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.

Planting Seeds of Faith

Tuesday, January 20, 2026