This lesson teaches children that God sees us wherever we go, and that we can always turn back to him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the activity, and prayer.
Big Idea
You cannot run away from God, but God always makes a way for you to come back to him.
Memory Verse
Jonah 1:17
The LORD prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
(WEB)
Have children hold both arms out wide like a big fish’s mouth, then bring them together slowly while saying the verse. Then have them wiggle their fingers like waves. Repeating this two or three times helps the words stick.
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 they have done wrong.” Jonah did not want to go. The people of Nineveh were not kind to Jonah’s people, and Jonah thought they did not deserve a warning from God.
So Jonah did something very silly. He ran away from God. He walked down to a town called Joppa and paid money to get on a ship that was sailing far away to a place called Tarshish. He thought he could hide from God by going somewhere else. But God sees everywhere.
Soon God sent a huge wind, and a terrible storm came over the sea. The waves crashed, and the ship shook so hard that the sailors were scared. Each sailor prayed to his own god. They even threw their cargo into the water to make the ship lighter. Jonah, though, was down in the bottom of the ship, fast asleep.
The ship’s captain woke Jonah up. He 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 pointed to Jonah. Jonah told them the truth: he was running away from the LORD, the God who made the sea and the land.
The sailors asked what they should do to make the storm stop. Jonah said, “Throw me into the sea, and the storm will stop. This storm is because of me.” At first the sailors tried hard to row back to land, but the storm got worse. So they prayed to God, asking him not to punish them for Jonah’s sin. Then they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea, and the sea became calm.
After that, the sailors were amazed at God’s power. They worshiped the LORD and gave him their offerings. Jonah had run from God, but God was not finished with him. God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah stayed inside that fish for three days and three nights.
Read It Together
Jonah 1:1-3
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.” 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)
Point out that God gave Jonah a clear job, and Jonah chose to run the other way. Ask children what they think Jonah should have done instead. Help them see that running away from God’s word is never the answer.
Jonah 1:4-6
4 But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty storm on the sea, so that the ship was likely to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and every man cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship, and he was laying down, and was fast asleep. 6 So the ship master came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God! Maybe your God will notice us, so that we won’t perish.”
(WEB)
Show how the sailors were scared and prayed to their gods, while Jonah was asleep. Ask children why they think Jonah could sleep during a storm. Explain that Jonah was ignoring God, and that his sleep does not mean he was at peace.
Jonah 1:15-17
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. 17 The LORD prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
(WEB)
Point out that even in the middle of trouble, God did not leave Jonah. God calmed the sea, saved the sailors, and prepared a fish to keep Jonah safe. Explain that God’s love reaches even when we make mistakes.
Talk About It
- Where is one place you think you could go where God would not see you? What does this story tell you about that idea?
- Why did Jonah want to run away from God instead of doing what God asked?
- How do you think the sailors felt when they saw the storm stop?
- What is one thing you can do when you feel scared, like the sailors did?
- How did God show kindness to Jonah even after Jonah disobeyed him?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Fish Craft
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, and construction paper. Have children draw a fish face on a paper plate and cut out a tail from construction paper. Glue the tail on the back of the plate. As they work, talk about how God prepared a fish to keep Jonah safe. Let them take their fish home as a reminder that God always cares for us.
Storm and Calm Movement Game
Ask children to stand in a open space. Call out “Storm!” and have them shake, wave their arms, and stomp around. Then call out “Calm!” and have them freeze and lie down quietly. Repeat several times. Explain that just as God calmed the sea, he can bring peace to our hearts when we feel afraid.
Thank You Note Take-Home
Give each child a small piece of paper and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw one thing they are thankful God sees and cares about them. Encourage them to share their note with a family member at home that evening. This helps children remember that God is always with them, wherever they go.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that human disobedience cannot put us beyond God’s reach. Jonah tried to escape God’s presence, yet God pursued him with a storm, a fish, and a second chance. The sailors’ response also shows that God’s power over creation leads even pagan people to fear him and offer worship.
When teaching children, avoid making the great fish the main point of the story. The fish is a means of rescue, and the lesson centers on God’s faithfulness and Jonah’s disobedience. Keep the focus on God’s character, not on the fish, so children learn that God always seeks us out.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see us everywhere we go. When we feel like running away, help us to turn back to you. Thank you for always caring for us, even when we make mistakes. Help us to trust you and listen to you every day. Amen.
