right way, jonah! · right way, jonah! key verse jonah 3:5 sticky statement go the right...

7. Right Way, Jonah! (Module 2 – Walk This Way) - 45

Right Way, Jonah!

KEY VERSE

Jonah 3:5

STICKY STATEMENT

Go the right way–right away.

LESSON OBJECTIVE

Children will learn that God’s Word can lead us to repentance and will be challenged to allow God's Word to change their hearts.

CHECKLIST

1. A Power Point is included with this lesson.

2. “God’s Story, Jonah,” video, https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/7-1/ (4:01). (Younger Adaptation) (Introduction)

3. A piece of burlap (or rough fabric) large enough to place around your body.

4. Visual 1 – Nineveh Sign

5. Visual 2 – A picture of sackcloth.

LESSON OVERVIEW

Jonah was given a second chance from God to go to the people of Nineveh to deliver His message. This time Jonah obeyed God right away. We will see that God’s message changed the hearts of the Ninevites. Children will be challenged to allow God’s message to change their hearts as well.

Younger Adaptation

Before we see what the Bible says about Jonah’s adventure, let’s watch this video.

Teacher’s Note: Show the video, “God’s Story, Jonah,” https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/7-1/ (4:01).

Wow! That’s some story! Now, let’s see what the Bible has to say about Jonah.


INTRODUCTION Teacher’s Note: If you are using the Younger Adaptation, replace the introduction about video games with the video, “God’s Story, Jonah,” https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/7-1/ (0:00-2:38). Introduce the video as a review of what you have learned so far about Jonah. After watching the video, continue teaching at the body of the lesson. How many of you are video game players? What is your favorite video game? [Allow several children to say the name of their favorite video game.] Whether you are playing on a PlayStation, an X-Box, or some other gaming system, one of the most frustrating parts of a game is when you make a wrong move and your game ends. You made all that progress and now you have to start all over. That’s frustrating, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be great if you got a second chance to begin again from where you left off?

BODY

Let’s find out about Jonah’s second chance. We’ll begin by reading from Jonah chapter 3. [Read Jonah 3:1-2.] Typically, prophets like Jonah brought messages from God to the people of Israel. This time God wanted Jonah to deliver a message of doom to people who didn’t even know God. I imagine that spending three days as fish food influenced Jonah to take a U-turn in his life by repenting and doing what God wanted him to do. Jonah decided this time he would go the right way–right away! Teacher’s Note: Choose a large city with which your children will be familiar. Use the name of that city in the blanks as you read. I want you to think of the city of ________________. Large cities like ____________ may have lots of exciting things to see and do. However, most large cities have violent gangs in them who are known for committing violent crimes. Nineveh was the largest city during Jonah’s time, and they were known for their violent behavior. Jonah couldn’t give God’s message to Nineveh by writing an article in the newspaper. He couldn’t go on TV to broadcast his warning to the city. He couldn’t put up a YouTube video to announce God’s message to the Ninevites, nor could he send a text message to them on their cell phones. The only way that Jonah could deliver God’s message was to go there in person. [Show Visual 1.] Jonah had no idea how the Ninevites would react to God’s message to them. Listen to the message that Jonah had to deliver to them. [Read Jonah 3:4.] That would be like telling a bully that if he didn’t change his ways, he would get what he deserved. Now, I don’t know a lot of bullies, but I think that most bullies would probably laugh in your face if you told them that. But, don’t forget, this was not Jonah’s message, this was God’s message! So, let’s find out how the Ninevites responded. [Read Jonah 3:5.] Say what? These people who were so mean believed in God! What Jonah didn’t know was that God had already prepared the hearts of the Ninevites to receive His message. Teacher’s Note: Take the piece of burlap and wear it like a wrap to explain why the people put on sackcloth. If you do not have a piece of sackcloth, show visual 2. The Bible says that the Ninevites put on sackcloth. What in the world is sackcloth, you ask? It’s a rough, thick cloth made from goat’s hair that was used to make just what it says--sacks. If you wanted to show others how very sad you were, you would put on sackcloth. Because the Ninevites were sorry for their wickedness, they put on their sackcloth, sat in ashes, and fasted to show God how sorry they were. They decided to go the right way—right away!


When the news of God’s message reached the king of Nineveh, he, too, believed God. The wicked king immediately got off his throne, took off his royal robes, and put on sackcloth to show God he was sorry for his own sin and the wickedness of his city. He, too, decided to go the right way–right away! In fact, the king made a very interesting decree for his kingdom. Let me read it to you from Jonah 3:8. [Read Jonah 3:8.] Can you imagine that? Everyone, even the animals, were covered in sackcloth! The whole wicked nation, their animals and their king turned from their evil ways and immediately obeyed God! Have you ever done something wrong that you later regretted? Maybe you got angry and called someone a bad name and then felt sad afterwards. Let me read to you what happens when we have godly sorrow about our sin. [Read 2 Corinthians 7:10.] This verse tells us that people who repent will not regret it. We will never be sorry when we repent for doing wrong. Repentance leads us to go the right way – right away! The book of Jonah does not tell us exactly what the Ninevites were doing wrong, but we do know they were a wicked and violent people. We are not here to tell you what you are doing wrong. You already know what you need to deal with in your heart. Will you go the right way – right away? So, do you think God still brought punishment on Nineveh? Let me read what He did. [Read Jonah 3:10.] The book of Jonah reminds us that God loves all people—not just the good ones—or the ones we like—or the ones that like us. All people should have the opportunity to hear the good news about God’s love for them. God knows the hearts of all men. He knew that the people of Nineveh were truly sorry for their sin. When the Word of the Lord is accepted through repentance, people go the right way–right away. APPLICATION

Teacher’s Note: The following questions are to help the children focus on specific situations where there is a right and wrong choice weighted against God’s Word. Read each scenario and instruct the children to choose the answer that best describes the right way. I am going to read a few scenarios to you. Then I will give you three choices of how to respond. If the response does not show true repentance, put your thumbs down. If you think the response shows true repentance, put your thumbs up. Ready?

1. Your mom is upset because your room is really messy. She tells you to clean it, but you disobey. Later, you repent. Does this mean you:

A. Go back and clean your room to stop her from nagging you, but then go right back to

being sloppy again. B. Tell your mom you’re sorry you disobeyed, clean your room, and really try your best

to keep it clean. C. Paint your room a new color.

2. Some kids at school were picking on another boy. You laughed along with the

other kids. Later you felt bad about it and repented of what you had done. Does this mean you:

A. Decide not to say anything to the boy. B. Apologize to him for laughing and ask him to sit with you at lunch. C. Decide to pick on the kids who were picking on him.


3. You took a bag of candy off of your teacher’s desk when no one was looking.

When you got home, you ate all the candy. Now, not only do you feel guilty, but you also feel sick. You repent of stealing. Does this mean you:

A. Go to bed and try to forget about it. B. Buy the teacher another bag of candy and put it back on her desk without telling her. C. Take your allowance money and buy the teacher another bag of candy and tell her

you’re sorry for what you did.

4. You were invited to go swimming at your best friend’s house. Mom said you could go when your homework is complete. You lie to your mom and tell her it’s finished. You go swimming, but later feel guilty for lying to your mother. Does this mean you:

A. Stay at your friend’s house and swim, then finish your homework later that evening. B. Go the right way—right away. Get out of the pool. Confess your lie to your mom and

go finish your homework. C. Continue swimming because your friend said he would let you copy his homework.

5. You are at your friend’s house. They are watching a movie your parent or guardian

has specifically said you cannot watch, but you watch it anyway. When you go home, does this mean you: A. Repent and confess what you’ve done. B. Keep it to yourself thinking your parents will never find out. C. You feel guilty so you tell your parents that your friend’s parents said it was okay.

The questions you just answered showed you how easy it is to choose the wrong way. We are not here to tell you what you are doing wrong. You can recognize when something is wrong. Your challenge this week is this: every time you are faced with a decision of right or wrong, stop and ask yourself this question: What is the right way? After you have asked the question, make your choice. Remember, the wisest way is to obey, so go the right way—right away. [Close in prayer.]

PERSONAL TRAINING TIME

Goal of this Personal Training Time

Help children realize that the truth of God’s Word will lead them to repentance.

Discussion Questions

1. How did the Ninevites respond when Jonah gave them the message from God? (The people repented of their wicked ways. The king, his people and their animals wore sackcloth to show how sorry they were.)

2. According to 2 Corinthians 7:10, what does godly sorrow bring about? Give an example of an area where you experience godly sorrow. (Godly sorrow brings about repentance without regrets. As the PT Huddle coach, you might want to share a short example of godly sorrow in your life. Help the children see the difference between godly sorrow and just saying “I apologize” or “I’m sorry.”)


3. What is the wisest way to obey? How will you apply the lesson of true repentance to your life? (Go the right way—right away. Discuss ways to show godly sorrow to their family or friends when they repent for the things they do wrong.)

PARENT CONNECTION

As we continue the study of Jonah in Chapter 3, we discussed that repentance changes lives. When Jonah chose to go the right way, he brought God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Because of God’s message, the people of Nineveh chose to go the right way. Ask your child to tell you what the Ninevites did to show their true repentance. Talk about what repentance looks like when they are sorry for disobeying you. For example: if your child didn’t obey and clean their room—repentance would be not only cleaning their room, but trying harder to keep it clean in the future. We challenged your child to make the choice to go the right way—right away.


Visual 1

Visual 2

right way, jonah! · right way, jonah! key verse jonah 3:5 sticky statement go the right...

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