Lesson from the book of jonah

Your children are going to love this classic story of rebellion. Its a daily task that will grow a little easier the more you do it. You can find a complete lesson with printable patterns on the resource room. The book of jonah offers valuable lessons in regards to this fear and shows us how we can become the prophets we are called to be.

Jonah 2, lessons from the belly of the fish in the first chapter of jonah we read about a wayward prophet. The book of the twelve prophets was originally on one parchment roll because of the brevity of the text, and together formed one book of the 24 books of hebrew scripture. This lesson plan was prepared for older elementary sunday school, but you modify it to use. Like most people raised in a churchgoing home, i have been aware of the story of jonah since childhood. The others are about what god taught the people through the prophet and jonah is more about what the prophet himself is being taught. Ask students to look through the book of jonah and identify all the things the lord prepared to help jonah learn the lessons he needed to learn. In his rebellion against god, jonah fled to tarshish. He knows the lord has been faithful to the israelites and to him as an individual. If we in the church hope to impact our world for good, we must declare the lifechanging gospel of jesus christ. For being only four chapters long, the book of jonah packs quite a punch. After jonah attempted to avoid preaching repentance to the. Book of jonah is a bible study specifically dealing with the old testament book of jonah. The book of jonah preface those of you who are familiar with the story of jonah and the whale know that jonah hopped a ship heading in the opposite direction when god commanded him to.

God taught jonah the lesson of obedience bible arena. Apr 28, 2017 interestingly, the book of jonah consists of only 4 chapters, 48 verses, and just over 1,300 words. Not stopping and chewing on what the scripture is trying to show us. Free sunday school lesson for children jonah and the whale. Apr 04, 2020 of the twelve minor prophets, the book that has been consistently pondered and examined with much fascination is the book of jonah. It is a well known story for obvious reasons, not least of which are a disobedient prophet, an obedient fish and a wicked nation that starts out bad, yet ends up good. In his word, jehovah has preserved the life stories of men and women of faith in order to teach us valuable lessons. For instance, jehovah had shown him mercy, saving him from drowning, holding back punishment for his rebellion, and giving him a. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. Let me share with you seven great lessons from the book of jonah. In closing jonah remains today a powerful lesson on compassion, on purpose, and obedience.

The book of jonah gives no indication of his prophetic activity in the land of israel. Jonah, whose name means dove, lived in gathhepher, located just north of nazareth, during the reign of jeroboam ii in the. This page offers some hints for teaching this important bible story to. The audience of the book of jonah was the people of israel and all future readers of the bible and, typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of israel. Im sure youre familiar with the story of jonah and the whale big fish. Jonah understands the lords character, his merciful history. The book of jonah cannot be accepted as history settle, b4.

Jonah learning from jehovahs mercy, and then answer the following questions. The book of jonah in the old testament is a short book with just four chapters. Deeper into jonah bible study lessons adult sunday school. Nov 20, 2012 the book of jonah is a fascinating book that tells of a man who learned a very valuable lesson in obedience to god.

I see the gospel clearly represented in this short read so i am titling the book the gospel according to jonah. Unfortunately, many christians thoughtlessly cast aspersions upon this important book in the canon of scripture without realizing that they are playing into the hands of the critics and innocently becoming the dupes of the skeptics. Joy in my attitude childrens lesson jonah ministryark. An introduction to the book of jonah an argument of the book of jonah selected bibliography of the book of jonah j. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. This summary of the book of jonah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of jonah.

I am presently writing a book on jonah and was surprised at someone else writing about this awesome old testament book. The book is named after its principal character, whose name means dove. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. As students study the book of jonah, they will learn valuable lessons that are relevant to their lives. Every lesson from gods unfolding story for older preschoolers includes a parents connect page to help parents or guardians reinforce the lesson at home during the week following the lesson. Object lesson on gods sovereign mercy there the lord god prepared a large plant to protect him from the sun. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish tanakh.

