in the bottom of a boat.”
Introduce the story (3 minutes): Show the children a picture of Jonah and tell them that today’s story is about a prophet named Jonah. Explain that a prophet is someone who hears from God and tells people what God wants them to know.
Main Lesson (10 minutes)
G – God’s Love:
- Tell the children that God loved the people in the city of Nineveh, even though they didn’t follow him.
- Application: Explain that God loves everyone, even when they make mistakes. We can show God’s love to others by being kind and forgiving.
O – Only Sinless Son of God:
- Explain that Jonah was not perfect and disobeyed God.
- Application: We all make mistakes, but Jesus was the only sinless person.
P – Precious Blood of Christ:
- This point is not applicable to the story of Jonah and can be omitted.
E – Ever Living Risen Saviour:
- This point is not applicable to the story of Jonah and can be omitted.
L – Let Him In:
- Tell the children that Jonah eventually listened to God and went to Nineveh to tell the people about him.
- Application: We can always choose to listen to God and follow his plan for our lives.
Storytelling (5 minutes):
- Tell the story of Jonah in a captivating way, using different voices for the characters and acting out some of the scenes.
- You can use a children’s Bible, a picture book, or a puppet show to help tell the story.
Children’s Bible lesson on Jonah: Conclusion (5 minutes)
Review the main points of the story (2 minutes): Remind the children of the key lessons from the story, such as God’s love for everyone, the importance of listening to God, and the power of repentance.
Application activity (3 minutes): Have the children draw a picture of themselves doing something kind for someone else. This will help them to apply the lesson of God’s love to their own lives.
Wrap-up (30 seconds): End the lesson by praying with the children and thanking God for his love and forgiveness.
Theme of the story and additional notes
While several themes are woven into the story of Jonah, the overarching theme is God’s unconditional love and mercy, extending even to those who initially reject Him.
Here are some key aspects that support this theme:
- God’s love for Nineveh: Despite being a city known for its wickedness, God loves the people there and desires their repentance. He sends Jonah to Nineveh not to punish them immediately, but to offer them a chance to change their ways.
- Jonah’s disobedience: Jonah initially disobeys God’s command to go to Nineveh, highlighting the human tendency to resist God’s will, especially when it goes against personal preferences.
- God’s pursuit of Jonah: Despite Jonah’s disobedience, God doesn’t abandon him. He uses the storm, the whale, and the plant to bring Jonah back to himself and fulfill his mission.
- Nineveh’s repentance: When Jonah finally delivers the message, the people of Nineveh repent, demonstrating the power of God’s mercy and the possibility of change even for the most sinful.
- Jonah’s struggle: The story portrays the internal conflict within Jonah as he grapples with God’s love for all people, including those he may not consider deserving.
Ultimately, the story highlights the vastness of God’s love, extending beyond personal preferences and cultural boundaries. It challenges readers to reflect on their own biases and embrace God’s message of love and forgiveness for all.
- Feel free to adjust the length of each section of the lesson to fit your time constraints.
- You can also add additional activities or songs to the lesson to make it more engaging for the children.
- Be sure to keep the language simple and age-appropriate for your audience.
