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Nineveh was the capital city of Israel’s enemy, Assyria. The Lord commanded Jonah to go and tell the people in Nineveh that their city would be destroyed if they did not repent of their wickedness. Jonah did not want to teach the people of Nineveh because he thought they would never change. He headed in the opposite direction – away from Nineveh – to try to hide from God. When the boat he boarded ran into a storm, Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a big fish. Jonah spent three days praying inside the fish, and then he was spit out. When Jonah finally went to Nineveh and preached, the wicked people repented and turned to God. The Book of Jonah ends with Jonah still resentful that these evil people received God’s mercy.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Jonah 1-4

Outline:

1. God calls Jonah but Jonah runs from God. (Jonah 1:1-16)
2. Jonah’s three days inside a fish. (Jonah 1:17-2:10)
3. Jonah goes to Ninevah. (Jonah chapter 3)
4. God’s mercy makes Jonah angry. (Jonah chapter 4)

Tips for teaching children:

• Guide children in drawing a fish. Once they have finished, they can add a stick figure inside the fish to represent Jonah.
• Make a boat from paper.
• Talk about the fact that all people deserve to hear about God. Make a collage or draw pictures of different kinds of people.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read the book of Jonah during the class session. Choose an easy to read from a simple translation such as the English Standard Version or the International Children's Bible and select four people to read the four chapters.
• This story confronts us with our prejudices and smug privileges as God’s people. Make a list of people groups that would be very different (ethnically, socially, morally) from the group in the classroom. Pray for them for God to bless them.
• This story confronts the church, too. Is your church a welcoming church? How would the church respond if someone from the list you created in the previous question came into your assembly? As a class, brainstorm different ways to make your congregation more welcoming to outsiders? In other words, think about how you can communicate to visitors that you were expecting them and you are so glad they came.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Jonah and the Big Fish

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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When evil Athaliah heard that her son, King Ahaziah (6th king of Judah), had been killed, she declared herself Queen of Judah. She was so evil that she killed her own grandchildren so that they would not try to be kings or queens in her place. Baby Joash was hidden in the temple by his aunt, so he was not killed. Jehoiada, the priest, cared for Joash and taught him about God. When Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada led the people in crowning Joash as the new king in Athaliah’s place. During his reign, Joash organised the work of the temple and had it repaired to its former glory. Sadly, in his later years, Joash turned away from God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 11-12

Outline:

1. Baby Joash is secretly kept safe in the temple. (2 Kings 11:1-10)
2. Seven-year-old Joash is crowned King, and evil Athaliah is killed. (2 Kings 11:11-21)
3. Repairing the temple. (2 Kings 12:1-16)
4. Joash’s last days. (2 Kings 12:17-21)

Tips for teaching children:

• For younger children, hide a doll and have everyone find it.
• Clean a room in the church building or your house. Repair something if it is appropriate.
• Use the “God’s Story” page to reflect on this story.

Tips for teaching adults:

• The story today covers two chapters. Read chapter 11 and then summarise chapter 12. Read chapter 11 in a dramatic way, adding depth to the story. Assign class members to read each character’s speech in the story. Don’t forget to choose someone to read the narrator’s part..
• This story has brave characters. Who were they? How did they show their bravery? What was at stake? How did their bravery fulfil God’s purposes for his people?
• Jehoiada was a positive and powerful influence for good on Joash’s life. Who has been a positive influence in your life? How have they been a positive influence on you? How has this impacted your life?
• There are people in your congregation who are a positive influence in the congregation. Identify those people, write a note of encouragement and gratitude and give the note to them. Pray for them by name.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Joash – the Boy Who Became King

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Naaman, a wealthy military man from Aram (Syria), had leprosy. The servant of Naaman’s wife was a young girl who had been captured from Israel and taken away from her parents. The girl suggested that Naaman go to the prophet Elisha in Israel to be healed. When Naaman followed Elisha’s instructions and dipped in the Jordan River seven times, he was then healed of his leprosy.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 5

Outline:

1. Naaman sought healing in Israel. (2 Kings 5:1-7)
2. Naaman was healed of his skin disease. (2 Kings 5:8-19)
3. Gahazi lied and took money from Naaman. (2 Kings 5:20-27)

Tips for teaching children:

• Craft: Have children draw a picture of Naaman on a thick piece of paper. Glue or tape a craft stick to the back, with only a small portion remaining behind the picture and most protruding from the bottom. Poke a hole in the bottom of a plastic or paper cup. Stick the craft stick inside the cup through the hole so that the picture of Naaman can slide in and out of the cup. The children can push the stick in and out of the hole to “dip Naaman in the water” seven times. Decorate the cup if you wish.
• The young servant girl helped Naaman. Talk about ways children can help people. Ask children to draw pictures of these.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class with sharing stories about the different kinds of rivers the class members have swam in and for them to describe what kind of river these were. Were they clear blue or brown and muddy? Did you feel clean afterward or not?
• Read the story in a dramatic way with different people reading the different characters in the story. Including the narrator, there will be eight readers with each one reading their character's speech. .
• This story has several characters. On a white board write down each one. You should have: Naaman, servant girl, King of Aram, King of Israel, messenger/Gehazi, Elisha, Namaan’s servants (7). Ask the class to describe each one (their emotions, actions, etc). Which one do you identify with today? Which one have you identified with in the past? How is Naaman a model to us? What do we learn about God in this story?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Naaman is Healed

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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A wealthy woman had an extra room built onto her house and furnished it comfortably for Elisha. Elisha and his servant used the room whenever they passed through the area of Shunem. In thanks for her help in preaching the word of God, Elisha told the woman that she would give birth to a son even though her husband was very old. She did give birth to a son, but after a few years, he died. The woman placed the boy’s body in Elisha’s special room and then went to find Elisha. Elisha came and raised her son from the dead.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 4:8-37

Outline:

1. An important woman shows hospitality to Elisha. (2 Kings 4:8-10)
2. The woman and her husband have a baby boy. (2 Kings 4:11-17)
3. The son becomes sick and dies. (2 Kings 4:18-21)
4. The woman fetches Elisha to save her son. (2 Kings 4:22-37)

Tips for teaching children:

• Discuss how we can bless those we know who preach and teach. Perhaps make cards or prepare cookies for the preacher in your church.
• Craft: Use a box (like a shoe box) to make a bible times house. Create a room on the roof like the woman did for Elisha.
• The boy in the story sneezed. For fun, take turns sneezing and choose who has the funniest sneeze.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read this story dramatically with different class members reading the parts of the different characters in the story. Choose someone to be the narrator, one to read each of the characters in the story.
• Although hospitality is not the main point of the story, it is an obvious component of it.
  • In what ways did this woman demonstrate hospitality?
  • Why is hospitality so important?
  • How does it demonstrate the character of God?
• One of the primary characters in this story is the woman. Spend some time describing her.
  • What does this story tell us about this woman? Especially note verses 25-30.
  • What are some of the qualities of this woman that are worthy of imitating?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elisha Raises a Boy from the Dead

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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A prophet died, leaving debts his widow and two sons could not pay. The creditor decided to take the two sons as slaves to pay the debt. When the widow begged for Elisha’s help, the Lord miraculously provided them with enough oil to sell and pay off the debt.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 4:1-7

Outline:

1. The desperate widow of a prophet approaches Elisha. (2 Kings 4:1)
2. Elisha directs a miracle that multiplies oil and saves the widow’s sons. (2 Kings 4:2-7)

Tips for teaching children:

• Ask the children to think about how they would have felt if they had been the sons in this story.
• Provide olives and olive oil so the children can touch, smell and even taste them.
• Draw pictures of jars in various shapes and sizes.
• Provide jars and water so younger children can reenact the pouring of oil into jars.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read the story aloud from three or four different translations.
• Bring a small jar of olive oil to the classroom and bring various kinds of olives for the class to enjoy tasting.
• Divide the class into groups of three or four and challenge them to write down all the different ways the ancient world utilised oil from the olive tree. Asking Google or AI is encouraged. After a short period of time, ask each group to share what they came up with. Compare each group's answers. Did any group come up with a use that no other group did?
• Discuss the following:
  • God uses what we have to bless – even if it's just one jar of olive oil. How has God used you or what you have to bless others?
  • God protects and provides for the vulnerable. Why is God so concerned for those who are vulnerable, such as widows, children and the poor?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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We are taking a couple of weeks off to rest, relax and spend time with family. May God grant you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
David and Mary

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Elijah continued to be a prophet in Israel during the times of Kings Ahab, Ahaziah and Joram (7th, 8th, and 9th kings of Israel). Elisha became Elijah’s helper. When Elijah’s work as a prophet came to an end, a chariot and horses of fire appeared, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah’s special gifts were passed on to Elisha to continue the work of the prophets. Elijah was one of a handful of people in the bible that went straight to heaven without dying.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 2:1-18

Outline:

1. Elijah’s farewell tour and departure (2 Kings 2:1-12)
2. Elisha takes up Elijah’s ministry (2 Kings 2:1-12)

Tips for teaching children:

• Take the children outside to look at clouds. Find clouds that like things in today’s lesson (horses, chariot, Elijah or Elisha, a coat). Use this opportunity to talk about heaven.
• Teach young children how to draw loops that increase in size to form a whirlwind.
• Use paints or markers to illustrate the story.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story can be read during the class time. This can be organized as a dramatic reading, assigning different characters in the story to different readers or one person could read the narrative part, another be the voice of Elijah, another Elisha, and another could be the group of prophets.
• Spend several minutes discussing aspects of this text. You could help start conversation by choosing some of the following discussion prompts:
  • Describe the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. What can we learn from this relationship?
  • Why do you think the fiery chariot and horses come between Elijah and Elisha just before Elijah was taken up in a storm?
  • What does the coat of Elijah represent?
  • When Elisha asks for a ‘double-portion’ of Elijah’s spirit, what is he really asking for?
  • What legacy of faith do you want to leave?
  • What legacy of faith do you want to leave your children and others?
  • What can you do to pass your faith to others who come after you? What can you do now to make this happen?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elijah and the Whirlwind

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, led his people and wanted them to trust God. Everyone was very afraid when a huge army was about to attack Judah, so King Jehoshaphat called all of the people together to fast and pray. The Lord spoke through a prophet and told the people not to worry because this battle belonged to the Lord. Jehoshaphat sent the army into battle, but, different to other battles, he placed a group of men in front to praise the Lord in song. While the army of Judah was approaching the battlefield praising the Lord, the Lord set the enemy armies against each other. By the time Judah’s army arrived at the battle, it was already over. The enemy armies had killed each other!

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Outline:

1. King Jehoshaphat leads the people in prayer to God. (2 Chronicles 20:1-19)
2. God defeats the enemies and Jehoshaphat leads the people in praise of God. (2 Chronicles 20:20-30)

Tips for teaching children:

• Recreate the scene in verse 28 by making instruments and having a praise parade.
• Ask the children to share anything they might be afraid of. As a group, pray like Jehoshaphat and the people prayed in verse 18 by lying face down on the ground.
• Guide the children in making up a tune for the words of verse 21, “Thank the Lord. His love continues forever.”

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by singing, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” and “Rescue Me.”
• This story can be read during the class time. Use the outline in the show-notes to divide up the reading.
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 1-4:
  • How did Jehoshaphat emotionally react to the news of a large army coming to attack?
  • How did he respond to this news?
  • What can we learn from him about when we feel overwhelmed by a problem?
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 5-12:
  • What do you notice about what Jehoshaphat prayed?
  • How can rehearsing God’s character and past actions help us when we pray?
• Hand out pieces of paper to the class members and ask them to write down problems they are facing that feel overwhelming to them. Collect these and designate someone in the class to read these out and then pray about them.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Jehoshaphat and the People Pray

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org