The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. Jonah was told to go and preach to ninevah because of their sins but jonah has rejected gods call. Jonah 1 the story of jonah 1 now the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai, saying, 2 arise, go to nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up. So that is jonaha very great comfort to all who fall flat at times when it comes to obedience and who run away from what they know god wants them to do. This page offers some hints for teaching this important bible story to children. Is there some area of your life in which you are defying god, and rationalizing it. Introduction jonah is the book of the bible which perhaps has been criticized more than any other. Of course the lord watched him do this and created a great storm in the mediterranean sea as jonah was trying to cross. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. The primary purpose of the book of jonah is to engage readers in theological reflection on the compas sionate character of god, and in selfreflection on the degree to which their own character reflects this compassion, to the end that they become vehicles of this compassion in the world that god has made and so deeply cares about. The book of jonah, therefore, is a statement made through the wonderful medium of the story of jonah of gods compassion even of a pagan people like the ninevites who were enemies of the jews. Instead of rejoicing, jonah became upset because of gods compassion. Print out the cards onto card stock, cut them apart, and send one home with each child.

In this sharefaithkids sunday school lesson, we focus on jonah, nineveh and the big fish. It is an important book to both religious traditions christianity and jewish. Another important lesson taught in the book of jonah is gods love for gentiles. God never gives up on jonah and the people of nineveh because he is slow to anger, loving and compassionate. Jonah, nineveh and the big fish book of jonah sunday. He went westward in a ship that would take him as far as. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. What did you learn from the book of jonahwatch the video family worship. These lessons are designed to help us understand the book of jonah by asking some basic questions. This quote from authors william lasor, david hubbard and frederic bush is important in our understanding of the book of jonah. Jul 12, 2018 the story of jonah a lesson in courage and mercy. This is attributed to its mythical imagery, which illustrates the prophets journey to the land of nineveh.

Is this a real whale of a tale or a big fish story. Book of jonah lesson 1 welcome to the study of the book of jonah. For it begins with a commission to jonah and with jonah s refusal to heed it, in other words, the book of jonah begins with a formal expression of gods sovereign will and with a mans determined opposition. The book of jonah vividly demonstrates the meaning of repentance. The overly zealous, patriotic prophet did not want to see the gentile enemy of israel delivered from gods judgment.

T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. However, had he allowed jehovahs discipline to work a thorough change in him. Despite knowing his mission from god, jonah allowed prejudice and fear to control his actions. It is one of trei asar the twelve prophets in the tanakh, and in christian tradition as oi dodeka prophetai or ton dodekapropheton, greek for the twelve prophets. As a minister who teaches the bible, however, i have gone through several stages of puzzlement and wonder at this short book. The book of jonah is different from other prophetic books, as many have noted. In this sermon on jonah we can see that there are many other great lessons in the book of jonah, but lets consider these that we have studied. Professor settle listed several alleged inaccuracies contained in the book. Mary she drew conclusions in her heart joseph he protected, he provided, he persevered. The book ends with jonah brooding over nineveh, angry with god for the grace he gave to the people jonah so despises. I have appreciated our recent study in the book of jonah, both in our adult bible fellowships as well as in. While there are many important lessons we can learn from this book, the truth that has impacted me the most in recent days is the principle that gods plans cannot be thwarted. If you have ten or fifteen minutes, stop and read it through. The number of themes is a challenge for the interpreter.

Jan 02, 2020 jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19. However, it is much easier to obey god and follow him than it is to go. In this sermon by pastor jeremy martin we look at the deeper lesson we find in the book of jonah, which is that god loves his enemies, and we need to love ours as well. Jonah runs from god this lesson is based on the the first chapter of the book of jonah. God sent jonah to tell nineveh to repent of their sins. The joy in my attitude childrens lesson uses craft, object lessons, games and songs to teach how our attitude can affect others. Invite students to look for principles as they study the book of jonah that can help them choose to love and forgive others. Jesus did not consider the book of jonah to be a fable or myth. He decides to quit being gods prophet and takes passage to tarshish rather than going to ninevah. The book of jonah showcases gods concern for everyone in the world.

Jonah and the whalethe book of jonah sunday school lesson. Here is an outline of what i taught, it will need some adaptation to fit in your ministry. Jonah and the whalethe book of jonah sunday school. The book of jonah the main theme of the book of jonah is gods sovereignty over all people and his divine plan to extend his gift of mercy and salvation beyond israel to include the gentile nations. One of the great lessons of jonah s failure and forgiveness is that god can continue to use those who return to him. The life of jonah teaches us that what god desires is not always what we want. Jonah he learned a lesson in mercy esther she stood up for gods people esther she acted wisely, bravely, and selflessly mary look. Just like jonah, many spiritual leaders received a second chance to do what god called him to do. Help kids of all ages learn about jonah with our printable flip book.

