Bible Lesson on Jonah and the Whale for Kids
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Obedience & Mercy
Big Truth: When we run, God still reaches us with mercy.
Key Verse: “Salvation comes from the Lord.” — Jonah 2:9
Bible Story: Jonah 1–3
Pillar Focus: Voice (Hearing and obeying God’s call)
1) Introduction:
Sometimes we don’t want to do what God asks us to do. Oftentimes, it is because we don’t understand His plan, or it doesn’t look the way we thought it would, or it is fear or friends that are keeping us back. Jonah ran in the opposite direction—but God’s mercy found him. Today’s lesson is all about our obedience and the mercy of God that reaches out to us every single time!
2) Game: “Nineveh or Not?”
Call out places (Nineveh, Tarshish, Bedroom, Kitchen, Church, Nineveh, etc.). If you say “Nineveh,” kids run to a marked spot. Wrong place? Everyone laughs and resets. Talk about going God’s way.
3) Praise & Worship
Praise: “I’m Following Jesus,” “This Little Light of Mine”
Worship: “Reckless Love”
Encounter Time: Emphasize God’s kindness, drawing our hearts back. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance! Invite Kids to repent when they have been disobedient to God, and give space for the kindness of Jesus to wash over them.
4) Bible Story — Sermon with Props
Props:
Running shoe = running from God
Bible = God’s voice/command
Toy boat/paper ship = Jonah fleeing
Fan + water spray = storm
Toy figure in bowl = Jonah tossed overboard
Plush fish or cutout = swallowed
Heart sign “Mercy” = God’s compassion
Bible again = salvation and truth
5) Introduction: (Hold up a running shoe)
Have you ever wanted to run away from something? Maybe a chore, maybe homework, maybe a hard conversation. Sometimes we want to run from what we don’t like. But did you know people in the Bible ran away, too? Today, we’re going to talk about a prophet named Jonah—who ran from God Himself!
But here’s the good news: Even when Jonah ran, God didn’t let go. God’s mercy is bigger than our mistakes.
(Hold up a Bible)
Jonah was a prophet. That means God spoke to him clearly. One day, God gave Jonah a very specific assignment:
“Go to Nineveh. Tell them to turn from their wickedness, or judgment will come.”
Nineveh was a cruel and scary city. Instead of listening, Jonah did something surprising… (pull out a toy boat or a paper ship) Jonah ran the opposite direction! He boarded a ship going to Tarshish, as far away from Nineveh as possible.
Why? Because Jonah didn’t want mercy for Nineveh. He wanted them punished. Jonah thought he knew better than God.
Big truth: When we run, it’s usually because we don’t trust God’s plan.
(Bring out a fan and spray bottle with water mist)
As Jonah sailed away, God sent a mighty storm. The waves crashed, the wind howled, the sailors panicked. They cried out to their gods, but nothing worked. Finally, Jonah confessed:
“I serve the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. This storm is because of me—I ran from His command.”
The sailors were terrified. They didn’t want to hurt Jonah, but the storm grew worse. At last, they tossed Jonah into the sea… (drop a toy figure into a bowl of water) and instantly the storm stopped.
Here’s the mercy: Even when Jonah disobeyed, God spared the sailors and showed them His power.
(Hold up a big fish plushie or cutout)
Now, you’d think Jonah’s story ends here—sinking in the sea. But God had mercy. Instead of letting Jonah drown, God sent a huge fish to swallow him whole!
Inside the fish, Jonah spent three days and nights. Dark. Wet. Smelly. But in the belly of that fish, Jonah prayed.
(Read dramatically from Jonah 2)
“From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry.”
“Salvation comes from the Lord.”
This was Jonah’s turning point. He realized: You can’t outrun God’s mercy.
Finally, God commanded the fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land. (pretend to “spit” with silly sound effect—kids will laugh, but message sinks in)
Jonah now obeyed. He went to Nineveh and preached God’s message: “In 40 days, Nineveh will be destroyed if you don’t turn back to God!”
A miracle happened. The people of Nineveh—men, women, even the king—repented. They fasted, prayed, and begged God for forgiveness. And God, full of mercy, forgave them.
(Hold up a red heart sign with “MERCY” written on it)
This is the heart of God: He doesn’t give us what we deserve. He gives us mercy.
Even though Jonah struggled, he was still angry that God forgave them—God used his obedience to save a city.
Conclusion: The God Who Runs After Us
(Hold up the running shoe again)
The story of Jonah shows us this: Even when we run, God doesn’t give up. He runs after us with mercy.
When Jonah disobeyed, God sent a storm to bring him back.
When Jonah was sinking, God sent a fish to save him.
When Jonah finally obeyed, God poured out mercy on an entire city.
That’s the God we serve. His mercy is bigger than our mistakes. His voice calls us back, again and again.
Big Truth: When we run, God still reaches us with mercy.
(End by holding the Bible up high)
So kids, remember Jonah’s prayer: “Salvation comes from the Lord.” If God calls you—obey quickly, because His plans are full of mercy!
6) Holy Spirit Activation
Invite the Kids to ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anything He has asked them to do and they have not obeyed. Some kids might feel shame or guilt in this and be sensitive to what the Lord is doing at this moment. Pray with them and give any guilt or condemnation to Jesus, and ask what Jesus wants to give them in return. This is a beautiful moment of being set free and encountering God! Afterwards, pray together for courage to obey Jesus out of love!
7) Small Group Questions:
Why did Jonah run away?
How did God show mercy?
Who needs mercy from you this week?
What is the Key verse for this week?
8) Prayer (Repeat-after-me)
“God, thank you for showing us mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that your mercies are new every day! Thank you for our chances with you never running out or running dry. I love you, Jesus, and I want to obey you when you ask me to. Amen!”