“God loves everyone, even our enemies.” This is the point that Desmond Tutu wants kids to understand when they read his retelling of “Jonah and the Big Fish.” What a beautiful message from a story that can often only be used with kids as just a message of obedience.
It can be easy for little ones to experience a very mean and scary God from this story if the message is simply obedience. While I pray my girls will learn obedience, I don’t want it to be out of fear. My prayer is that they obey out of a love of God and a desire to please Him, as in John 14:15, “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
This is actually a story we did in April, but it was so fun and made my heart so happy, that I wanted to share it with y’all today. It was our first day with a friend over all day and I think it really helped her to feel comfortable at our house and have fun in a new environment.
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The Bible Story
Anyone who has grown up in the church knows the story of Jonah and the Big Fish, or as I grew up hearing it, Jonah and the Whale. Jonah was one of God’s prophets. He is mentioned in two places in the Old Testament: the Book of Jonah and 2 Kings 14:25.
This story is a different twist of many of the prophets’ stories. That’s because, most of the time the focus is on the words of God through the prophets, but this is actually a story about the prophet himself, not so much his words. For more on Jonah check out this fun overview video by The Bible Project.
BONUS – Theological Thoughts for Mama’s Heart
Do you remember why Jonah ran away instead of going straight to Nineveh? Because he knew God would forgive Jonah’s enemies if they repented. Jonah quotes God’s own words back to Him. In Jonah 4:2, Jonah says, “That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.”
The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,“Yahweh! The Lord!The God of compassion and mercy!I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
Exodus 34:6-7
Oh man! I sometimes am more of a Jonah than I am a Ninevite. The Ninevites were evil, but repented. Jonah knew God’s love, but didn’t want his enemies to benefit from it. But, if we truly know God’s love we will want all to benefit from it.
We can rest assured that there is plenty of His love for us and our enemies. Also, He is able to and will judge rightly. He is the only One who can.
Two Questions to Ponder:
- When have you been a Jonah and not done what you know you were called to do in your own attempt at justice? (Umm… today for me! Geez!)
- When have you helped someone else experience God’s grace when they didn’t deserve it?
Supplies We Used for Playing with Jonah and the Big Fish
- Children of God Storybook Bible
- Kitchen Table
Who Was Playing with Jonah and the Big Fish
- 2 year old twins
- 2 year old friend
- Mama
How We Played with Jonah and the Big Fish
Copy that!
Jonah and the Big Fish is a story about a prophet. A great place to start with this story is by talking about what a prophet is. Keeping in mind an age appropriate description of prophets.
For my 2s, a prophet is someone God gives a message to for other people. We then play a copying game. Someone, me first usually- to help model, says something and the girls repeat after me to a friend or sister. You can use words, animal noises, or silly sounds. Take turns copying each other until everyone has a turn or attention is waning and it’s time to move on.
Storytelling
Poor Jonah! He got swallowed by a fish and only got 4 chapters in the whole Bible. Then, in most storybook Bibles that gets smushed down into a couple of paragraphs. However, we did go through this story three times before we were all done, so there’s that, I guess.
Remember when you are reading the Bible that these are stories that God finds important for us to know. So, tell the stories in an exciting way. Here’s a tip: Use facial expressions, energy, and different voices if you can. I am not strong at using a variety of voices for different characters consistently. Thankfully, my husband is, so my girls get that fun experience with him.
What Do You Think Jonah Did?
Another great storytelling tip is to invite your kids into the story. For example, at the beginning of our story God tells Jonah to go to Ninevah. You can pause here and ask, “So, what do you think Jonah did? Did he obey God?” Listen to their answers without giving any indication if they are right or wrong, and continue by saying, “Let’s find out.”
Try it when he is thrown in the water, and again, when he is swallowed by the fish.
But You Can…
In the Children of God Storybook Bible retelling that we used, it then tells us, “Jonah hated the people of Ninevah because they were enemies of Israel.” In our family we don’t use the word hate, especially not with people. So, I paused here and we talked about the word “hate.”
When we put limits on things, especially with toddlers, it is helpful to give them a positive option. Like, hands are not for hitting our sister, but you can use your hands to give a high five or fist bump. You may not jump on the couch, but you can put the cushions on the floor and jump on them there.
