There are times in our lives when we look around and have to wonder, “How in the world did I end up here!?!” Sometimes that is a good thing, but often it is a place we never wanted to be. For me personally, it was also a place I never thought I could be. Sure, that could happen to someone else, but not to me. Anyone else ever think that?
I guarantee that Jonah never thought he would be in the belly of a large fish. And while we may never be in a literal belly of fish, we can find ourselves in situations that are just as stinky and horrible. It all comes down to the choices we make and the paths we follow. Having our way does not generally lead to happiness. In fact, it often leads to us ending up in those awful places we never thought we would be. God’s way is perfect, and while He may not take us where we want to go, it is always a place better than where we would end up without Him.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: I should go God’s way. (Jonah • Jonah 1:1–3:10)
Memory Verse: “God’s way is perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:31, NIrV
Key Question: Whose way is perfect?
Bottom Line: God’s way is perfect.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Jonah
Worship – Perfect
Worship – Jump Around
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. We will practice this verse all month. Be sure to think of a fun reward you can give them at the end of the month when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Our
Bible story, today, was about a man named Jonah who learned the hard way that we should go God’s way. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people, ‘Go God’s way.’ Today, we’ll make a list of places we can go and tell the people, ‘Go God’s way.’” (Have each family member list a place.)
“These are some great places! And why should we tell people, ‘Go God’s way?’ Because [Bottom Line] God’s way is perfect! Let’s pray.”
PRAYER: “Dear God, thank You for teaching us that Your way is perfect. Help us to JUMP, JUMP, and go your way. Help us go to (read the list your family made) and tell others to go your way, too, because [Bottom Line] God’s way is perfect! We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
