Lesson 3 (Prayer, Mercy, and the Salvation of the Lord)

Lesson 3

Prayer, Mercy, and the Salvation of the Lord

Jonah 2:1-10

1Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

3For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

4Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

5The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

6I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

7When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

10And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Questions for ages 2-4 years

1. What did Jonah do while in the belly of the great fish?
2. Why did Jonah pray to God? (What did he want?)
3. Could God hear Jonah all the way in the fish's belly?
4. Who did Jonah say was responsible for putting him in the sea?
5. Even though Jonah was put in the belly of the great fish, what did Jonah say he was going to do?
6. Why did Jonah survive being thrown into the sea?
7. When Jonah thought he was going to die in the fish's belly, what did he do?
8. What did Jonah promise to do?
9. Who is the only one that can save men?
10. Why did the great fish vomit Jonah onto the shore?

Questions for ages 5+ years

1. Did Jonah want the punishment that he deserved for disobeying God?
2. Is there anywhere man can go that God will be unable to hear or see us?
3. Why did Jonah say that it was God that had cast him into the sea?
4. Why was God punishing Jonah?
5. Why did God not simply allow Jonah to die in the sea?
6. Does God enjoy punishing men?
7. Did Jonah want God's justice or His mercy?
8. What happens to those men that refuse to acknowledge their sins?
9. Who or what is required to obey God? Why?
10. Was Jonah angry with God for putting him in the belly of the great fish?

Additional True or False Questions

1. Jonah refused to acknowledge having done anything wrong.
2. Jonah compared his experience in the belly of the fish to being in the belly of hell.
3. God never wanted Jonah to be thrown in the sea or be eaten by a great fish.
4. It was God that almost killed Jonah in the sea, and it was also God that saved his life.
5. Men do not need God, they can be saved by doing good deeds.
6. Jonah hated God, because God was responsible for all his troubles.
7. The great fish threw up Jonah because he didn't taste good.
8. Jonah was vomited out of the fishes mouth into the sea, and had to swim to shore to show that he was ready to listen.