"The moment Jonah hit the water, the wind stopped, the waves died down, it was completely calm. (Pause in silence)... The sailors said: "WOW! Jonah's God must be the most powerful God! Only the God who made heaven and earth could do that!" and they started to have a party and to praise God and thank him. 

But what about our friend Jonah?

He was in the water. He started to sink. He wished he had learned to swim. He sank down to the bottom, and the Bible says that when he came up, he had seaweed wrapped round his head - ugh! Then suddenly... he saw this (draw big fish in picture) It looked like a big red cave.... it was the mouth of a great big fish! lt came towards him (gesture with your hands like the jaws closing suddenly)

GLOOP!

lt swallowed Jonah whole. "Helloo, helloo! I must be in a cave. But it smells rather fishy in here." And Jonah realized that he was in the belly of a huge fish. There must have been a pocket of air in there because the Bible says he stayed alive inside the fish for three days and nights. Jonah had time to think. He said this: SORRY. Do you think he said sorry to the fish? No, he said sorry to God. Then he felt much better..." 

Themes:

The story of Jonah, being disobedient towards God, obeying God, saying sorry to God, repentance, God's grace

Sketchboard story:

A beautiful Bible story written by Korky and Anni Davey (OAC ministries) with an easy to do painting. You can however also tell the story without a painting.

You can download the story underneath: