Gospel Sparks Join the beta

Jonah and the Big Friendly Fish

Jonah sails the wrong way, a great fish gives him a ride, and this time Jonah obeys

  • ☀️ Sunbeams
  • Week 48
  • 📅 Sunday, November 29, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

I can obey Heavenly Father, and He will help me.

I can obey Heavenly Father.

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Amos; Obadiah; Jonah)
Know the chapters

The Lord asked the prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh, a big city, and warn the people to stop doing wicked things. Jonah ran the other way on a ship. The Lord sent a great wind, and the sailors put Jonah into the sea, where “the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (Jonah 1:17). Inside the fish Jonah prayed, and the Lord heard him (2:1–2). The fish put Jonah on dry land.

Then “the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time” (3:1), and this time “Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh” (3:3). The people listened and changed, and the Lord was merciful to them (3:10). The Lord gives second chances to Jonah and to Nineveh, and to us.

Your one tiny truth: I can obey Heavenly Father. Three-year-olds practice obeying all day long (“Come here,” “Gentle hands,” “Time to clean up”). Help them feel how happy it is to obey, and that Heavenly Father helps us when we try. If they ask about running away, keep it simple: Jonah made a wrong choice, said sorry, and tried again.

Make the fish big and friendly, never scary. It was the Lord’s way of rescuing Jonah from the sea. Amos and Obadiah are also in this week’s reading; Amos 3:7 teaches that the Lord speaks through His prophets.

Only have 5 minutes?

Bring any stuffed animal to be the big friendly fish (or use the no-supplies versions). Tell the Jonah story with your phone or tablet scenes (everyone is a sailor and a big fish!), play Which Way, Jonah?, say “So Jonah arose, and went” while jumping up and marching, sing “Quickly I’ll Obey,” and end with, “I can obey Heavenly Father. He will help me.”

What to bring5 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Tuck the toy fish under the blanket.
  2. Choose one side of the room to be Nineveh and the other side to be the sea. Tape up the signs if you made them.
  3. Clear a little floor space for rowing and rocking in the storm.
  4. Open this lesson in Teach Mode so the story pictures and the Sound Board waves and splash are ready.

If your class is wild

  • If a child is worried about Jonah being swallowed, say, “The fish was a helper! It kept Jonah from sinking in the sea.” Let that child hold the toy fish.
  • Crying at the door? Let the parent stay a few minutes. Invite the child to be the fish’s helper and hold it during the story.
  • Potty breaks: send the child with another grown-up or their parent; never be alone out of sight with a child. Keep the class going.
  • When the storm gets too wild, call, “The sea is calm!” and make smooth, flat hands. Everyone freezes like a calm, quiet sea.
  • Fish crackers are a fun ending, but only after checking allergies and your ward’s policy.

The 25-minute plan23 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Peekaboo Fish

2 min

A peekaboo reveal introduces the big fish as friendly and fun.

  1. Sit on the floor with the children. Hold up the blanket with the toy fish under it.
  2. SAY“Something is swimming under here! Let’s count and peek. One… two… three… peekaboo!” Lift a corner, then cover it again. Do it twice more.
  3. On the last peek, bring out the fish and make it swim through the air: “A big friendly fish!”
  4. Let each child give the fish a gentle pat.
  5. SAY“Today we’ll hear about Jonah and a great big fish. Heavenly Father helped Jonah learn to obey.”

Class screen: 🐋 Peekaboo! What’s swimming? · 1… 2… 3… · Peekaboo!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A soft toy fish or whale (or any stuffed animal you can call a big fish), A scarf, dish towel or small blanket

Peekaboo Hand Fish

  1. Hide your hands behind your back. Say: “Something is swimming back here!”
  2. Count together: “One… two… three… peekaboo!” Bring out your hands pressed together and make them swim like a fish.
  3. Everyone makes a hand fish and swims it up high, down low, and around.
  4. SAY“Today we’ll hear about Jonah and a great big fish. Heavenly Father helped Jonah learn to obey.”

Class screen: 🐟 Make a hand fish! Swim, swim!

2. Story

Story: Jonah and the Big Friendly Fish

5 min

Children row, rock, gulp and march, so obeying becomes something they do.

