Then, God saved him by sending a fish to swallow him. This is the only time in the OT where Israel is commanded to actively pursue the Gentiles. Before we can answer that we need to back up and look at the story. A city in the opposite direction of Nineveh. The Prophet Jonah seems almost comical in his relationship with God, except for one thing: The souls of over 100,000 people were at stake. slow to anger and abounding in mercy. Everyone, show me with your arms how the waves went up and down. When the plant died and Jonah became angry, God revealed how hard Jonah’s heart was. Read Jonah 1-4 with your students or read the following story as a summary. Like a puzzle where every piece is unique and important to create a wonderful picture, we each have a part to play in God’s story which He wants us … Explore the unique architecture and sacred art of the largest Roman Catholic church in North America. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. The teacher gives instructions, saying “Teacher Says” as in “Simon Says.” Do the motions as you say the instruction. Jonah then marched east of the city and sat and waited for it to be destroyed. Jonah 4:2-4 describes: He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? As Christians, God has shown us incredible grace and mercy in the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Basilica throughout the year. For three days, Jonah was trapped in the belly of the fish, where he prayed to the Lord. Though it may seem strange and abrupt, the ending summarizes what is at the heart of this small Old Testament book: God’s mercy. Jonah wanted God to kill the people of Nineveh, but God wanted to forgive them. Jonah’s story is about someone being rescued by God. The Basilica is a pilgrimage church and the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine. And everyone on the boat was so afraid. Maybe he used Jonah because Jonah needed God’… The story of one such prophet is found in Jonah. Basilica Insider: The Art of Mary Stratton in America’s Catholic Church, Celebrating the Anniversary of the Incarnation Dome. Some scholars believe the Ninevites paid attention to Jonah because of his bizarre appearance. That’s why we never charge for our curriculum or even ask for donations. God commanded Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach to them about their sinfulness and call them to repentance. A Hebrew prophet living during the reign of Jeroboam II, Jonah was visited by the Lord, who asked him to go to Nineveh to warn them of God’s impending judgement upon them. Jonah knew that it was God who had sent the storm and he knew that it was because he was disobeying God. Review the events of historic significance that have taken place at the Basilica. Jonah reacted in anger because he wanted revenge; he wanted the Nineveh to be destroyed. Story: A very long time ago lived a man named Jonah; God had a special job for Jonah, God wanted Jonah to go to the land of Nineveh and to tell the people that their evil ways had broken God’s heart. So, he got on a boat and went far away from Nineveh instead of going to Nineveh as God told him to. For three days Jonah sat in the belly of the fish. Anyone who does something without the teacher having said, “Teacher says” has to pretend that they’ve been swallowed by a fish and taken to Nineveh at the other side of the room. The sailors didn’t want to throw Jonah overboard because they thought he would drown, so they kept trying to row back to land. That means no permission is needed as long as you credit this Ministry-To-Children.com in the final work. This post is the second installment in the Basilica’s Biblical Figures series, which highlights the stories of the individuals throughout the Scriptures who are portrayed in “America’s Catholic Church.” While some of them inspire us with their unwavering faithfulness, others serve as sober reminders of the consequences of sin. Students try to launch their action figure (Jonah) into the trashcan (fish’s mouth) using only their blanket (waves of the sea). When he confessed that he was running from the Lord, they tossed him overboard. God always forgives us and gives us more chances to believe in Him and to obey Him. In the end, God won and Jonah went to Nineveh to preach. Jonah Runs from the Lord. God forgives people who ask His forgiveness. God sent a big fish, some call it a whale, to swallow Jonah and to save him from drowning. But Jonah still didn’t like the people of Nineveh. God was giving Jonah a second chance to listen to Him. Jonah (A4 British) pdf. What would seem to outside observers to be only another hardship for Jonah to endure was, in fact, God’s provision to save the life of His prophet. A storm comes. 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast Washington, D.C. 20017. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. ADDRESS: Ministry-To-Children ), Jonah disobeyed God, so God sent a very bad storm to attack Jonah’s boat. (Jonah 4:9-11). He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. Jonah’s preaching was, in the end, a great success. Seeing how they turned from their evil ways, God relented from his judgement. Most importantly, Jonah’s imperfect example of three days spent in the belly of the fish foreshadows the perfect sacrifice that was to come. Jonah (Letter USA) pdf. God, we thank You for being a good God and caring about all people. Jonah’s story would have turned their worldview upside down as they saw his righteousness be surpassed by the pagan sailors. The story of Jonah is one with unusual characters: an unwilling witness, a giant fish, and an evil nation. But he didn’t always support the things God supported. Use this children’s Sunday School lesson about Jonah to teach kids about the need to obey God and the richness of God’s forgiveness. And I have too…many times. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. Though Jonah couldn’t see it, throughout each step of his journey, he was a willing recipient of God’s small mercies. The story of Jonah is simple. Be transformed through the power and beauty of music in the Roman Catholic Liturgy. He was mad that they believed in God and that God didn’t destroy them. He didn’t let him run away, and he didn’t let him drown. Remind students about how Jonah disobeyed God and had to be thrown into the sea to make the storm stop. But Jonah didn’t want to go preach to the people of Nineveh. So now, Lord, please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord asked, “Are you right to be angry?”. International Standard Version The LORD God prepared a vine plant, and it grew over Jonah to shade his head and provide relief from his misery. Aren’t you glad God always gives us a second chance too? Lesson: King Ahaz's brings great suffering to Judah, Good Samaritan Bible (Luke 10:25-37) Lesson for Lent, Lesson: Strong and Humble (The Book of James – Part 4), Children’s Sermon: Independence Day and Jesus’ Revolution against Sin, Back to School (Sunday School Lesson) Armor of God, “Back to School ” Children’s Sermon (Jesus, the Sin Eraser), “Back to School” Object Lessons (School Supplies Backpack). Out wait there until the end, a giant fish to spit Jonah out on the evil of. 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