Sunday School Lesson – Jonah Bible Story Lesson for Kids

You Can’t Hide from God!
Biblical Beasts: Jonah Gets Swallowed by a Big Fish (Whale)

Use this free Sunday School Bible Lesson and Children’s Sermon when teaching about the Prophet Jonah and the Big Fish (Jonah 1-3). Don’t miss the related Bible craft ideas for this lesson plan.

Main Objective: The story of Jonah is a fun and remarkable account of a surprising rescue source, but it’s much more than just a fish tale. This message considers how Jonah tried to run away and hide from God, but there’s nowhere that is beyond His presence! Despite Jonah’s disobedience, God was gracious and merciful, sending the fish to save him and giving a second chance at preaching to the Ninevites. God is present with us always, and provides us with constant opportunities to serve Him. 

Law/Gospel Theme: Jonah is an amazing story of rescue and of strange animal behavior. More so, it’s a reminder of God’s grace and mercy. He provides us with second chances when we make mistakes, and saves us from harm and danger. He is present with us in all circumstances, even when we try to run or hide from Him. This is not a threatening truth, but a comforting reminder that God is on our side and wants the best for us. Just as Jonah was in the fish for three days and saved, we know that Jesus was in the tomb three days, and saved us!

Note: This lesson is the fourth in a series on “Biblical Beasts,” remarkable stories of animals that God used in various ways. Jonah’s account features a fish as a surprising savior, but ultimately reminds us of the saving power of Jesus and of God’s omnipresence.   

Optional Materials: Hidden picture images (finding pictures within pictures)

Bible Passage: Jonah 1-3 (selected verses, depending on emphasis and need)

Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. 

Greet children, and consider what it means to hide…

Hello, children of God!
I want you to take a look at these pictures. Have you ever seen a hidden picture puzzle? Hold up a couple examples of pictures where other things are hidden. In these images, you have to look closely to find objects that are hiding in plain sight. Some are more challenging than others, of course, but they require careful examination to locate the things inside of the picture. Hiding can be kind of fun. Have you ever played hide and seek? In hide and seek, you hide from someone who tries to find you, and sometimes there’s an element of chasing involved, too. 

Have you ever thought about playing hide and seek with God? It might seem a little silly, and honestly, it’s not a great idea. God is everywhere and knows everything. There’s nowhere we can go that would be away from Him entirely. But sometimes we still try. Have you ever heard about a man named Jonah? Jonah is best known for his encounter with the big fish, of course, but there’s more to his story than that. See, Jonah was trying to hide from God. Actually, he was trying to run away from God, and get out of His presence. But as we mentioned, there’s nowhere you can go that would be outside of His presence. 

Jonah was a prophet, used by God to speak messages to people. The Lord told Jonah to go to a place called Nineveh. But Jonah was scared. He knew that the people of Nineveh were wicked and did not fear God, and he didn’t know what might happen if he went there. So instead, he got on a ship that was heading in the opposite direction. He was trying to run away from God. In fact, the Bible says he was trying to run from God’s presence! Of course, that’s impossible, because nowhere is beyond God’s reach and presence. But Jonah thought he could play hide and seek with God. While he was on the boat, though, a huge storm came up. There were waves and winds, and the sailors thought they might die. They were crying out to different gods, and trying to identify why the storm was happening. Jonah admitted that he served the one true God, and he was being disobedient to Him. Jonah insisted they throw him overboard to stop the storm. The sailors were reluctant, but they finally did it. They threw Jonah over the side of the ship, and the storm stopped. 

God wasn’t finished with Jonah yet, though. He still had a plan to use him. God sent a great fish to swallow JOnah so that he wouldn’t drown in the water. Jonah was inside the fish for three days and nights. It probably didn’t smell great, and was likely very cramped inside. But Jonah rejoiced and praised God for rescuing him. After his time in the fish, God told the creature to spit Jonah out, and it did. 

God told Jonah a second time to go to preach to Nineveh. Now, disobeying once was foolish. But Jonah wasn’t foolish enough to try to run away again! He obeyed, going to Nineveh to preach. The people listened to the words God had, and they repented of their sins and evil ways. God spared the city and did not destroy the people. Jonah was actually a little upset about that, but God reminded him that he had gotten a second chance, too. 

