Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Jonah and the Big Fish - Jonah 1-4

Jonah and the Big Fish (Jonah 1-4)

LESSON OVERVIEW

The story of Jonah teaches children powerful truths about obedience, repentance, prayer, and God’s mercy. Through Jonah’s journey, students learn that God is patient and loving, even when His people struggle to obey. This lesson helps children understand that God cares about everyone and desires hearts that listen, repent, and respond to Him.

Jonah’s story is especially meaningful for children because it shows real emotions such as fear, anger, and joy. It reassures them that God does not give up on us when we make mistakes, and that obedience and prayer lead us back to Him.

BIBLE PASSAGE

Jonah chapters 1–4

MEMORY VERSE

“Salvation comes from the Lord.”
Jonah 2:9

Encourage children to repeat the verse with hand motions or rhythm to help with memorization.

COMPLETE LESSON NARRATIVE

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the people to turn away from their sinful ways. Instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship, hoping to escape God’s command. God sent a strong storm, and Jonah realized his disobedience put everyone in danger. When Jonah was thrown into the sea, the storm stopped.

God then sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God, admitted his wrong choice, and asked for forgiveness. God heard Jonah’s prayer and gave him another chance by bringing him safely to dry land.

Jonah obeyed God and went to Nineveh. The people listened, repented, and turned away from their sins. God showed mercy and forgave them. Jonah struggled to understand God’s compassion, but God taught him an important lesson using a plant and the hot sun. Through this, Jonah learned that God loves all people and wants everyone to turn to Him.

KEY LESSONS TO LEARN

1. OBEDIENCE MATTERS

God wants us to obey Him, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable. Jonah learned that running away from God leads to trouble, but obedience leads to peace and restoration.

2. PRAYER BRINGS US BACK TO GOD

Jonah prayed from inside the fish, and God listened. Children learn that prayer is powerful and that God hears us when we honestly talk to Him and say sorry.

3. GOD’S MERCY IS FOR EVERYONE

God forgave the people of Nineveh and showed Jonah that His love is not limited. This helps children learn to show kindness, patience, and forgiveness to others.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why did Jonah run away from God?
What happened when Jonah prayed inside the fish?
How did God show mercy to the people of Nineveh?
How can we obey God in our daily lives?

SUGGESTED ARTS AND CRAFTS

Paper Plate Whale: Create a whale with Jonah inside to retell the story.
Prayer Journal Page: Children decorate a page where they can write or draw prayers.
Plant and Shade Drawing: Illustrate the plant God used to teach Jonah about mercy.

SUGGESTED GAMES

Run or Obey: Children act out choices and decide whether they lead to obedience or disobedience.
Memory Verse Relay: Teams race to assemble the memory verse in order.
Fish Toss: Toss soft balls into a box shaped like a whale’s mouth.

SUGGESTED SUNDAY SCHOOL SONGS

Trust and Obey
God Is So Good
This Little Light of Mine

TEACHER TIPS

Keep explanations simple and age-appropriate.
Emphasize God’s love more than Jonah’s mistake.
Use repetition to help children remember key lessons.
Encourage children to share real-life examples of obedience and prayer.

CLOSING ENCOURAGEMENT

The story of Jonah reminds children that God is loving, patient, and merciful. Even when we fail, God offers forgiveness and a new beginning. By teaching Jonah 1–4, educators help children grow in faith, obedience, and compassion, learning to trust God and reflect His mercy to others.

Elijah and the Still Small Voice

Bible passage: 1 Kings 19:9–18

Lesson overview:
This lesson helps children understand that God listens to their feelings, speaks in calm ways, and always has a purpose for them. It is ideal for early elementary to pre-teen students.

Memory verse:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

The Story

Elijah was a faithful prophet who loved and obeyed God, but after facing many hard challenges, he became very tired and afraid. He ran far away and hid inside a quiet cave, believing that he was all alone. But God met Elijah there, not with loud wind, earthquakes, or fire, but with a gentle and loving whisper. In that quiet moment, God reminded Elijah that he was deeply loved, never truly alone, and still chosen for an important purpose. This story teaches children that when life feels noisy or scary, God often speaks to our hearts when we slow down, become still, and listen carefully.

Lessons to learn:

God cares about how we feel and invites us to talk to Him.
God often speaks quietly, so we must listen with our hearts.
God always has a plan for us, even when we feel weak or afraid.

Suggested arts and crafts:

Whisper art: children draw a calm scene and write the memory verse
Cave craft using paper bags or cardboard
Listening ears craft to remind kids to listen to God

Suggested games:

Silent listening game where kids identify soft sounds
Follow the whisper game using gentle voice directions
Bible verse freeze game with Psalm 46:10

Suggested Sunday School songs:

Be Still and Know
I Am Listening, Lord
Whisper a Prayer

God Protects Us on Our Journey

MEMORY VERSE

“The gracious hand of our God was on us.” – Ezra 8:18

LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson teaches children that God faithfully protects His people when they choose to pray, trust, and obey Him. Through the story of Ezra and the long journey back to Jerusalem, children will learn that God is stronger than any danger and more reliable than human strength. Even when the road looks scary or uncertain, God’s hand is always guiding and guarding those who depend on Him.