  1. SAY“Everybody stand up. You are all sailors, and later you’ll be a big fish!” Pick a Wind Helper and a few Jonahs.
  2. Show each scene on your phone or tablet and read the one or two sentences.
  3. Do each action together. Tap the waves and splash sounds in scenes 3 and 4.
  4. In scene 6, get very quiet while Jonah prays.
  5. End marching together: “I can obey Heavenly Father!”
🌪️ If the storm gets too wild, say, “The sea is calm!” and make flat, still hands. Wait until everyone copies you.
🔊 Sound Board (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ⛵ Row! Rock! Gulp! March! · ⛵ row · 🌊 rock · 🐋 gulp · 🏙️ march

3. Wiggle break

Row, Storm, Calm

2 min

A stop-and-go wiggle burns energy and practices listening.

  1. Everyone sits on the floor in a boat. Say: “Row, row, row!” Everyone rows.
  2. SAY“Storm!” Everyone rocks side to side and whooshes.
  3. SAY“Calm sea!” Everyone freezes with flat, still hands.
  4. Play 3 or 4 rounds, faster and slower. End on “Calm sea!”

Class screen: 🌊 Row! Storm! Calm!

4. Scripture

Key Words: “So Jonah Arose, and Went”

3 min

Seven Bible words with jumping and marching show what obeying looks like.

  1. Hold up your scriptures. Say: “The Bible tells what Jonah did the second time.”
  2. Everyone sits. Say it slowly with motions: “So Jonah arose” (jump up) “and went” (march in place) “unto Nineveh” (point far away).
  3. Sit down and do it again. Say it three ways: soft, loud, and slow like a big fish.
  4. SAY“Jonah obeyed! I can obey Heavenly Father too!”

Class screen: 🏙️ “So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh” · ⬆️ arose · 🚶 went · 👉 Nineveh

5. Song

Sing “Quickly I’ll Obey”

2 min

A short song about obeying right away, like Jonah the second time.

  1. SAY“Jonah obeyed the second time. Let’s sing about obeying quickly!”
  2. Sing “Quickly I’ll Obey” (Children’s Songbook, 197). March in place while you sing.
  3. Sing it once more, then sit down quickly: “We obeyed!”

Class screen: 🎵 Sing and march!

6. Game

Which Way, Jonah?

3 min

Everyone practices going the right way, just like Jonah did the second time.

  1. Point to each side of the room: “This way is Nineveh. That way is the sea.”
  2. Call out: “Heavenly Father says, go to Nineveh!” Everyone marches to the Nineveh side. Cheer: “You obeyed!”
  3. Mix in fun calls: “Storm!” (rock side to side) “Big fish!” (open arms wide, gulp) “Pray!” (fold arms).
  4. Always finish with “Go to Nineveh!” and a big cheer. Say: “I can obey Heavenly Father!”
🌪️ Walking fast counts. Keep both sides close enough that nobody has to run.

Class screen: 👉 Which way is Nineveh? · 🏙️ Nineveh · 🌊 the sea

7. Wiggle break

Fishy Freeze Dance

2 min

One more big wiggle before the quiet part.

  1. Open Freeze Dance. Everyone swims around like a big friendly fish.
  2. When the music stops, freeze with a big fish mouth: open wide!
  3. Last round: freeze with arms folded, like Jonah praying.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🐟 Swim like a fish! Freeze!

8. Talk it over

Show Me!

2 min

Quick show-me questions let every child answer with their body.

  1. Sit close together. Hold the toy fish on your lap if you brought it.
  2. Ask the questions one at a time. Any answer, even a point or a nod, gets a smile and a “Yes!”
💬 Ask the class
  • Show me how Jonah rowed the boat.
  • Show me a great big friendly fish.
  • What did Jonah do inside the fish?
  • Show me how you obey when Mom or Dad says, “Come here!”

Class screen: 🙋 Show me!

9. Testimony

I Can Obey

2 min

A calm, loving moment where the teacher shares a simple testimony.

  1. SAY“Let’s be as still as a calm sea. Fold your arms.”
  2. In a soft voice, say: “Jonah said sorry and tried again, and Heavenly Father helped him. When we try to obey, Heavenly Father helps us too. I know He loves you.”
  3. Look at each child and say their name: “Sophie, you can obey Heavenly Father.” (Use your own class names.)
  4. Invite a child to say the closing prayer, whispering a few words at a time for them to repeat.

