A BIG FISH SWALLOWS JONAH JONAH 1-2 "Go to Nineveh," God told Jonah. "Tell the people there I will destroy them because they are so wicked." Jonah didn't want to go to that wicked city. He didn't want to do what God said. So he ran away. He got on a ship headed the other direction. But God knew where Jonah was. Jonah couldn't hide from God. God sent a terrible storm. The ship on which Jonah was sailing was about to sink. The sailors were afraid they would all go down with the ship. So they began to throw things overboard. While that was happening, Jonah was sleeping down below. When the captain found Jonah, he shouted at him. "How can you sleep through all this? Get up and pray." The sailors thought the storm had come because God was angry with someone on the ship. So they drew lots to see who had done something wrong. That's how they found out it was Jonah. "I'm running from God," Jonah said. "You must throw me into the sea." At first the sailors tried to row the boat to the shore, but they couldn't get there. Finally they threw Jonah into the sea, and the storm stopped right away. God had prepared a great fish to come and swallow Jonah. For three days and three nights, Jonah was inside the fish. During that time Jonah was really praying! He begged God to save him. So God ordered the great fish to spit Jonah out on land. The fish obeyed, and Jonah was safe. He would not run away from God anymore. DISCUSSION: Where did God tell Jonah to go? Why? Why didn't Jonah obey God? What happened to Jonah's ship? Why did the sailors throw Jonah overboard? How long was Jonah inside the great fish? What did he do while he was there? How did he get out of the fish? Don't try to run away from God. You can't, because God is everywhere. And why would you want to run away? God loves you!
Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
JONAH PREACHES AT NINEVEH Jonah 3-4 After the fish spit Jonah onto land, he was ready to obey God. "Go to Nineveh," God commanded again. This time Jonah did not run away. He went to Nineveh and preached to the people. "Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed," Jonah preached. Nineveh was a very large city, so large it would take three days to walk around it. Everyone in Nineveh believed Jonah. The king believed him, and he was sorry for his sins. The people believed him, and they were sorry for their sins. The king and all his people put on sackcloth to show how sorry they were. Then the king and his officials sent a message through all the land. "Don't eat or drink. Wear sackcloth. Turn from your sins and beg God for forgiveness," they said. "Perhaps God will still forgive us." When God saw all this, he decided not to destroy Nineveh. Jonah became angry when he learned that God was not going to destroy Nineveh. He thought this evil city should be punished. "Kill me," Jonah begged God. "Is it right for you to be angry because I am not destroying Nineveh?" God asked. Then God decided to teach Jonah a lesson. God gave Jonah a leafy shelter to shade him from the hot sun. But then God sent a worm to destroy the plant. Then Jonah was angry about that. Why was God doing this to him? "You cared more about that little plant than all the 120,000 people of Nineveh," God told Jonah. "If you could feel sorry about a little plant, can't I feel sorry for thousands of people?" It was a good lesson for Jonah to learn. DISCUSSION: What did God tell Jonah to do at Nineveh? Did he do it? What did the people do when they heard Jonah? When the people were sorry for their sins, what did God do? How did Jonah feel about that? How did God show Jonah that he was wrong? Don't wish that God would hurt someone, even an enemy. Ask God to help that person instead. Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
An angel visits zechariah luke 1:5-25 Zechariah was a Jewish priest who worked at the Temple in Jerusalem. One day it was his turn to burn incense in the holy room there. When he went to do this, a crowd gathered outside to pray. As Zechariah was burning the incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. Zechariah was surprised and afraid. "Don't be afraid," the angel said. "I have special news for you. God has heard your prayers for a son. You and your wife, Elizabeth, will have a son. You will name him John. The boy will bring you great joy for he will be a great man who serves God. But he must never drink wine or other beverages with alcohol in them. Even before he is born, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will help many people come to the Lord. He will be a rugged man like Elijah. He will tell people about the Son of God, the Messiah, who is coming. He will help people obey God and believe in Him." "But how can this happen?" Zechariah said. "My wife and I are both too old to have a baby." "I am the angel Gabriel," the angel said. "You didn't believe me. Because of that, you will not be able to speak until the baby is born. But it will happen. You will have this baby, just as I have said." The crowd outside was getting restless. Why was it taking so long for Zechariah to burn the incense? When he finally came out, they noticed immediately that he could not speak. Then he motioned to them that he had seen a vision. Zechariah stayed at the Temple until his turn ended. Then he went home to be with his wife, Elizabeth. Not long after that, Elizabeth knew that she was going to have a baby. She stayed home for the next five months. Elizabeth was so happy! "The Lord is very kind," she said. "I felt bad that I couldn't have children. But now God will give me a baby."
DISCUSSION: Who did the angel visit? What did he say to Zechariah? What was the angel's name? What happened to Zechariah when he didn't believe the angel? There really are angels. Most of us have never seen one, but they are here. They are God's special helpers. Think of some ways that you can be God's helper. Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
the b-i-b-l-e... god's book! Did you do something today that would not please God? Would you want a little brother or sister to do it because you did it? What did you do today that did please God? Would you like someone else to do it because you did it? What does it mean to be an example or role model? My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. Psalm 71:7 DISCUSSION: When you show that God is at work in your life, you are an example, or role model to others. Think about the different things you have done today. How many showed that God was at work in you? How many did not show that God was at work in you? Now think about the activities that did show God was at work in you... How can you remember to do these things more often? Are you old and gray? If you're a grandmother or grandfather reading this to your grandchild, you may be. If you're a boy or girl, you are certainly not old with gray hair. But remember that no matter how young you are, others are younger. You must be an example to younger children. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Psalm 71:18 DISCUSSION: As older people taught you about God, so you should teach younger children about God. Who are the older people who have taught you the most about God? Mom or Dad? Brother or Sister? Aunt or Uncle? Sabbath School Teacher? Pastor? Who else? Are you thankful that each of these people took time to help you know about God? Remember that you should be an example for younger children. As you grow older you need to find ways to share what you have learned about God.
Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
AN ANGEL VISITS MARY LUKE 1:26-38 One day God sent the angel Gabriel to visit a young lady named Mary. She lived in the town of Nazereth, in Galilee. Mary had never been married. She had never lived with a man. But now she was engaged to Joseph, who was from the family of King David. "The Lord is with you," said Gabriel. "You are very special to God." Mary was puzzled and afraid. What could the angel mean? "Don't be afraid," the angel said. "God will bless you in a wonderful way. You will have a baby boy and will name him Jesus. He will be God's Son and will be very great. He will be a king and will rule over David's kingdom. He will rule over Israel forever." "But how can I have a baby?" Mary asked. "I am not married." "The Holy Spirit will come to you," the angel said. "God's power will come over you like a shadow. This baby will be holy and pure, for he will be God's very own Son." Then the angel told Mary about her cousin Elizabeth. "She is going to be a mother too," the angel said. "Even though she is too old to have a baby, God will make it possible. Everything is possible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," said Mary. "I will do whatever He wants me to do." After Mary said that, the angel left. DISCUSSION: Who did the angel Gabriel visit? What did he tell Mary at first? What special thing did he say was going to happen to her? What kind of person would Mary's baby become? Who would the baby's father be? Was Mary ready to obey God? We should be willing to do whatever God asks. Why? Which of the following sentences are true? (1) God knows more than we do. (2) God is wiser than we are. (3) God loves us. (4) God knows what is best for us. (5) God is able to help us have what is best for us.
Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH Luke 1:39-56 After Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of baby Jesus, the angel said that Elizabeth would also have a baby. So Mary decided to visit Elizabeth. The two of them could talk about their special babies. Mary left a few days later for Judea, where Elizabeth lived. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby inside Elizabeth jumped for joy. Then the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth so that she understood what was happening. Elizabeth shouted happily to Mary, "God has blessed you more than all other women, and your child will be blessed in a very special way. It is a great honor to have the mother of my Lord come to see me. You believed God's promise. That is why He has blessed you." "How I praise God," Mary answered. "I rejoice in God my Savior. He saw me and chose me to be the mother of His Son, even though I'm just a servant girl. Now people will always call me blessed. God, who is mighty and holy, has done wonderful things for me. His kindness goes on and on forever to all who honor Him." Then Mary said, "The Lord does wonderful things. He scatters proud people. He has taken princes away from their thrones. He has made people important who didn't seem important to anyone else. He has satisfied hungry hearts with good things. He has sent rich people away with empty hands. The Lord has helped Israel. He remembers His promise to show kindness to His children. He promised Abraham that He would be kind to the people in his family forever." Mary stayed with Elizabeth three months. Then she went back to her own home. DISCUSSION: Elizabeth said Mary would be the mother of a special person. Who would that be? What were some of the wonderful things Elizabeth said about Mary and her baby? What were some of the wonderful things Mary said? How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth?
When God does something special for you, you should praise Him. When you get to do something special that others can't do, do you brag about it or give honor to God? Have you told God lately how wonderful He is? Would you like to do that now? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert
JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BORN Luke 1:57-80 At last Elizabeth had her baby boy. When family members and neighbors heard the good news, they were all very happy along with Elizabeth. God had been very good to her. After eight days many people came to celebrate with Elizabeth and Zechariah. This was a time for everyone to welcome the child into a family that loved God. It was also the time to name the child. The people all thought he would be named Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John." "Why?" everyone wondered. "You have no one else in your family with that name," they said. So they asked Zechariah what he thought. Zechariah still could not talk. That's because he had not believed God's promise to send the baby. Zechariah showed with his hands that he wanted a writing tablet. When he got one, he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was surprised. But at that very moment, Zechariah could talk again. So he began praising God. The whole neighborhood wondered, "What will this child become? It's clear that God's hand is on this boy." Then the Holy Spirit filled Zechariah. He began to say wonderful things about the Lord and His goodness. "Praise God! He will send a wonderful Savior from King David's family, as He promised. He will save us from our enemies," Zechariah said. The Lord has remembered the promise that He first gave to Abraham long ago. God will save us from our enemies, so we can serve Him without fear. We will serve Him forever in a way that's holy and right. You, my little John, will be God's prophet to prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell God's people how to have their sins forgiven. Because God is kind, the light from heaven will soon shine on us. He will give light to the people who sit in darkness, with death nearby. He will guide us to peace." John did grow to be a man of God. He lived in the wilderness until he began his ministry to the people of Israel.
DISCUSSION: What did the neighbors and other family members think the baby should be named? Why? What did Elizabeth say the baby should be named? Did Zechariah agree? What special thing happened to Zechariah when he wrote John's name? God had told Zechariah what to name the baby. Zechariah obeyed God. So should we. When God wants you to do something, do it. Even when you may want to do something else, obey God. Obey what He says in His Word, the Bible. If you do, you'll find many reasons to praise God! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert