Jonah Prays Inside the Fish • Lesson 11 Bible Point God

147Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Bible Point God forgives us when we pray to him.

Jonah Prays Inside the Fish • Lesson 11

Bible Verse“The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’’ (Colossians 3:13b).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n learn that God hears their prayers, n understand how important it is to talk to God, n learn that God forgives us when we ask, and n help Pockets understand that we can pray anywhere.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Jonah prays inside the fish.

Sometimes true beauty can come even from the ugliest circumstances. Deep in the dark, wet, and no doubt smelly stomach of a huge fish, Jonah composed the prayer we read in today’s passage. It is beautiful Hebrew poetry, carefully structured and filled with powerful language.

Some of Jonah’s metaphors vividly capture the sheer fright he felt after being tossed into the dark, storm-driven sea. As Jonah sunk beneath the waves, how frightened he must have been! In his mind, he knew he was as good as dead. Now on the verge of death, Jonah longed for God’s presence once again. Jonah knew that God could hear his prayer and that he could save him from death.

God did forgive and save Jonah that day. And Jonah learned a very important lesson: There is no place, not even the dark depths of the storm-tossed sea, where God is not present to hear and help.

Prayer• Read Psalm 139:7-12.• How do you feel knowing God is always with you?• Pray: Lord, thank you for your constant presence. Help me convey the peace your presence brings to others as I…

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies

columns to determine what you’ll need.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

Jonah 2:1-10

Lesson 11

This Lesson at a Glance

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6148

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

WelcomeTime

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Family Name Tags” (p. 23), crayons, markers, tape or safety pins

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Option 1: Feed the Fish—Play a fun game to feed the tunnel fish they made.

Tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Option 2: Praying Places—Play a guessing game to think about different places they can pray.

Option 3: Prayer Spyglasses—Make spyglasses to look for different places to pray.

Cardboard paper-towel tubes, blue cellophane, scissors, tape

Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Hide under a blanket to see how Jonah might have felt inside the fish.

Blanket

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Sit squished “inside” a fish as they hear today’s story.

Bible, masking tape, CD player

Do the Bible Story—Pray while “hiccuping” Jonah out of the fish’s mouth; then sing a song.

Bible, CD player, tape, photocopy of the “Jonah” figures (p. 158), scissors, tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Closing Pray Today!—Help Pockets understand that we can pray anywhere.

Private Prayer—Have private prayer time inside the tunnel fish.

Tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Bible Skills

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

Jonah Prays Inside the Fish


Welcome Timen Welcome!SupplieS: “Family Name Tags’’ (p. 23), crayons, markers, tape or safety pins• Bend down to make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Ask

questions such as “Did anyone you know cause trouble last week?’’ and “Did you forgive that person?’’

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God forgives us when we pray to him.• Hand out the “Family’’ name tags children made in Lesson 1, and help them attach

the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if some of the children weren’t in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable patterns.

• Direct the children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among children to offer help as needed and direct children’s conversation

toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “When do you pray?’’ or “What do you do when you’re sorry for something you’ve done?’’

n Option 1: Feed the FishSupplieS: tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Have children line up in front of the tunnel fish you made last week. Tell children they’ll be “feeding’’ the fish by tossing the pretend rock into the fish’s mouth. The first child in line will be the Leader and will determine how to toss the pretend rock, such as underhand, over the shoulder, or under a leg. Each child will toss the pretend rock

following the Leader’s method and then retrieve the rock for the next child. Then let a different child be the Leader and tell a new way to toss the pretend rock. Make sure every child has a chance to be the Leader. Ask questions such as “Who sent the fish to swallow Jonah?’’ and “Why did God send the fish?’’ Tell children that today’s Bible story is about how Jonah learned that God forgives us when we pray to him. Return the pretend rock to the Learning Lab.

It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point again and again will help the children remember it and apply it to their lives.

Lesson 11


n Option 2: praying placesSupplieS: none

Invite children to play a guessing game about places to pray. Have children sit in a circle. Choose one child to silently think of a place we can pray. That child will say, “I’m thinking of a place to pray.’’ The other children in the circle will try to guess the place by asking questions that can only be answered by saying “yes’’ or “no.’’ Let children take turns thinking of praying places to guess. Encourage them to think of the many different places we can pray, such as in church, in bed, at school, or on the bus. Tell children that today they’ll learn how God heard Jonah pray—even when Jonah was in the belly of a fish! Jonah prayed for forgiveness, and God heard him. Jonah learned that God forgives us when we pray to him.

n Option 3: prayer SpyglassesSupplieS: cardboard paper-towel tubes, blue cellophane, scissors, tape

Before class, collect several empty cardboard paper-towel tubes. Cut a 3-inch length of tube for each child in your class. Cut blue cellophane into 3x3-inch squares, one for each child. Set out cardboard tubes, tape, and cellophane squares. Invite children to make Prayer Spyglasses. Help them each tape a cellophane square over one end of the tube. Invite children to look around the room through their spyglasses, thinking of different places to pray. Talk about how Jonah prayed, even from inside a fish. And when Jonah prayed, God listened. Jonah learned that God forgives us when we pray to him.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n pick up Our ToysSupplieS: CD player

Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

If you want to include the names of all the children in the class, sing the song without the CD, and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys,And put them all away.

