Day 1 –  THE STORY

God wanted Jonah to go to a city called Nineveh and tell them to change their evil ways. God wanted Nineveh to follow Him, but they were so wicked Jonah didn’t want to go. Instead of doing what God asked him to do, he ran away from Nineveh and got on a boat. While he was on the boat a great storm came. He knew that God brought the storm because of his disobedience. Jonah didn’t want any of the people on the boat to die because of his disobedience, so he asked them to throw him off the boat. They didn’t want to, but the storm was so bad they tossed Jonah over the side of the boat. To make sure Jonah would get back to Nineveh, God made something crazy happen.

Read Jonah 1:11-17

It’s a true story! What happened to the boat when

Jonah got off? What happened to Jonah when he was in the water?

Day 2 – THE WITNESSES

Jonah knew exactly what He did wrong, and He knew that what was going on around him was his fault. Sin is disobeying God. Sin has consequences. Bad things happen when you sin and it can even affect other people. Jonah realized this and decided to get off the boat.

Read Jonah 1:11-17

Have you ever gossiped and it hurt someone?

Have you ever cheated and failed a test because of it?

Have you ever lied and people lost trust in you?

What are other ways sin can create bad things?

Day 3 – THE SOURCE

God will do some crazy things to get you to obey Him! He loves you and knows that obeying Him is what is best. God used a storm to get Jonah in the water and He used a whale to get him to Nineveh. Could you imagine living in a whale’s belly for three days?

Read Hebrews 12:6

Do you think God was disciplining Jonah? Do you think God loved Jonah?

Did you know God is showing you love when He disciplines you?

Give it a try!

Draw a picture of Jonah and the whale.

Day 4 – THE MOTIVE

God wants you to obey Him! As you read about Him, He will tell you how to obey.

He has placed parents and leaders in your life to guide you and help you follow Him.

Read Ephesians 6:1

Do you obey your parents? How can you obey your parents better?

Did you know that your parents love you when they discipline you?

Day 5 – CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Go to the grocery store this week with your mom. Stand next to the fish section and smell the fish just a little (If you have a fish market in town ask your mom to take you there). When you know how strong the fish smell is, think about what Jonah smelled every day living in a fish! Let it remind you that it is always better to obey God the first time… He wants you to avoid all fishy situations!