Heart Prep:
Jonah was a prophet sent by God to confront the people of Nineveh regarding their sinful ways. Jonah, however, did not immediately obey God’s command. In fact, Jonah traveled in the opposite direction and boarded a boat to Tarshish. God sent a storm due to Jonah’s disobedience. After being thrown into ocean, the Lord sent a big fish to swallow Jonah for three days and three nights. The Lord told Jonah again to preach to the city of Nineveh, and Jonah obeyed this time. As we read further, we learn how Jonah grew angry over God’s mercy displayed toward Nineveh. While Jonah did not care for the people of Nineveh, God did. The people believed Jonah’s message from God and were saved. Like the Ninevites, we cannot save ourselves, but God can. When we are confronted with our sin, we have a choice to ignore it or do as the Ninevites did and repent. God sent Jesus so we could repent of sin, trust in Him, and be saved. This week, point boys and girls to the gift of Jesus. Thank God for Jesus’ death and resurrection and share how we too can believe, turn from our sin, and be saved. While we all are born far from God, Jesus bridges the gap. Just like God the Father, Jesus is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Jonah 4:2).
Message:
God told Jonah to preach to the great city of Nineveh, because their sin against God was great. Jonah immediately got up to try to flee from the Lord’s presence. He did not want to go to Nineveh, so he boarded a boat to Tarshish. The Lord sent a great storm on the sea. Jonah knew the storm was because of him and that if his shipmates would throw him overboard, the sea would calm down and they would live. The sailors picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the waves stilled, and the wind stopped. The Lord sent a large fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah prayed and thanked God for sending the fish to save him. Then the Lord commanded the fish to spit Jonah up on dry land. God said again to Jonah, “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” This time, Jonah obeyed. When Jonah got to Nineveh, he walked around the city and shouted, “In forty days, Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed what God said through Jonah. They fasted and dressed in sackcloth, from the rich to the poor. Even the king fasted and put on sackcloth, saying, “Each of us must turn from our evil ways. Who knows? Maybe God will turn from his anger, and we will not die.” God saw the actions of the Ninevites and did not destroy them. This made Jonah very angry. He prayed to God and said, “God, this is why I ran away from Nineveh! I knew that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” Jonah traveled outside the city and sat down to see if God would change his mind and destroy the city after all. God caused a large plant to grow up to give him shade. Then God caused the plant to die, so that the sun beat down on Jonah’s head. Jonah was angry. God said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not plant or grow. Can’t I care about a city full of people who don’t know right from wrong?”
Main Point:
Jonah spent three days in a fish so that the people of Nineveh could hear God’s message, turn from sin, and be saved. Jesus was in the tomb for three days so that we could hear and trust the gospel, turn from sin, and be saved.
Discussion:
God showed mercy to the sailors, Jonah, and Nineveh. How is God merciful to us?
Tell kids that when God shows mercy, He is not giving a punishment we deserve. Remind kids that we all deserve death because of our sin. Through Jesus, God shows mercy to sinners who deserve punishment for sin. (Read Ephesians 2:4-5.)
How can we show mercy to others?
Share how God desires for His people to demonstrate mercy to others because they have received His mercy through Jesus. Jonah was angry that his enemies received mercy, but the Bible tells us that God desires that we show mercy even to our enemies. Tell kids that we can show mercy by being quick to forgive, keep no record of wrongs, and show kindness even when others wrong us. (Read Luke 6:35-36.)
How did you see God’s patience in today’s story?
Discuss how God was patient with Jonah when he ran away and when he was angry. God was patient with Nineveh, delaying His judgment by giving them 40 days to repent of their sins. Share how God is patient, but we shouldn’t take His patience for granted. God provides us with opportunities to turn from sin and trust in Jesus. We don’t need to delay seeking His forgiveness. (Read Romans 2:3-5.)