There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys,Putting them all away.

(Repeat.)

track 2



Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSupplieS: blanket

Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Practice this signal a few times. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Bring in a large enough blanket to cover yourself and all the children in your class as you sit in a group. Say: Let’s play Be in the Belly! We’ll sit together on the floor, and I’ll cover us with this blanket. When everyone is covered, ask:

• What’s it like under here? (Dark; hot; fun.)• Do you think you’d like to sit under here for three days? (No.)Say: Even though I can’t see all of you under the blanket, I can still hear

you. Just like when Jonah was in the fish, God could still hear him. When Jonah prayed, God answered. Remove the blanket.

Ask: • How was being under the blanket a little like being inside the fish? (It was dark; it was a little scary; I didn’t know what was going to happen.)

• How was it different? (This was just pretend; it wasn’t smelly; we weren’t alone.)Say: When we were under the blanket, we weren’t alone—we were all

together. Jonah was inside the fish by himself, but he wasn’t alone either. God was with Jonah and heard him when he prayed. Let’s get ready for our Bible Story Time. That would be a good place for us to pray, and we can find out more about Jonah, too.

n Bible Song and prayer TimeSupplieS: Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper in 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the great fish stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Jonah 2:1-10 in the Bible you’ll be using. Return the great fish stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab.

Have children sit in a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out the surprise cards. Don’t look inside your card until the song is over.

Lead children in singing “Read God’s Book’’ (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “The Muffin Man.’’ As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

track 3 construction paper in 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the cards. Bookmark Return the

Lesson 11


Now it’s time to read God’s book,Read God’s book, read God’s book.Now it’s time to read God’s book.Let’s hear a Bible story.(Repeat 3x.)

After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has the great fish stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

Identify the Bible person, and then have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show the children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week we’ll have only one Bible person, but each of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that God forgives us when we pray to him.

Let’s say a special prayer now and ask God to teach us that he forgives us when we pray. My helper will pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, thank you for listening when we pray.’’

Choose a child to pass around the basket or box. When your helper has collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today that you forgive us when we pray to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySupplieS: Bible, masking tape, CD player

Before this activity, use masking tape to make a fish shape or circle on the floor. Make the shape big enough so all the children in your class can sit “squished’’ inside. Set out the first two posters from the Jonah poster pack.

Ask: • Who can tell me where we left Jonah last time? (Inside the fish; running away from God.)

Say: Today we’ll find out what Jonah did inside the fish. Let’s sit on the floor around our posters and get ready for today’s story.

Have children help you unfold the posters to find the picture of Jonah inside the fish. Review the story as you do so.

Ask: • Why was Jonah running away from God? (He didn’t want to go to Nineveh; he didn’t want to obey God.)

Say: Pretend you’re Jonah running away. Take big, long giant steps and go around the room as fast as you can. Then have children sit down again around the posters. Whew! Running away is hard work!

Ask: • What happened to Jonah’s boat? (It got caught in a storm; it was tossed up and down on the waves; God didn’t let it sink.)

• Why did God send the storm? (Because Jonah disobeyed; to show Jonah God knew where Jonah was; so Jonah would obey.)

Say: Stand up and pretend you’re being blown about by the wind of a giant storm. Then have children sit down, and ask:

track 18



• How did Jonah wind up in the belly of a fish? (God sent a big storm; the sailors threw Jonah overboard to stop the storm.)

Say: Hold your nose with one hand, say “P-U!’’ and give each other high fives with the other hand. Then ask:

• Why did God send the fish to swallow Jonah? (To save him; to keep him from drowning.)

Say: You all did a great job of remembering. As we listen to our story today, I want you to sit squished in the fish’s tummy. Have children sit within the tape outline on the floor. It’s kind of a tight fit and may not be very comfortable. But that’s how Jonah must have felt, too. You know, it must have smelled pretty bad inside that fish. Why don’t you hold your nose as you listen to the story? Listen for the part where Jonah starts praying. When you hear how Jonah prayed inside the fish, stop holding your nose and make praying hands. Play the “Jonah’s Adventure, Part 3’’ segment (track 18) on the CD. Unfold the third poster to show the picture of Jonah being spit out on the sand when you hear the chime.