Prophet jonah disobeyed god and attempted to escape, but god caught him redhandedly. I recently finished teaching through the book of jonah in our childrens church. It is a well known story for obvious reasons, not least of which are a disobedient prophet, an obedient fish and a wicked nation that starts out. The story of jonah a lesson in courage and mercy youtube. A firm principle in biblical study is that, even in a clearly historical passage, the theological message is more important than historical details. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for tarshish to flee from the lord. Looking at the deeper lesson contained in the book of jonah. Jonah was already a successful prophet when the events of this book. This sermon deals with how the message of repentance can change hearts. Lessons from the book of jonah in his word, jehovah has preserved the life stories of men and women of faith in order to teach us valuable lessons. The following jonah sunday school lesson for children is a sample lesson.

The first 3 verses of jonah s book summarize very well most of the whole story. This lesson is based on the the first chapter of the book of jonah. I began to see some big themes in jonah that i had missed before. With the digital file we provide, you are welcome to print out as many flip books as you need for you own family or church use. Remember that god wants you to be open and honest with him. Just print, color, cut, punch holes and then attach with a book ring or string. Printable patterns available to members on the resource room. The book of jonah emphasizes that god in heaven, hath made the sea and the dry land. The book of jonah is about god and how great his heart is toward prodigal sons and daughters who run away from him. The book is a record about a man of god who was chosen as gods instrument in proclaiming gods message to the assyrians, particularly to the idolatrous pagans of nineveh. Jonah learned a lesson in mercy at nineveh true faith. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Beautifully balanced, deep and profound jonahs adventure opens a window into the heart of god.

Jonah 2, lessons from the belly of the fish west palm. He thought he could escape on a boat bound for tarshish, which was about a thousand miles in the wrong direction. Jonah sulking outside the city by way of answer, jonah passed through nineveh and sat on the east side of the city to see what would become of it. Learn the lessons jonah did as you consider what it means to obey. It is incredible that one could be alive for three days in a fishs belly. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a. Jonahs story is told in the short just 48 verses but powerful book of jonah. Jonahs obedience to god, albeit reluctant, brought about great results, results that only god could bring. This old testament book describes at least part of the ministry of a prophet called jonah, the only prophet who attempted to run away from god. Witness god giving a reluctant prophet and the people of nineveh a second chance. This is the jonah and the fish parents connect page ot11l4pc. It merely begins with an instruction from god to go to nineveh and prophesy to its inhabitants. Interestingly enough, this is the point at which the book starts.

Jonah wasted his precious money on the wrong voyage. Jonah is the central character in the book of jonah, in which god commands him to go to the city of nineveh to prophesy against it for their great wickedness is come up before me, but jonah instead attempts to flee from the presence of the lord by going to jaffa and sailing to tarshish. The book of jonah is short and a lot of time we can read through it quickly. Trey garner feb 28, 20 go to the great city of nineveh and proclaim to it the message i give you jonah 3. These lessons are designed to help us understand the book of jonah by asking some basic questions read more. It focuses on how a persons disobedience to god causes difficulty in the lives of others. Jonahs reluctance to bring that message mirrors the israelites equally stubborn disinterest in the relation of the assyrians to god. The twelve include hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah, and malachi. In his article, he attacked the book of jonah by stating. Despite knowing his mission from god, jonah allowed prejudice and fear to. Jonah 1 kjv now the word of the lord came unto bible gateway. Throughout this book we are reminded that god is a god of second chances and mercy.

Tom constables expository notes on jonah this is also available in the net. Jonah flees from the lords call to preach in nineveh. Feb 28, 20 i have appreciated our recent study in the book of jonah, both in our adult bible fellowships as well as in our childrens sunday school classes. Ask students to think of one or more individuals whom they struggle to love or forgive. A lesson from jonah that we can all learn new life. He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind elisha in his place in the old testament. Jonah quickly realized who had sent the storm and why. Shop reflection 7 great lessons from the book of jonah. Jonahs story is also an object lesson to those who are possessed of a short fuse and those who are at times guilty of a superior attitude to the spiritually ignorant or immature. But in the end, he learned a valuable lesson about the lords mercy and forgiveness, which extends beyond jonah and israel to all people who repent and believe. Listen to chuck swindoll s overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Sep 29, 2016 this kids bible video centers on the timeless story of jonah and the whale, while bringing to the book of daniel from the bible.