In this lesson, children learn that God is patient and kind, even toward people we might not expect, and that he cares about everyone he has made. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is kind and patient, and he loves all the people he made, even the ones we find hard to like. We can trust his love for everyone.
Memory Verse
Jonah 4:2
He prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please, the LORD, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out, palms up, like you are offering a gift. Then slowly bring them to your heart while you say the words together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Jonah 4 for Kids
Jonah was very unhappy. God had sent him to the great city of Nineveh to tell the people there to turn away from their wrong ways. Jonah did not want them to be forgiven, so he had run the other way at first. Now God had spared the city, and Jonah was angry about it.
Jonah went outside the city and built a small shelter to sit in. He sat under it and waited to see what would happen to Nineveh. Jonah felt sure God should punish them. He told God that he would rather die than keep living like this.
God made a leafy plant grow up over Jonah, so that it gave him cool shade. Jonah was very happy about the plant. But the next morning God sent a worm that chewed the plant, and it dried up. Then the sun shone hot and a strong wind blew, and Jonah felt faint.
God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” Jonah said yes, he was right to be angry. God then reminded Jonah that he had not made the plant grow, and yet he cared about it. God said that he cared about the huge city of Nineveh, with its many people and animals too.
The story ends with God asking Jonah a question. The book does not tell us what Jonah answered. It leaves the question for us to think about.
Read It Together
Jonah 4:10-11
10 The LORD said, “You have been concerned for the vine, for which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night. 11 Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred twenty thousand persons who can’t discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much livestock?”
(WEB)
Show how God asks Jonah a question about caring for others. Point out the words about the many people in Nineveh and the animals. Explain that God cares about every person, not only the ones we like.
Jonah 4:6
The LORD God prepared a vine, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine.
(WEB)
Point out that God gave Jonah shade from the plant. Let children notice that God provides good things for people, even when they are grumpy. Explain that God’s kindness is a gift, not something we earn.
Talk About It
- What made Jonah angry when God showed kindness to the people of Nineveh?
- How did God show Jonah that he cared about the plant, and about the city?
- Can you think of someone who is hard to love? What could you do to show that person kindness?
- Why do you think God is so patient with people who make mistakes?
- How can you remember that God loves everyone, even when you feel unhappy with someone?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Own Shade Plant
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a leafy plant with big leaves that could give shade. Then have them draw a small person sitting underneath it. Talk about how the plant gave Jonah cool shade and how God gives us good things too.
Shade and Sun Relay
Set up two spots in your room or yard, one marked as “shade” with a blanket or chair and one marked as “sun.” Children carry a cup of water from the sun spot to the shade spot without spilling, then back again. Between turns, say a line from the memory verse. Explain that God’s kindness is like shade on a hot day.
Kindness Reminder Card
Give each child an index card or a piece of paper folded in half. Ask them to write or draw one way they can show kindness to someone this week, such as sharing a toy or saying a kind word. They can take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, like by their bed or on the fridge.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows adults that God’s patience and compassion reach beyond the people we would choose. Jonah wanted justice on his terms, but God’s concern extended to a whole city. It invites readers to examine their own hearts about who they consider deserving of God’s care.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that Jonah’s anger was simply a sin they must never feel, or that God’s mercy means there are no consequences for wrongdoing. Keep the focus on God’s loving character, and let the open ending of the chapter invite thoughtful questions rather than neat answers.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are kind and patient with us. Help us to love the people around us, even when it is hard. Thank you that you care about everyone you made. Amen.