Stop the CD at the end of the segment. Say: That was great! You really listened well. Jonah must have been happy to get out of that fish. Pretend you’re being spit out of your fish onto dry land. Encourage children to jump outside the tape outline and pretend to lie on the shore breathing fresh air again. Then ask them to sit around the posters.

When the sailors tossed Jonah overboard, he thought he was going to drown! But in the water he remembered to pray, and God sent the fish to save him. All of a sudden, Jonah found himself in a fish belly.

Ask: • Why do you think God let Jonah spend three whole days inside the fish? (To teach him a lesson; to make him sorry; to remind him to obey God.)

• What do you suppose Jonah said to God? (He said he was sorry; he thanked God for saving him; he asked God to let him out.)

• What do you say to God when you’re sorry for something you’ve done? (I’m sorry; forgive me; I won’t do it again.)

Say: When we do something wrong, it’s like we’re turning our backs away from God. Have children turn their backs away from you as you continue to talk. It’s hard to be friends with someone if your backs are turned! That’s why God gave us Jesus, who took the punishment for the wrong things we do. Because of Jesus, we can turn around (have children face you again) and have a friendship with Jesus!

Say: Jonah thanked God for saving his life and said he was sorry he had disobeyed. He asked God to forgive him, and God did. Just as God forgave Jonah, God forgives us when we pray to him. When God forgave Jonah, he told the fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land. Our posters say the fish may have hiccupped Jonah out onto dry land. Let’s play a fun game where we can “hiccup’’ Jonah out of the fish’s mouth.

Bring in a can of tuna fish or sardines. Make sure all the children are close to you when you open the can so they can catch a whiff of the fishy smell. Talk about what it must have smelled like as Jonah was inside the fish for three days!

Lesson 11


n Do the Bible StorySupplieS: Bible, CD player, tape, photocopy of the “Jonah’’ figures (p. 158), scissors, tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Before children arrive, photocopy the “Jonah’’ figures and cut out three of the figures. Tape one figure to each of the rockets. Gather the children to the side of the tunnel fish.

Say: Today we’ve been talking about different places to pray. We learned that Jonah even prayed in the belly of a fish. We’ll pretend to be Jonah in the fish. We’ll pray Jonah’s prayer together: “Lord, when you let me out, I’ll do what you think best.” Then we’ll “hiccup’’

Jonah out of the fish’s belly.Demonstrate how to use the launcher to pop one of the rockets with Jonah. Have

children line up to take turns crawling inside the tunnel fish with the launcher and a pop rocket. As each child sits inside the fish, have everyone repeat Jonah’s prayer. Then the child will pop Jonah out of the fish’s mouth. Be sure each child has a turn, and then put the launcher and pop rockets away.

Say: That was fun! God hears us when we pray, and God forgives us when we pray to him. Open your Bible to Colossians 3:13b and show children the words. Our Bible verse says, “The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.’’ This means that since God forgives us, we need to forgive others. It’s hard to do this without God’s help. We can pray to God and ask him to help us forgive others. Let’s sing a song to remind us to always pray to God. Sing “I’ll Pray’’ (track 19) with the CD to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.’’

God wants me to always pray,No matter what the people say.God will answer all my cares,When I offer him my prayers.

Yes, God, I’ll pray.Yes, God, I’ll pray.Yes, God, I’ll pray.I’ll pray to only you.

(Repeat.)

Say: That was a good song about praying. You know, I wonder if Pockets remembers to pray. Let’s ask her. Encourage children to call Pockets.

Closingn pray Today!SupplieS: none

Have the children sit in a circle. Take out Pockets the Kangaroo, and go through the following script. When you finish the script, put Pockets out of sight.

track 19Bible Skills



Pockets: (Bouncing and bopping around) Hi, everyone! How are you today? It’s great to see you!

Teacher: Good morning, Pockets. My, you seem happy today.

Pockets: (Hugging herself ) Ooh, I AM happy. I really, really am.

Teacher: That’s wonderful, Pockets. Do you want to share with us why you’re so happy?

Pockets: Sure! I got forgiven today! I had to wait all week, but I finally got forgiven!

Teacher: What do you mean, Pockets? Why did you have to wait?

Pockets: (Looking down) Well, I did something bad last Monday. I broke my sister’s doll and hid it in the closet. I told her I was sorry that night, but I had to wait until church today to ask God to forgive me. (Acting happy) And now he did.

Teacher: Pockets, you didn’t have to wait all week. You could have prayed for forgiveness right away.

Pockets: Are you sure? I thought I could only pray in church.

Teacher: No. In fact, today we heard how Jonah prayed in a very strange place. Class, why don’t you tell Pockets about Jonah praying for forgiveness?

