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📖

Jonah Says 'No!'

Jonah Runs Away

Day 162of 180
Week 33of 36
15Minutes
← Day 161Day 162 of 180Day 163 →
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that Jonah did not want to obey God

2

Learn that running away from God's instructions is wrong

3

Develop a heart of obedience

📖 Scripture Connection

Jonah 1:3

“But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh, and went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh.”

— Jonah 1:3 (WEB)

Shows Jonah's attempt to run away from God's command

📦 Materials Needed

  • BibleMouse Resource Guide
  • World English Bible
  • Boat craft materials
  • Running shoes
  • Map
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll learn about a man named Jonah who tried to run away from God!

💭 Review Question: What did God ask Jonah to do yesterday?
2Teaching (5 min)

Jonah heard God's instructions, but he didn't want to listen. Instead of going to Nineveh, he got on a big boat to go far away!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • God wanted Jonah to tell people about Him
  • Jonah was scared and didn't want to go
  • Jonah tried to run away from God
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can we really run away from God?
  • What should Jonah have done?
3Activity: Jonah's Running Game (6 min)
discussion

Pretend to be Jonah running away from God's instructions

📝 Instructions:
  1. Put on running shoes
  2. Pretend to run on a 'boat'
  3. Listen to the BibleMouse story of Jonah
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Slow walking instead of running

Challenge: Act out the entire boat journey

4Closing (3 min)

Review Jonah's choice to run away

📝 Review Questions:
  • Did Jonah make a good choice?
  • Who is always with us?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to listen and obey You

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about a big storm that came because of Jonah's choice!

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 139:7

“God is everywhere!”

— Psalm 139:7 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Play 'Hide and Seek God' - show children that just like in hide and seek, God is always present

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Jonah's story teaches about God's patience and the consequences of disobedience

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language
  • Engage with physical movements
  • Emphasize God's love
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may not understand the concept of spiritual disobedience

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's understanding of listening and obeying

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a boat craft from the BibleMouse Printables Library
  • Sing a BibleMouse song about obedience

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 163 →Back to Bible