This account is powerful in several ways. It reminds us that God is gracious and merciful. He gives us second chances when we mess things up, even when we don’t deserve anything but punishment. He loves us and wants the best for us. And He is always present with us. Even when we try to hide or run away, nothing can separate us from God’s presence and love. He will always provide for us, no matter what. He rescues us and protects us! Just as Jonah was in the fish for three days, God sent Jesus, who was in the tomb for three days, but rose to save us and sent His spirit to be with us always! 

Let’s pray now and thank God for His Presence and protection. 

Prayer: 
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for always being with us
Even when we run away or make mistakes.
Please help us to obey you
And to remember your presence.
Thank you for your love.
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen! 

Bible Verses/story to Reference:
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.  All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.  The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”
Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.  So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”  He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)  The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.  Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.”  Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.  At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.  Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”  The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.  But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.  Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”   When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
-Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10

Biblical Beasts: Jonah’s Fish Tale –

Sunday School Lesson on God’s Omniscience and Omnipresence

The story of Jonah is a memorable one that a lot of students are likely familiar with. When else do we see a fish act as rescuer? As exciting as the underwater rescue is, though, it is more than a fishy story. Jonah is ultimately a lesson about redemption and salvation. This lesson illustrates for students the importance of second chances. Jonah and the people of Nineveh were given second chances by God, and we are, too! It’s a blessing to know that He offers us another shot time and again when we sin, and that He is with us to help us when we stumble. 

The Jonah account also reminds us of God’s presence and protection in our lives. Jonah tried to run and hide from the Lord, but it’s just not possible! Nowhere we can go is far enough away from God’s omnipresent power. He wants to be with us and loves us even when we make mistakes, disobey, or try to hide. 

This lesson is the fourth in a series on Biblical beasts, animals that God used as part of His special plans for His people. Jonah’s account features a fish who received specific instructions from God, and followed them! (Note: the fish did a better job obeying directions than Jonah!)

Passage: Jonah 1:1-17;3:1-10

Target Audience: Kindergarten-6^th grade 

Materials Needed: Maps; sardine cans; spray bottles; fish pictures; Bibles. 

Lesson Opening: This passage is a great one to do with children. It lends itself to fun interactive “fishy” elements, but has an important lesson about God’s love and forgiveness, too. To get students thinking and ready to learn, consider an activity opener along these lines:

• The wrong direction: Look at Tarshish and Nineveh on a map to see where Jonah went in comparison to where he was supposed to go. Then look at other countries that need to hear the gospel. If applicable, talk about missionaries that your church supports. 
• Hide and Seek: Always a classic, especially for this passage. Have students play the original version of the game or a variation like “sardines” (one student hides and as others find him/her, they join in hiding. This is especially appropriate for the story!). Discuss how Jonah tried to hide, but there’s nowhere that we can go away from God! 
• Try Again… Celebrate the second chances in this story. Give students a tough task to complete. If they have a hard time doing it, give them a second chance, and help them along if needed. 
• Simon Says Opposites: Just like Jonah did the opposite of what God told him, have students play “Simon Says” with a twist– they should do the opposite of what Simon says. It requires extra thought! If Simon says turn right, for instance, kids should turn left. Instead of standing up, they can sit down, etc. 
• Captain’s Coming: This is a fun nautical themed game requiring following directions. Divide the room or playing area into sections, and call off commands for students to obey. These should involve parts of a ship or tasks on one. For the purposes of this story, you might also include Jonah elements. The last student to complete the task will “walk the plank” and be out until the next round (adapt this if you have very few players or don’t want anyone “out”). The last player in is the next captain giving orders. Directions include boat terms (“bow” means run forward, “stern” calls to go to the back of the room; “starboard” and “port” are right and left); “scrub the deck” (get down on hands and knees and mime scrubbing), “storm’s coming” (get in a praying position on knees), and “captain’s coming” (stand at attention and salute the captain). 

Explain that the lesson is about someone who tried to disobey and run away from God. God didn’t give up on him, though, but helped him stay safe and eventually reach the people of Nineveh.  He provided a second chance to Jonah in the story, and He stuck with Him. He sticks by us, rescues us, and gives all of us second chances when we make mistakes, too! 

Bible Lesson: 

This passage features some great dramatic elements, along with important lessons about obedience and grace. This story is a fun one to act out or read interactively. Have older students take turns reading, or read out loud for younger kids.  

