Jonah and the Big Fish: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Jonah 1:1-17
An interactive 45-minute lesson on Jonah 1 for elementary children, with action storytelling, a movement game, a fish craft, discussion, and prayer. It teaches that God is in charge of everything and cares for us even when we run.
Memory verse
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell the events of Jonah 1 in order: God's call, Jonah's running away, the storm, and the great fish.
- Explain that God is in charge of the sea and the storm, and that no one can run away from Him.
- Respond by choosing one way to say yes to God this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Would You Run? (5 min)
Setup: Spread the blue sheet on the floor as "the sea."
Greet each child by name. Ask: "Has anyone ever wanted to hide when a grown-up gave them a job to do?" Let two or three children answer.
Say: "Today we meet a man who got a big job from God and ran the other way."
Say: "His name is Jonah, and God did something amazing."
Teach this motion for the story: whenever you say "LORD," everyone points up. Practice it twice.
Say: "Let's sit around the sea and hear what happened."
The Story: Jonah Runs Away (8 min)
Open your Bible to Jonah 1. Tell the story in order. Children do the motions in parentheses.
1. The word of the LORD came to Jonah. God told him to go to Nineveh and cry against it, because its wickedness had come up before Him. (Point up.)
2. Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish, away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship, paid the fare, and went aboard. (March in place.)
3. The LORD sent out a great wind. There was a mighty tempest, and the ship was like to be broken. (Wiggle fingers like wind.)
4. The sailors were afraid. Each cried to his own god, and they threw cargo into the sea. Jonah was down inside the ship, fast asleep. (Rest head on hands.)
5. The shipmaster woke him: "Call upon thy God." They cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
6. Jonah told them he feared the LORD, who made the sea and the dry land. He said, "Cast me into the sea, and it will be calm." They rowed hard but could not reach land. They cried to the LORD, then threw Jonah in. The sea stopped raging.
7. The men feared the LORD greatly. The LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in it three days and three nights. (Big arms: gulp!)
Say: "Background: Nineveh was a big city. The Bible says its wickedness was known to God."
Say: "Now let's think about what this story teaches us."
God Is in Charge (7 min)
Hold up the blue sheet. Ask: "Who sent the wind?" (The LORD.) "Who prepared the fish?" (The LORD.)
Say: "Jonah ran away from God, but he could not get away from God."
Say: "The wind, the waves, and even the fish all obeyed God."
Three big ideas, with a hand motion each:
1. God speaks. When He tells us something, it is good to listen. (Cup hand to ear.)
2. We can't hide from God. He is everywhere. (Arms wide.)
3. God is merciful. Jonah went into the sea, and God prepared a great fish. (Hug yourself.)
Say: "God did not give up on Jonah. God does not give up on us either."
Gentle link to Jesus: Later, Jesus spoke about Jonah's three days and three nights in the fish (Matthew 12:40). Jesus is the greater rescuer who gave His life so we can be forgiven and brought close to God.
Say: "Now let's play a game to help us remember the story."
Game: Jonah Says (8 min)
Setup: Children stand in their own spots, an arm's length apart. No running; all movement is in place. Time: 8 minutes.
Steps:
1. Explain: "When I say 'Jonah says,' do the action. If I don't say it, freeze."
2. Call story actions: "Jonah says march to Nineveh." "Jonah says sail the ship (sway)." "Jonah says shake in the storm." "Jonah says sleep." "Jonah says row hard!"
3. Mix in tricks without "Jonah says." Children who move simply join in the next round, with no one "out."
4. Finish with the blue sheet: kids kneel and hold the edges. Make gentle waves, then say "The sea ceased from her raging" and everyone holds still.
5. Ask: "Who calmed the sea?" (God.)
Say: "Great job! Now let's make something to take home."
Craft: Jonah in the Fish (8 min)
Safety: Scissors and glue are used. Adults do all cutting. Check for allergies to markers or glue and supervise closely.
Setup: Fold one plate in half for each child. Cut a tail shape from the second plate. Cut a few scrap paper "Jonah" strips ahead of time.
Steps (8 min):
1. Color the folded plate as a fish, with an eye and scales.
2. Glue or tape the tail to the back.
3. Draw a small Jonah on a paper strip.
4. Tuck Jonah inside the fold so he is "in the fish."
5. On the back, write: "Jonah 1:17." Practice the verse together, one phrase at a time.
Say: "Take your fish home and tell your family what God did."
Talk It Over (5 min)
Sit in a circle. Ask each question and take one or two answers.
1. What did God ask Jonah to do? (Go to Nineveh and cry against it.)
2. What did Jonah do instead? (He ran away toward Tarshish by ship.)
3. Who sent the storm? (The LORD.)
4. What did the sailors do when the sea became calm? (They feared the LORD and made offerings and vows.)
5. What shows God was still caring for Jonah? (He prepared a great fish.)
6. When is it hard to do what God says? (Answers vary: when we are tired, scared, or want our own way.)
Say: "God is patient with us when we struggle, and He wants to help us."
Closing Prayer (4 min)
Say: "Let's thank God for being with us everywhere."
Pray with children repeating each line:
- "Thank You, LORD, that You made the sea and the dry land."
- "Thank You that we can never run too far from You."
- "Help us to listen when You speak."
- "Thank You for forgiving us through Jesus."
- "Amen."
Say the memory verse together once, with the fish craft in hand.
Say: "See you next time. God is with you all week!"
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Blue sheet or large blue cloth
- Paper plates (2 per child)
- Crayons or markers
- Child-safe scissors (adult pre-cuts)
- Glue stick or tape
- Scrap paper for Jonah figures
- Index cards for the memory verse
Teacher notes
- Safety: Adults handle scissors. Check for glue or marker allergies before the craft, and keep movement in place during the game.
- Adaptation: For children with special needs or a mixed-age group, use picture cards of the story steps, pair buddies in the game, and offer a seated version of the motions.
- Stay with the text: it doesn't say how Jonah felt or what Jonah said to God at the start, so avoid guessing. Chapter 2 and 3 continue the story, so don't tell the ending today.
- Keep the Jesus link short and gentle; the focus is God's power, patience, and mercy.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Jonah 1:1-17. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah ran away by ship. God sent a great storm, Jonah was thrown into the sea, and God prepared a great fish. Children learned that God is in charge of everything, we can't hide from Him, and He is merciful.
- Why do you think it's hard to do what God asks sometimes?
- What do you think it means that the LORD prepared a great fish?
- How do you know God is with you wherever you go?
Use the paper fish craft to retell the story together. Take turns telling one part each, then say Jonah 1:17 together.
Each day, ask God, "What should I do today?" When you know something right to do, do it without delay and tell a family member about it.
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