📖

Inside the Fish

A Big Fish Swallows Jonah

Day 167of 180
Week 34of 36
15Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that God was with Jonah even inside the big fish

2

Recognize that God can protect us anywhere

3

Begin to learn that God loves us even when we make mistakes

Jonah 1:17

Yahweh prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 (WEB)

God was in control of the big fish and was taking care of Jonah

📦 Materials Needed

  • Blue blanket or sheet
  • Soft pillow
  • Stuffed animal fish (optional)
  • BibleMouse Jonah figure
  • World English Bible

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we're going to learn about Jonah's big adventure inside a fish!

💭 Review Question: What happened to Jonah yesterday?
2Teaching (5 min)

Jonah tried to run away from God, but God sent a big fish to help him!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • God loves Jonah
  • The fish was very big
  • Jonah was inside the fish for three whole days
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you imagine being inside a big fish?
  • Do you think Jonah was scared?
3Activity: Inside the Fish Adventure (6 min)
sensory

Create a cozy 'fish belly' with a blue blanket where child can experience being 'inside' like Jonah

📝 Instructions:
  1. Spread blue blanket on floor
  2. Help child crawl 'inside'
  3. Talk about how God was with Jonah
  4. Use BibleMouse Jonah figure to tell the story
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Just cuddle under blanket and listen to story

Challenge: Act out Jonah's adventure with dramatic movements

4Closing (3 min)

Review the big fish story

📝 Review Questions:
  • Who was inside the big fish?
  • Was God with Jonah?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You that You are always with us, even when we're scared!

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn how Jonah prayed to God inside the fish!

Psalm 139:7

God is everywhere!

Psalm 139:7 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Play 'Hide and Seek God' - have child hide, then remind them God is always with them

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson introduces God's constant presence and care

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, reassuring tone
  • Make activity fun and not scary
  • Emphasize God's love
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might feel anxious about being 'inside' something

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's comfort with the story and engagement

Extension Activities

  • Color a BibleMouse Jonah coloring page
  • Sing 'God Is Everywhere' song from BibleMouse Song Collection

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 168Back to Bible