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.  -Jonah 1:1-3

Explain that Jonah was a prophet: someone called by God to tell others about Him. The Lord told Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the people there that God’s wrath was coming. But Jonah was afraid. Nineveh was a place full of wicked people, and he didn’t know what they might try to do to him if he gave them God’s message. So instead of going up to Nineveh, he boarded a ship heading in the opposite direction. He went down south to Tarshish, trying to run away from God’s directions. That might seem to us like a silly idea, but sometimes we disobey or try to ignore what God says. 

Ask: Have you ever disobeyed or tried to get out of something when your parents told you to do something? What happens when we disobey?   

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.  All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.  The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” -Jonah 1:4-6

The other sailors on the ship did not know the one true God, but had other deities they worshiped. The storm that blew in came by God’s design, as a consequence for Jonah’s behavior. The sailors tried everything to save the ship, but it was looking bleak. Jonah again had been hiding, and they asked him to call upon God for help. 

Tip: Make the story interactive by having students crawl onto an area or surface designated as the “boat”. Spritz water on them from a spray bottle to mimic the storm.

Ask: How would you feel right now if you were Jonah?

Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.  So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”  He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)  The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” -Jonah 1:7-12

Jonah admitted that the storm was his fault, and that he was running away from the Lord. The sailors didn’t want to throw him overboard. They tried everything else they could do. But Jonah knew that God was unhappy with him and told the sailors they could be saved by tossing him into the sea.
It’s important to note here that, while it seems God is being harsh and heartless by punishing Jonah, this was part of His plan. He could have carried out His will without a storm and fish swallowing episode, of course. Why He chose such a creative method we cannot say. But it ultimately worked for good. 

Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.  Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.”  Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.  At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.  -Jonah 1:13-17

Finally, the sailors tossed Jonah overboard, begging God for forgiveness and worrying that they would be responsible for his death. But Jonah, of course, did not die! God sent a large fish to swallow him. We often call it a whale, but here it just says “fish.” We aren’t quite sure what kind of fish that was. Also point out how long Jonah was in the fish: three days and nights. This is a very Biblical number, and of course what else took that long? (Jesus was in the tomb for three days!)

Tip: Have students crawl into a tight space to represent the fish. For added effect, have a can of tuna or sardines for a fishy smell! 

Ask: Have you ever felt guilty about something? How can you tell when you’ve done wrong?

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.  Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”  The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. -Jonah 3:1-5

Here we have Jonah’s second chance! God caused the fish to spit him up onto dry land. If three days in the belly of a fish doesn’t grab attention, who knows what would…Jonah had time to think about what he had done and how he had run from God. He realized God rescued him, so when the Lord asked him again to go to Nineveh, you better believe he obeyed! Maybe he was still nervous. Maybe he thought the Ninevites wouldn’t listen to him, or didn’t deserve to be saved anyway. But they believed! Right away they listened to God’s words and repented. God had given Jonah a second chance, and he gave the people of Nineveh a second chance. He saw that they were truly sorry and allowed them to be saved. 

When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.  But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.  Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”   When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

 -Jonah 3:6-10

God loves each and every individual. He cared about the people of Nineveh even though they had done wrong. He provided Jonah to carry His message to them. He also cared for Jonah, and didn’t let him drown, even though he had tried to run away and hide. God is merciful and willing to let us try again when we make mistakes.     

Ask: Have you ever made a mistake and gotten a second chance to fix it? How does that feel? 

A lot of attention in the Jonah story falls on the fish swallowing, with good reason. But Jonah is not the hero here (neither is the fish!). This story is about repentance and redemption. It reminds us that God provides for us and helps us no matter what. No matter how many times we mess things up, He is ready and willing to help us and He lets us try again and again. His plans are good and He lets us be part of them! He is present with us always and everywhere, and He wants the best for us. 

      Where shall I go from your Spirit?

    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning

    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me,

    and your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

    and the light about me be night,”

even the darkness is not dark to you;

    the night is bright as the day,

    for darkness is as light with you. -Psalm 139:7-12

Review questions about the lesson: 

• How do we know that God is always present? What reminds you of that, even when you don’t see Him?
• Why did Jonah run in the opposite direction from what God told him? 
• How long was Jonah in the fish? What does this remind us of? 

Close with prayer, thanking God for second chances and His presence, and asking for His help in all things.