Story Suggestion: The Book of Jonah The book of Jonah is a Sunday School favorite. It provides many teaching opportunities about listening to God and obeying Him. Children can easily relate to the story of Jonah “running away” from God, and the consequences. Emphasize God’s mercy in not letting Jonah go, and in preserving his life, rather than the negative aspect of his being swallowed by a whale. Game Ideas:

Jonah & The Whale

Running Away Directions: Explain to the children that you cannot run away from God. He knows where you are all of the time. Have the children stand in a line in front of you but facing the opposite direction. Read the statements below to them. If they think the child is running away from God, they are to take three steps away from you. If they think the child is listening and obeying God, they move three steps toward you. Robert knows that God does not like us to lie. Robert lies to his teacher about not doing his homework because he does not want to get in trouble for not doing it. (Three steps away) Sarah knows that God wants us to obey our parents. Even though she is upset, Sarah cleans up the toys in her room because her mom told her to do so. (Three steps back) Johnny knows God wants us to pray before we eat to thank Him for our food. Johnny does not want other kids to make fun of him, so he does not prayer before he eats his lunch at school. (Three steps away) Barbara knows God wants her to show His love by sharing. One day she gives up her turn on the swing even though she would really like to swing some more. (Three steps back) . You can think of more scenarios as time allows. Explain to the children that you never moved. Only they did the moving. God does not move away from us. When we run away from Him it is usually because we don't want to obey what He has told us. He is always waiting to forgive us when we ask Him.

Snack Ideas:

Some good snacks for this lesson would be:

Fish Bowls Directions: Tint some cream cheese light blue. Let the children spread the icing on Ritz crackers and stick on a few goldfish crackers. Serve some "ocean water" – (blue Kool-Aid.)

Aquarium Snack Directions: Tint vanilla icing a light blue. Use one graham cracker and spread the icing over top of it. Then let the children add Goldfish crackers or whales. To be creative, you can use fruit rollups and cut them into seaweed shapes. Stick them to the icing as well.

The Telephone Game Directions: Make telephones ahead of time by using two paper cups and some yarn. Place a hole in the center of the bottom of each cup. Thread yarn (at least 3 feet to 4 feet long) through the two holes and tie knots to secure the yarn. Make enough telephones so children can work in pairs (i.e., 4 phones for 8 children). During class divide the children into pairs. Have one child give a message through their phone, while his partner listens through his phone. See if they can hear each others messages.

Suggested Prayer :

"Dear God, I know I don't always do the things that are right, but please forgive me. Help me to remember to obey you always. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Art Center Ideas: Jonah Activity Sheet Directions: Have the children color the picture. Help the children cut out the figures of Jonah and the whale. Let the children glue Jonah where the dotted lines are in the picture. Cut along the dotted lines in the ocean, and show the children how to make the whale look like it is swimming.

Jonah Coloring Page