(Encourage children to tell about Jonah praying in the fish and how God forgave him.)

Pockets: Wow! Jonah prayed in the belly of a fish?

Teacher: Yes. We can pray for forgiveness anytime, anywhere.

Pockets: And God still hears us? And the prayers still count?

Teacher: Class, what do you think? What are some places we can pray? (Let children respond.)

Pockets: Well! I wasted all week feeling bad! I could have been forgiven on Monday! I’ll remember that no matter when or where, God forgives us when we pray to him. I’m going to go home and make sure my parents know about this. ’Bye, and thanks for telling me.

(Have children say goodbye to Pockets.)Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. HandsOnBible.com

Lesson 11


n private prayerSupplieS: tunnel fish made in Lesson 10

Have the class stand and hold hands around the tunnel fish. Say: We’re each going to take turns praying inside our big fish. Crawl in the front of the fish and say something like, “Dear God, thank you for listening when I pray.’’ After you pray, come out the back and let the next person go in. The rest of us will stand quietly around the fish. I’ll pray first.

Spend only a moment inside the fish. Then stand near the back of the fish and move the circle forward so the next person in line is directly in front of the fish. When everyone has had a turn, close with a group prayer.

Pray: Dear God, thank you for teaching us that you forgive us when we pray to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.

Want even more activity ideas for this lesson? Check out HandsOnBible.com/tips.



n lively learning: Rock BopHave children stand in a circle. Toss the pretend rock gently in the air and have the

children try to keep it in the air by bopping it to one another. Tell children to pretend their feet are cemented to the floor so they can’t move. If the rock falls to the ground, the person it lands closest to must name a place he or she can pray. Then that person can bop the rock to start the game again. Remind children that God forgives us when we pray to him.

n Make to Take: Jonah praysBefore class, cut sheets of transparency film into quarters. You’ll need one

quarter sheet for each child in your class. Make photocopies of the “Jonah’’ handout from page 158 and the “Big Fish’’ handout from page 159. You’ll need one Jonah and one fish for each child. Set out crayons, permanent markers, and tape. Encourage children to color and cut out the Jonah and fish pictures. Show children how to sandwich the transparency film between the fish and Jonah pictures (fish on top, then film, then Jonah.) Secure the layers on top with tape.

Demonstrate how to use a permanent marker to draw ribs on the transparency to look like Jonah’s in “jail’’ in the fish’s tummy. When the fish and transparency layers are lifted, Jonah is “free.’’ Talk about how Jonah prayed for forgiveness and God set him free. Tell children Jonah learned that God forgives us when we pray to him.

n Treat to eat: Fish Rib CrackersHave children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Set out graham

crackers, frosting, string licorice, plastic knives, and scissors. Form three groups: the Cracker Snappers, the Super Spreaders, and the Careful Cutters. The Cracker Snappers will gently snap the graham crackers in half. The Super Spreaders will use plastic knives to spread frosting on the crackers. The Careful Cutters will use scissors to cut short lengths of licorice and place them on the crackers to look like fish ribs. As children enjoy their snacks, discuss how Jonah prayed for forgiveness while he was inside the fish. Remind them that God forgives us when we pray to him.

n Story picture: Something’s Fishy!Hand each child a photocopy of the “Today I Learned…’’ handout. Set out markers or crayons, glue sticks,

flat toothpicks, and scraps of paper. Allow children to color their pictures. Have them glue the toothpicks onto the fish to look like scales. Help them create a flap over Jonah.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

158

PatternsPhotocopy and cut out loosely.

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. HandsOnBible.com

JonahPhotocopy the handout. Cut out the figures of Jonah.

159

Big FishPhotocopy the handout. Cut out the fish picture.


160

God forgives us when we pray to him.


Verse to learn“The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’’ (Colossians 3:13b).

Ask Me…l What do you think it was like to be inside a fish for three

days?

l When do you like to pray?

l When is a time God answered our prayers?

Family Funl Have a Pick-a-Prayer Party. Put all family members’ names

in a hat. Have each person draw out a name and pray especially for that person for the rest of the week. Have everyone talk to the person he or she is praying for to find out about that person’s needs or concerns.

l Visit a pet shop or aquarium and guess how big Jonah’s fish must have been. Talk about how God sent the fish at that special moment to save Jonah’s life. Discuss how God is in control of all of nature.

Today your child learned that God forgives us when we pray to him. Children learned that God forgave Jonah when he prayed inside the fish. They discussed why it’s important to talk to God in prayer.

Lesson 11

Jonah prays inside the Fish (Jonah 2:1-10)

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Jonah Prays Inside the Fish • Lesson 11 Bible Point God