Parent & Prodigy: JonahSample

Jonah's Escape Adventure

God asked the prophet, Jonah, to go to a city called Nineveh and tell them that they needed to stop being sinful. But, Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh, so he tried to run away from God. He hopped on a big ship going the opposite way to a place called Tarshish. While Jonah was on the ship, a super strong storm came. It was so strong that everyone on the ship was scared.

The people on the ship thought the storm was something unusual and strange. They wanted to know why it happened, so they threw lots to find out who might be the cause of it. The lots pointed to Jonah, and he knew it was his fault. He told the people that he was running away from God's instruction. Jonah felt so bad about making everyone scared and causing the storm that he told the sailors to throw him into the sea to stop the storm. As soon as Jonah went into the sea, the storm went away, but something even more incredible happened. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah.

Key Verse: "A message from the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai. The Lord said, "Go to the great city of Nineveh. Preach against it. The sins of its people have come to my attention." (Jonah 1:1-2 NIrV)

Key Term(s):

• Lots/Casting Lots
• Prophet

Let's Talk!

1. Discuss with your child why Jonah decided to run away from God's command. Explain that sometimes people, like Jonah, may try to avoid things they find difficult or uncomfortable.
2. Help your child imagine being on the ship during the storm. Ask them how they think the sailors felt when they realized the storm was caused by Jonah's disobedience.
3. Explain that the storm was sent by God to get Jonah's attention. Discuss the concept of God's control over natural elements.
4. Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard to stop the storm. Discuss what it means to make sacrifices for the greater good and how Jonah's willingness to be thrown into the sea is a significant part of the story.
5. Explain that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. Discuss the idea that God can provide a way out of difficult situations, even when it seems impossible.
6. Emphasize that, just like God pursued Jonah, God loves us and continues to care for us even when we make mistakes. Discuss how God always offers us a way back to Him.
7. Encourage your child to think about times when they may have wanted to run away from something difficult and how they can learn from Jonah's experience in Chapter One.