Class screen: 🙏 I can obey Heavenly Father.

10. Game

Jonah Picture Quiz

3 minBONUS

Picture questions review the story; every child points or calls out.

  1. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question and point to each picture.
  2. Children point to the right picture. No teams needed: everyone wins.
  3. After each answer, everyone makes a big fish gulp.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🐋 Point to the right picture!

11. Game

Mystery Picture: What’s Hiding?

3 minBONUS

A slow reveal names things from the story.

  1. Open Mystery Picture. Say: “Something is hiding! Let’s take the squares away.”
  2. Remove a square each time the children row the boat or swim like a fish.
  3. When they guess, act it out: boat = row, storm = rock, fish = gulp, worm = wiggle.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ❓ What’s hiding?

12. Craft

Paper Plate Fish

4 minBONUS

A take-home fish reminds them that Jonah obeyed the second time.

  1. Cut a small triangle out of each paper plate for a mouth, and tape the triangle on the back as a tail.
  2. Let the children color their fish.
  3. Draw a tiny Jonah inside with folded arms. Say: “Jonah prayed, and then he obeyed!”

Class screen: 🐟 Make a friendly fish!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Optional: paper plates, crayons and tape for fish crafts

Big Fish, Little Fish

  1. Everyone makes a little fish with two hands, then a big fish with both arms.
  2. Swim the little fish up high, then gulp it with the big fish arms.
  3. SAY“Jonah prayed inside the fish, and then he obeyed!”

Story drama

Jonah and the Big Friendly Fish

Jonah 1–3 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • Everyone: SailorsRow the boat and rock back and forth in the storm.
  • Everyone: Big Friendly FishOpen arms wide like a big mouth, then close: gulp!
  • JonahRuns the wrong way, prays with folded arms, then marches to Nineveh (a few children can be Jonah together).
  • Wind HelperBlows a big wind (or taps the wind sound) when the storm comes.

Scenes

  1. 🧔 The Lord gave Jonah a job

    The Lord told the prophet Jonah to go to the big city of Nineveh and tell the people to choose good.

    🎬 Point far, far away to Nineveh.

  2. ⛵ Jonah went the wrong way!

    But Jonah didn’t want to go. He got on a boat going the other way.

    🎬 Turn around and row, row, row the boat.

  3. 🌊 Whoosh! A big storm!

    The wind blew and the waves splashed. The boat rocked back and forth!

    🎬 Rock side to side and blow a big wind: whoooosh!

  4. 💦 Splash! The sea is calm

    Jonah told the sailors to put him in the sea. Splash! Right away the sea was calm.

    🎬 Clap once for the splash. Then make smooth, flat hands: calm sea.

  5. 🐋 Here comes a big friendly fish!

    The Lord sent a great big fish. Gulp! The fish swallowed Jonah so he wouldn’t sink.

    🎬 Open your arms wide like a big fish mouth. Gulp! Hug yourself.

  6. 🙏 Jonah prayed inside the fish

    Inside the fish, Jonah prayed. He said sorry and promised to obey, and the Lord heard him.

    🎬 Fold your arms and bow your head.

  7. 🏖️ Out onto the sand!

    The Lord told the fish to put Jonah on dry land. Out he came onto the sand!

    🎬 Jump forward onto the pretend beach. Wiggle your toes in the sand!

  8. 🏙️ This time Jonah obeyed!

    The Lord asked Jonah again to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah went! The people listened and chose to be good.

    🎬 March in place and say, “I can obey!”

Key verse

Jonah 3:3 ↗
“So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh”
In kid words: Jonah got up and went to Nineveh. He obeyed!
🙌 “So Jonah arose” = jump up from sitting · “and went” = march in place · “unto Nineveh” = point far away.

More verses

Jonah 1:17 ↗
“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah”
In kid words: The Lord got a great big fish ready for Jonah.
Jonah 2:2 ↗
“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me”
In kid words: Jonah prayed for help, and the Lord heard him.
Jonah 2:9 ↗
“I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving”
In kid words: Jonah promised to thank the Lord.
Jonah 3:1 ↗
“And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time”
In kid words: The Lord gave Jonah a second chance.

