Lesson kit: Jonah and the Big Fish

Lesson aim

We can’t run away from God; and he gives a new chance to those who are sorry.

Key verse

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah: 'Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh.'” Jonah 1:1-2

Lesson plan

1. 1

   Welcome · 5 minutes

   Greet the children, sing a song they know and say a short prayer.

2. 2

   The story · 10 minutes

   Tell the story with the illustrations on the big screen or by reading it aloud, page by page.

   Open on the big screen →
3. 3

   Talk · 10 minutes

   Ask the questions below and let the children answer in their own words.

4. 4

   Quiz · 5 minutes

   Do the quiz together, out loud, in teams or on the screen.

   Open the quiz →
5. 5

   Activity · 10 minutes

   Hand out the printed sheet: each child draws their favourite scene and practises the verse.

6. 6

   Closing prayer · 2 minutes

   Close by thanking God for what you learned today. We can’t run away from God; and he gives a new chance to those who are sorry.

Discussion questions

1. Where did God send Jonah?
2. What did Jonah do inside the fish?
3. What do we learn about obeying God?

Summary for the teacher

God sent Jonah to preach in Nineveh, but he ran away on a ship going far away. A great storm began, and Jonah asked to be thrown into the sea. God sent a huge fish to swallow him, and inside it Jonah prayed and asked for forgiveness. After three days, the fish put him on the beach, and Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh.