Jonah and the Great Fish
God sent Jonah to Nineveh, but Jonah ran the other way. After a storm and a great fish, Jonah obeyed. The people of Nineveh turned to God, and God showed them mercy.
You will learn to...
- Retell Jonah's story in order.
- Understand that God loves all people, even enemies.
- See that God gives second chances.
Words to know
- Mercy
- Kindness and forgiveness when someone doesn't deserve it.
- Nineveh
- A huge city, the capital of Assyria.
Read the full lesson (for older kids and grown-ups)
God told Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and warn the people about their wickedness. But Jonah didn't want to go, so he got on a ship heading in the opposite direction.
God sent a great storm. The frightened sailors learned Jonah was running from God, and Jonah told them to throw him into the sea. When they did, the sea grew calm. God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah prayed, and God had the fish spit him out onto dry land.
This time Jonah went to Nineveh. The people believed God and turned from their wrong ways, and God showed them mercy. Jonah was angry that God forgave his enemies, but God gently taught Jonah that he cares about every person.
Jonah learned that you can't run away from God, and that God loves even people we might not like. God gave Jonah a second chance, and he gave Nineveh a second chance too.
Yahweh is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
Family conversation starters
- Who are the 'Ninevites' in our lives — people we find hard to love?
- Why is mercy surprising?
Main people: Jonah · Topics: Obedience, God's mercy, Second chances · Review status: awaiting theological review