Scripture: Book of Jonah
Memory
Verse: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and
gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm
86:15 NSRV
Offering: Haven House which
provides a multitude of programs that have helped thousands of young people and
their families overcome problems and become productive members of the
community.
Concepts:
Objectives:
1.
Students
will learn from the Bible that it is easier to obey than to disobey.
2.
God
has a plan and his plan always works out the way he intends – we must learn to
be patient.
3.
Learn
more about forgiveness and how important it is for all of us to forgive and/or
ask for forgiveness.
4.
Make
a “forgiveness” bracelet.
Procedure:
Welcome and
Introductions:
1. Greet the children
and introduce yourself. Wear your nametag. Make sure the children are
wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd to supply a temporary badge.
Remember you are interacting with a different group of students each week that
may not know you.
2. Explain that today’s
lesson on Jonah’s life will focus on how we need to follow his lessons and
learn to ask for forgiveness.
3.
Have them to stand and recite the memory verse – you may want to have it
posted on the wall for the ones who have not memorized it yet. (If you
want to reward the children who have memorized it please provide a sticker or
treat.)
4.
Lead the children in an opening prayer.
Scripture/Bible
Story:
Read Jonah’s Prayer Jonah 2: 1-10 – You can
read or have the children volunteer to read verses.
Application:
Reflection
Time:
Pass out the journal pages. If you need guiding questions there are a few
provided.
Younger children -
How would you react if someone took your favorite toy? How would you react if you heard a
neighborhood friend use language that is not appropriate in your house? How do you ask for forgiveness?
Older children – What would you do if someone cheated
off of your paper at school? How would
you react to someone if they hit you on the school bus? How did you forgive a friend recently?
At 10:45 ask the
students to close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.
Closing:
Prayer: Suggestion for the closing prayer.
Dear God, we know that each day we do wrong.
Please forgive us. Help us to pay
attention to what is right and to listen to others who want to help us. We thank you for loving us and forgiving us
when we ask. Amen.
Teacher
preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2.
Review the story and practice so you are familiar with the story and be a
super storyteller.
3.
Create a poster containing the memory verse.
4.
Make the parts of the Jonah stop light.
5.
Create the 10 inch length yarn bracelets for the children using the supplies
provided.
6.
Prepare
an opening prayer for your lesson.
Supply
List
Ø
Journal
Pages
Ø
Yarn
and beads
Ø
Stop
light components: black poster board, red, yellow and green poster board circles.
Ø
Memory
Verse posted
References
Lori Houck, Kirk
Faith Quest Bible Study Leader
Kids –Tell ‘em Bible
Stories – Susan
Lingo Standard Publishing
Jonah’s Stoplight
God
spoke to Jonah. God told Jonah to got
the city of
There
was Jonah alone in the belly of a fish. He was afraid. He knew he was going to die. [Stop and add the RED light to the stop sign and have
each child to add a red bead to their yarn.] Jonah knew he had done something wrong and he knew he had disobeyed
God. He felt sorry for himself. Jonah knew he had to ask God for help and
forgiveness. He prayed to God to forgive
him. [Stop and add the YELLOW light and have
the children to add a yellow bead to the yarn bracelet.] Jonah prayed for three days and
nights. Even though Jonah thought he was
alone in this huge fish, God was with him and heard his prayers. God forgave Jonah. God made this fish spit Jonah up on
shore. When Jonah’s feet hit the sand he
jumped up and ran to
[Stop and add the GREEN light to the stoplight and
the children should add a green bead to the yarn bracelet.] Jonah learned that when we need forgiveness
we first must stop and admit we have made a mistake and/or done something wrong.
[Point to the red light.] Once we admit we are wrong, we yield to God
and or pause for a time of prayer to ask forgiveness. [Point to the yellow light.] And
finally, we go and do what we know is right and what God wants us to do! [Point
to the green light.]
Have the children to take a few more
beads and add them to their bracelet, creating their own design. You may need the Shepard’s to assist you as
you assist the children and help tie the bracelets on their arm.
Once all the bracelets
are completed ask:
How
did Jonah ask for God’s forgiveness?
What
did Jonah do after God forgave him?
What
do we need to do besides say “I’m sorry” to God?
How
does God’s forgiveness show his love for us?
Then
distribute the journal pages.