Back to Jonah, we talked about God wanting us to love others, not hate others. Everyone doesn’t have to be our best friend, but we can’t use the word “hate” to describe our feelings about them. So, something like this, “In our family, you may not hate people, but you can hate foods. What foods do you hate? Mama hates olives. Yuck!”
Stormy Weather
There are lots of boats and lots storms in the Bible. For the storm in this story we didn’t just focus on the wind like we did in the Jesus Walks on Water story. Instead, we made the lightening and the thunder. When the storm happened in the story, we paused from reading and had a little storm in the kitchen.
We beat on the table for thunder and clapped our hands for lightening. We rocked back and forth in our chairs as the men on the boat did. Then, we beat on the table more and louder. I flashed the lights, too.
Wriggling Fish
After the storm, Jonah is overboard, sinking into the water. All of a sudden, the big fish comes and swallows him up. Here we used some sign language; the sign for fish, which is just wriggling your hand like a swimming fish with your palm facing in.
I love using sign language with littles, especially animal signs. It’s also great for kinesthetic learners.
How Big was the Big Fish?
You know the old joke about the fisherman’s fish that grows every time they tell others about it, well that’s pretty true with toddlers, too.
Here I just took turns asking each girl, how big the fish was that swallowed Jonah, and it kept getting bigger and smaller and bigger again.
Or, I would say, “was it this big?” and make my hands demonstrate something very small? They would laugh and say, “NO!” Then they would show me big with their hands.
How did Jonah Pray in the Big Fish?
At this point in the story we each took turns being Jonah in the big fish and praying. My twins had never prayed before using their own words, besides holding hands with us while we prayed and ending with an “amen!,” but I thought they might at least fold their hands and show me what Jonah might have looked like in there.
Boy, did my mama heart ever burst when Poppy actually prayed?!?! “Dear God, I pray. Amen!” It was the most perfect little prayer. Without comparing, because we all know we aren’t supposed to compare as mamas, my twins are not as verbal as our oldest was. This was a huge verbal accomplishment for Poppy!
The Big Fish goes Burp!
This next part is easy and predictable, but experiential and worth it. When the fish burps him onto the beach, you make silly burping sounds. Violet likes to add lots of “Ewws!” Everyone adds laughter.
Yay, God!
Although Jonah wasn’t pleased with the fact that the Ninevites repented and God forgave them, I read it in a triumphant tone. God is the hero! He loves! He’s always ready to forgive!
My girls cheered, clapped, and shouted! Yay!! God is good, even when we don’t deserve it!
Review of Jonah and the Big Fish
We reviewed the story a couple of times, letting the girls fill in lots of blanks. I simplified the story to a few sentences and asked lots of questions. The girls remembered the story and got to make the storm again, and the sign for fish, show me how big it was, pray in the belly, burp, and cheer again.
Amen!
Our story ended with a prayer. We used the simple one in the book and added a thank you to God for forgiving us. Then there were shouts of “Amen!” from all around the table.
1, 2, 3, Go!
To add in some bigger movement, here’s a game we love to play! This is literally the BEST game for 2s!
We usually call it the “Go Game”, but sometimes the girls call it “Mark, Set, Go!” It is SO simple and after playing it in a variety of settings from daycares, to preschools, to just with my own girls, I haven’t found a two year old that doesn’t like it.
Jonah was told to “Go” by God, so this is a fun gross motor activity to add into our Bible Play while keeping with the theme.
How to play
- Pick a spot for them to start.
- You move anywhere from 10 to 50 feet away from the kids.
- You say “1, 2, 3, Go!” or “On your mark, get set, go!” (I like 1, 2, 3 the best because it helps them to learn/practice counting).
- They run to you and give you a hug or high five or tackle; whatever they prefer.
- Do it over and over again.
Why this game is great!
I love this game for so many reasons!
- It is simple. There are no supplies needed and no set up.
- 2s can easily understand the rules.
- You can play it one time or 20 times, and it is still fun for them.
- Kids can practice counting to 3.
- Kids learn self-control. Part of the game is waiting for “go.”
- Hugs! Lots and lots of hugs.
- Your kiddos get tired!
- It can be played inside or outside.
Final Thoughts on Playing with Jonah and the Big Fish
It doesn’t take much more than enthusiasm and silliness to help your kids engage with the Bible. God has done all of the hardwork, we just need to show them what He’s done with a bit of energy and pizzazz.
What are your favorite activities for Jonah and the Big Fish? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
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