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 🧔 Jonah
  • ⛵ Boat
  • ⛈️ Storm
  • 🌊 Waves
  • 🐋 Big Fish
  • ⚓ Anchor
  • 🏙️ City
  • 🙏 Pray
  • 🏖️ Beach
  • 🌬️ Wind
  • 🌿 Plant
  • 🪱 Worm
Clues for each word
  • Jonah: A prophet who rode in a big fish
  • Boat: Row, row, row!
  • Storm: Wind and big waves
  • Waves: Splash! They go up and down
  • Big Fish: Gulp! It swallowed Jonah
  • Anchor: Keeps a boat still
  • City: Nineveh had lots of people
  • Pray: Jonah did it inside the fish
  • Beach: Sandy land by the sea
  • Wind: Whoooosh!
  • Plant: Gave Jonah shade
  • Worm: A wiggly little crawler
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Where did Heavenly Father want Jonah to go?
    • A. 🏙️ The city of Nineveh
    • B. 🎠 The playground
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🏙️ The city of Nineveh Nineveh, the big city!

  2. What did Jonah ride to run away?
    • A. 🚲 A bike
    • B. ⛵ A boat
    • C. 🚀 A rocket
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ⛵ A boat He got on a boat going the wrong way.

  3. What rocked the boat?
    • A. 🌊 A big storm
    • B. 🎈 A balloon
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🌊 A big storm Whoosh! Wind and big waves!

  4. What swallowed Jonah?
    • A. 🐈 A kitty
    • B. 🐋 A great big fish
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🐋 A great big fish Gulp! A big fish the Lord sent.

  5. What did Jonah do inside the fish?
    • A. 🙏 He prayed
    • B. ⚽ He played soccer
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🙏 He prayed Jonah prayed, and Heavenly Father heard him.

  6. The second time, did Jonah obey?
    • A. 🙁 No
    • B. 😃 Yes!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 😃 Yes! Yes! Jonah got up and went to Nineveh.

  7. Who can obey Heavenly Father?
    • A. 🐸 Only frogs
    • B. 🧸 Only teddy bears
    • C. 🙋 Me!
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🙋 Me! You can! Heavenly Father will help you.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Quickly I’ll Obey Children’s Songbook, p. 197

    Obeying right away, like Jonah the second time. Find it ↗

  • Follow the Prophet Children’s Songbook, p. 110

    It has a verse about Jonah; march to the chorus. Find it ↗

  • Do As I’m Doing Children’s Songbook, p. 276

    A copy-me wiggle song: row, swim, gulp and march. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Quick Like Jonah

This week, when Mom or Dad asks you to do something, try to obey right away, like Jonah the second time. Then give them a big fish “gulp” hug!

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned about Jonah. He ran the wrong way, a big fish swallowed him, he prayed, and the second time he obeyed Heavenly Father. Ask your child: “What did Jonah do inside the fish?” (He prayed!) This week, notice when your child obeys and tell them, “You obeyed, just like Jonah!”

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🙏 Thank-You Fish · 3 min

  1. SAY“Inside the fish, Jonah said thank you to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).
  2. Sit in a circle and pass the toy fish (or a hand fish). Whoever holds it names one thing they are thankful for: “Mommy!” “My dog!” “Pancakes!”
  3. SAY“We can thank Heavenly Father for everything, just like Jonah.”

🌿 Jonah’s Shady Plant · 2 min

  1. SAY“After Jonah went to Nineveh, the Lord grew a big plant to give him shade” (Jonah 4:6–7).
  2. Everyone grows from a tiny seed into a big leafy plant, arms stretched wide.
  3. Then everyone wiggles on the floor like a little worm. Say: “Heavenly Father takes care of Jonah, and He takes care of us.”

🐟 Fish Cracker Count · 3 min

  1. After checking allergies and your ward’s policy, give each child a few fish crackers on a napkin.
  2. Count them together, then say: “Jonah prayed, Jonah obeyed!” before eating one.
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father helps us obey, just like He helped Jonah.”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Sunbeams lessons