Kings and Prophets · Lesson 12
Jonah Runs from God
Jonah 1:1-17; Jonah 2:1-10; Jonah 3:1-10; Jonah 4:1-11 Old Testament PrincipleCompassion
Jonah ran from God's call to Nineveh, but God chased him, rescued him with a big fish, and showed His great compassion to a whole city that turned from evil.
God cares for hurting and lost people, even people we find hard to love, and He helps us care for them too.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”
Jonah 4:2 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
Jesus said that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the fish, He would be three days and nights in the earth, and then rise. Jonah ran from God's mercy for his enemies; Jesus brought God's mercy to His enemies. "Something greater than Jonah is here."
Matthew 12:39-41; Luke 11:29-32; Mark 4:35-41
The Big Story · Redemption
God's compassion was never only for Israel. He sent Jonah to Nineveh to show that His mercy reaches every nation, pointing to Jesus, who died and rose so people from every nation could turn back to God.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 47-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Wrong way!
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Jonah's shade plant
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Swallowed!
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God loves everyone.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Inside the fish, Color the big fish
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
God chased Jonah when he ran away and showed mercy to the people of Nineveh. God cares about everyone, and I can too.
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever not wanted to do something your mom or dad asked?" Let kids share. Say, "Today a prophet doesn't want to do what God asks. So he runs, really far!"
Bible story 6 min
God told Jonah, "Go to Nineveh. Tell the people to stop doing evil." But Jonah did not want to go. The people there were his enemies. So Jonah got on a ship going the other way!
God sent a big storm. The waves were huge! The sailors were scared. But Jonah was asleep! The boss of the ship woke him up. Jonah said, "I ran from God. Throw me in the sea. Then it will be calm."
The sailors threw Jonah in. The sea got calm. Then God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. He was inside the fish for three days and three nights!
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Storm at sea 8 min
You’ll need: A blue sheet or blanket, A spray bottle of water
- Kids hold the edges of the blue sheet and make gentle waves, then big storm waves.
- When you shout "Jonah's in the sea!", everyone makes the sheet calm and still.
- Ask, "Who made the storm, and who made it calm?"
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3rd – 4th grade
God pursued Jonah when he ran and showed mercy to wicked Nineveh, because God's compassion reaches people we don't think deserve it.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Who received mercy?, Paper plate fish
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
The book of Jonah shows a God whose compassion chases runaways and reaches enemies, and it points to Jesus, the greater Jonah who gave His life for His enemies.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Greater than Jonah, Answer God's question
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in