COMPLETE NARRATIVE FOR TEACHING

Ezra was a leader who deeply loved God and wanted to honor Him in everything he did. One day, Ezra gathered the people of Israel near a river because they were about to travel back to Jerusalem. This journey was very important because they were returning to rebuild and serve God in His holy city. However, the road ahead was long, difficult, and filled with possible dangers like thieves and enemies.

Before starting the journey, Ezra carefully looked at the people who were gathered. He noticed something very important. There were no Levites, the helpers God had chosen to serve in the temple. Instead of ignoring the problem or rushing forward, Ezra did the right thing. He prayed and asked God for help. Ezra trusted that God knew exactly what they needed.

God answered Ezra’s prayer by sending faithful Levites to join them. This showed the people that God listens when His children pray. After that, Ezra called everyone to fast and pray together. They humbled themselves before God and asked Him to protect their families, their children, and the valuable treasures they were carrying for the temple.

Ezra made a brave choice. He decided not to ask the king for soldiers to protect them because he wanted to show that God Himself was their protector. This required strong faith. Ezra trusted that God’s power was greater than any army.

As they traveled, God protected them every step of the way. No one was hurt. Nothing was lost. When they finally arrived safely in Jerusalem, the people praised God with thankful hearts. They counted everything they brought, and nothing was missing. The journey ended with worship because God had proven once again that His gracious hand was upon them.

THREE LESSONS TO LEARN

God listens when we pray sincerely.
Ezra did not try to solve problems on his own. He prayed first and trusted God to provide what was needed. Children can learn that God hears their prayers and cares about their concerns, big or small.

Trusting God brings peace and protection.
Even though the journey was dangerous, Ezra trusted God instead of relying on soldiers. When we trust God, our hearts can be calm because we know He is watching over us.

Obedience shows our love for God.
Ezra followed God’s instructions carefully, and the people obeyed as well. Obeying God is one way we show Him that we love and trust Him.

SUGGESTED ARTS AND CRAFTS

Paper Shield Craft:
Children create a shield using paper or cardboard and write the words “God Protects Me” to remind them that God is their protector.
Journey Map Drawing:
Kids draw a simple map showing Ezra’s journey, including the river, the road, and Jerusalem, emphasizing God’s guidance along the way.
Prayer Hands Cutout:
Children trace their hands on paper, cut them out, and write short prayer requests to remember the importance of praying like Ezra did.

SUGGESTED GAMES

Trust Walk Game:
Children take turns being blindfolded while a partner gently guides them, teaching the importance of trust.
Journey Obstacle Course:
A simple course that represents challenges on a journey, reminding kids that God helps us overcome obstacles.
Memory Verse Relay:
Teams race to arrange the memory verse words in the correct order.

Guard Your Heart: Lessons from Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-14

Memory Verse

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” – Proverbs 4:23
(Teacher tip: Repeat the verse with hand motions—point to the head for “think” and the heart for “life”)

Short Narrative (Teacher-Focused)

The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest lessons in the Bible about the heart, emotions, and choices.
Adam and Eve’s two sons, Cain and Abel, both brought offerings to God.
Abel gave his best with a sincere heart, while Cain allowed jealousy and anger to take root when his offering was not accepted.
God lovingly warned Cain, giving him a chance to choose what was right.
Sadly, Cain ignored God’s warning, and his unchecked anger led him to hurt and kill his brother Abel.
This story teaches that feelings are not wrong, but what we do with them matters.
God showed justice by correcting Cain and mercy by protecting him.
Children learn that God sees the heart, warns us before sin grows, and desires obedience that leads to life and peace.

Three Lessons to Learn

God cares about the heart behind our actions
God delights in a heart that is sincere and loving, not just outward actions.
Anger must be given to God before it grows
Children should talk to God about feelings instead of letting anger control their choices.
Choosing what is right protects everyone
Choosing obedience and kindness honors God and keeps ourselves and others safe.

Suggested Arts and Crafts

Heart Thermometer Showing Emotions
Children color levels on a heart to show calm, upset, angry, and peaceful feelings.
Goal: Help kids identify emotions before they grow
“Guard Your Heart” Shield Craft
Paper shield labeled with words like love, kindness, prayer, and obedience.
Goal: Remind kids that God helps protect their hearts
Prayer Jar for Angry Feelings
Children write or draw things that make them angry and place them in a jar to pray over.
Goal: Teach kids to give emotions to God

Suggested Games

Stop and Think Choices Game
Teachers describe situations, and kids choose the right response.
Focus: Decision-making
Emotion Charades
Children act out feelings while others guess.
Focus: Emotional awareness
Kindness Building Blocks
Each block represents a kind action. Build together as acts of kindness are named.
Focus: Positive choices

Suggested Sunday School Songs

“Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See”
“Jesus Loves the Little Children”
“This Little Light of Mine”
(Teacher tip: Connect each song to the lesson by asking how it helps us guard our hearts)

Closing Thought for Teachers

This lesson is not just about a Bible story—it is about helping children learn how to handle emotions, make godly choices, and understand that God lovingly warns us before sin grows.
When children learn to guard their hearts early, they build a strong foundation for a life that honors God.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026