This lesson teaches children that God can never be outrun, and that He keeps loving people even when they run the wrong way. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses and the activity.
Big Idea
God sees everything, and He never stops caring about us. Even when we try to run away from what He asks, He can bring us back home.
Memory Verse
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation belongs to the LORD.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to put both hands on their hearts when they say the verse, then lift their arms up high on the word “salvation.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time until you are whispering the last one.
The Story: Jonah 1 for Kids
One day God spoke to a man named Jonah. God said, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and tell the people there that I have seen how wicked they are.” Jonah did not want to go. The people of Nineveh were not kind to his own people, and he did not want them to be forgiven.
So Jonah did something silly. He ran away from God. He walked down to the seaport of Joppa and found a ship going the other way, to a place called Tarshish. He paid for his ticket, climbed aboard and went down into the bottom of the boat to hide. He was so tired of running that he fell fast asleep.
Then God sent a huge wind over the sea. The waves grew so big that the sailors were terrified. They shouted to their gods and threw the cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. Meanwhile, Jonah was still asleep below deck. The captain woke him up and said, “Get up and pray to your God! Maybe He will save us!”
The sailors decided to draw lots to find out who had brought this trouble on them. The lot fell on Jonah. “Tell us who you are,” they said. Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God who made the sea and the dry land.” The sailors were very frightened, because they realized Jonah had been running from this God.
Jonah told them the truth: “Throw me into the sea, and the storm will stop, because this storm is my fault.” The sailors tried hard to row back to land, but the sea only grew wilder. At last they prayed to God, asked Him not to hold them responsible for Jonah’s life, and threw him overboard. Right away the sea grew calm.
The sailors were amazed. They worshiped the LORD and offered sacrifices to Him. And God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, so he stayed inside it for three days and three nights.
Read It Together
Jonah 1:1-2
1 Now the LORD’s word came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.”
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke clearly to Jonah and told him exactly where to go. Ask the children what it means that God gave Jonah a real job to do, and that God’s plan for Nineveh mattered to Him.
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
(WEB)
Show the children how Jonah turned his back on God’s command and went the opposite direction. Explain that running away from God is never a hiding place, because God is everywhere.
Jonah 1:15-16
15 So they took up Jonah, and threw him into the sea; and the sea ceased its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly; and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD, and made vows.
(WEB)
Point out that the storm stopped and the sailors began to honor God. Explain that God can use even our mistakes to show His power to other people.
Talk About It
- Where do you think Jonah thought he could hide from God, and why was that a silly idea?
- How did the sailors feel when the storm kept getting worse, and what did they do about it?
- What is one thing God asked you to do that you wanted to run away from?
- Why do you think the sailors stopped being afraid of the storm and started worshiping God?
- How can you remember that God sees you even when you feel alone?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Whale Craft
You will need a paper plate, blue and gray crayons or markers, glue, and a few cotton balls. Have each child draw a whale on the plate, color it, and glue on cotton ball waves. While they work, talk about how God rescued Jonah from the sea, and let each child tell you one way God takes care of them.
Storm and Calm Movement Game
Gather the children in an open space. Call out “storm,” and have them wiggle, wave their arms and make loud whooshing sounds. Then call out “calm,” and have them slowly sit down with their hands folded. Repeat several times, and end by saying that God can calm any storm in our lives.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a rubber band. Help each child write “God sees me everywhere” on one side and draw a small fish on the other. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket or backpack and read it aloud when they feel worried, reminding them that God is always near.
Teacher Notes
Jonah’s story shows that running from God’s call only makes things worse for everyone around us. God still pursues His people with patience and mercy, and He can use even reluctant messengers to bring His love to others. Adults can also see in the sailors a picture of people who come to know the LORD through His mercy in a storm.
Avoid overstating the fish to children. The chapter says God prepared a great fish and Jonah was inside it for three days and three nights, but it does not describe the fish in detail. Keep the focus on God’s rescue and His faithfulness rather than on the animal itself.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You see us everywhere we go. When we want to run away from what You ask, help us come back to You. Thank You for always listening and always loving us. Amen.
