I N T H E B E L LY O F A F I S H
|
S U N D AY, M AY 1 7, 2 0 2 0
BIG PICTURE: If I humble myself and submit to God, amazing things can happen.
BIG POINT: I can do hard things because God loves me and I love him.
BIG STORY: Read Jonah 1–3 BIG WORD: “Jesus answered, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” John 14:23 (CSB) LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this lesson, children will: • Understand that when we obey God, we show him that we love him. • Understand that following God isn’t always easy, but is always best, and that God will help us obey. • Understand that God can use us to accomplish amazing things when we obey him.
THE BIG QUESTIONS (to discuss with your kids)
1. When God told Jonah his plan, what was Jonah’s response? He ran away from the Lord, or at least tried to (see Jonah 1:1–3)! 2. Why should we obey God? We obey God because he has a plan and knows what is best for us. 3. What did Jonah realize/do when he was in the belly of the fish? He humbled himself, prayed, and realized that salvation comes from the Lord; therefore, he would sacrifice to the Lord with grateful praise (see Jonah 2:9). 4. What did Jonah do when God instructed him a second time? Jonah obeyed (see Jonah 3:1–3). Aren’t you glad our God is the God of second chances? 5. What happened when Jonah obeyed? The whole city of Nineveh repented (see Jonah 3:5–8).
1
6. Take time to pray, listen, and ask God what he is asking you to do. a. Parents and kids should each share what they hear God saying. b. Is what God is asking you to do hard or easy? c. How can you help each other do what God is asking? d. What amazing things might happen if you obey?
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: EARLY CHILDHOOD Jonah and the Great Fish Craft Supplies needed: Whale illustration from page 4, scissors, glue or tape, and crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Directions: Print the whale from page 4. Have kids color the whale and Jonah. Color the small rectangle the same color as the whale. Cut out the whale and the rectangle on the dotted lines. Fold the rectangle on the solid line and glue or tape it on top of Jonah. Explanation: God wants us to humble ourselves and pray to him like Jonah did. Also suggested for early childhood: “Jonah and the Whale” coloring page on MomJunction.com
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ELEMENTARY
Jonah and the Big Fish Cup Catch Supplies needed: plastic/foam 8-ounce disposable cup, funnel, 3’ piece of string, 5” balloon, flour, permanent marker, card stock, googly eye or eye made out of paper, and glue dots, sticky tack, or tape Directions: Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. Thread the string through the hole and then tie it to itself. The string will be wrapped and tied around one side of the cup. Make a tail out of the card stock and fold the bottom edge of it to attach it to the cup with glue dots, sticky tack, or tape. Attach a googly eye or paper eye. Using a funnel, put flour into the balloon until it is just filled and tie it off. Have kids draw a person on the balloon with permanent marker. Tie the balloon to the end of the string. Hold the cup and swing Jonah around to catch him in the fish’s mouth and spit him out again. Explanation: By putting Jonah in the belly of the big fish, God helped Jonah do the right thing—pray and repent—and then had the fish spit him out on dry land. God gives us opportunities to humble ourselves and pray and repent, too.
Also included for elementary: “God Wants Us to Obey” coloring page (page 5) and “Jonah and the Big Fish” maze activity (page 6)
2
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ALL AGES
Runaway Game Use this game to help children remember that even though Jonah ran away, God forgave him. Have family members form a circle and put their hands behind their backs. Choose someone to be “Jonah,” and give Jonah an object such as a plastic ball or small toy. Jonah will carry the object around the outside of the circle, while family members say, “Jonah, Jonah, disobeyed. God forgave him anyway.” At the end of the phrase, Jonah will put the object into another family member’s hands, and that person will chase Jonah around the circle. If Jonah makes it back to the open spot in the circle without being tagged, the person holding the object will be Jonah. Fish Bank Supplies needed: Construction paper, markers, glue sticks, a clean and empty two-liter bottle, and other craft supplies as desired, such as stickers or sequins (optional) Directions: Lay the bottle on its side, then have family members work together to decorate it with markers and paper or other craft supplies so that it looks like a fish. As you work, talk about how hard it might be to go to a faraway place to tell people about God’s love. Place the completed fish bank on the table. Encourage children to look for spare change or donate a portion of their allowance and add it to the fish bank each week. When the fish bank is full, send the money to a missionary, along with letters of encouragement. If you’re interested in donating to or learning more about CCC-supported missionaries, visit cccomaha.org/missionaries.
PRAYER Dear God, thank you that you love us so much and that you forgive us when we turn to you. Help us to show you we love you too by being humble and obedient to do your will, for the glory of your name. Amen.
3
Art created by Dillon Wheelock for Christ Community Church, Omaha, NE. Š Christ Community Church, Omaha, NE. All rights reserved. May be printed/shared for personal use only. Email CCC at info@cccomaha.org for all other use.
Jonah and the Big Fish M A Z E
START
FINISH
Maze provided by River Valley Network through Life.Church