Week 924 · about 45 minutes
Jonah 1
Jonah 1 · Memory verse Jonah 1:9
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Jonah 1), the matching word search and answer key (Jonah 1 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a smooth stone
Hold a smooth stone. Read Jonah 1 in about four minutes, stopping at Jonah 1:9: “He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Jonah 1?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Jonah 1 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now Yahweh’s word came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”” Jonah 1 opens with these words: “Now Yahweh’s word came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,” The line to keep is Jonah 1:9: “He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”” Carry the word “hebrew” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Jonah 1:9: “He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Jonah 1? Then try this: Read “He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through Jonah 1. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Jonah 1:9. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Jonah 1 and write Jonah 1:9 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Jonah 1:9
“He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Jonah 1. Help us remember Jonah 1:9 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.