I use this Sunday school game with the 2-5 year olds when teaching the lesson of Jonah. The game as well as the activity ideas and discussion topics all work well together with this age group and hold the attention!
Bible Story:
Tell the story of Jonah and the whale in basic language that this age group can understand. If you can’t find an illustrated copy of this in the library for use in your class, use the bible use simple language.
Discuss:
Why did Jonah stay inside the fish/whale for 3 days and night? What happens when the children in your class do something that their parents tell them not too? Why did God save Jonah even though Jonah disobeyed God?
Game:
For this you will need a container such as a bucket that will symbolize the fish/whale, and an object such as bean bag, or soft sponge ball, to symbolize Jonah. Decorate the container around the rim with “teeth”, and put a face on the object so that the symbolism is clear.
In turn have the children come and throw “Jonah” into the mouth of the fish/whale.
Song: (To the tune of Bobby Bingo – “there was a farmer had a dog..”
There once was a man inside a fish
And his name was Jonah
J-O-N-A-H
J-O-N-A-H
J-O-N-A-H
And his name was Jonah
Activity:
Cut out a large fish shape. Glue this onto a background of blue construction paper (the ocean). Provide a pile of small metallic shapes and some glue (unless the shapes are self-adhesive) and have the children stick the metallic paper onto the fish. Once the fish is complete, either use a pen that will work on the metallic “scales” to draw Jonah inside the fish, or cut out a basic shape to symbolize Jonah and stick this on top of the scales. Pin the picture on the wall.
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