24 - Jonah and the Whale

 

Introduction:

Who likes to play hide and seek? How do you play it? Even if we hide very well, there’s someone who can still always see us. Who is the One who can always see us no matter where we are? Learn that we can never hide from God. God will always protect us.

Lesson Outline:

A long time ago, there was a man named Jonah. God told Jonah to go to a city called Nineveh to teach the people there about God and help them be better. Jonah did not want to obey God, because he did not like the people there that much, so he tried to hide by going on a boat that was going somewhere else far away. Do you think we can hide from God? No! God always sees where we are. A big storm happened when Jonah was on the boat, while he was sleeping. The sailors woke him up and told him to pray to his God for help. Jonah said: “God made this storm happen because I did not do what He told me. The storm will not stop until I am thrown into the sea.” They did what Jonah said and threw him into the sea. Right away, the wind stopped, the waves calmed down, and the storm was over. Jonah went down in the deep water. God sent a big fish (whale) to help Jonah and keep him safe. The fish opened its mouth big and swallowed Jonah, so Jonah can be safe. Jonah stayed inside the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. He was praying and praying asking God to get him out. He said to God that he will obey Him. God heard Jonah’s prayers and made the fish throw Jonah out of its mouth again. Jonah ended up on the sand. He got up and obeyed God and started to walk towards Nineveh, just like God wanted him to do. Jonah knew how much God loved him, protected him, and forgave him. Jonah taught people about God and how they should love, care, and forgive each other.

God is everywhere and always sees us. We should always do what God wants, because He knows what is good for us. Even when Jonah did not obey, God kept him safe in the fish’s belly and his prayers were answered.

 

Memory Verse:

“Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” Jonah 1:17 

Song: Where is Jonah (Sung to the tune of "Are you sleeping")

 

Where is Jonah? Where is Jonah?  In a boat, in a boat. 

What is Jonah doing? What is Jonah doing? Hiding from God, hiding from God.

 

Where is Jonah? Where is Jonah?  In a fish, in a fish. 

What is Jonah doing, what is Jonah doing? Praying to God, praying to God.

 

Where is Jonah? Where is Jonah?  On a hill, on a hill 

What is Jonah doing? What is Jonah doing?  Learning to love, learning to love.

 

Where is Jonah? Where is Jonah? Nineveh, Nineveh. 

What is Jonah doing? What is Jonah doing? Sharing God's love, sharing God's love.