Lesson 1: Emotion Discerning Meatball

The Story of Jonah

Bible Scripture Reference: Jonah

Message: Is it always like this?

Rigid Jonah

The story of Jonah in the Old Testament is indeed a unique one. God wanted to save the people in the wicked city, but the prophet Jonah didn't listen to God. He was even angry with God, and it might seem surprising that God tolerated this. We often expect life to be fair and just. Jonah must have known that when God asked him to go to Nineveh and persuade its people, it was an opportunity for them to change. But Jonah believed that since those people were wicked, they deserved to face the consequences – he thought this was fair and just. Jonah felt his anger was justified, but is that really the case?

God let Jonah spend three days and three nights in the belly of a fish, which gave him time to reflect. Eventually, Jonah agreed to carry out God's command, but he still didn't want the people of Nineveh to be saved. God understood Jonah's feelings and patiently communicated with him. In his stubbornness, Jonah even cared for the life of a plant, but he had forgotten that even wicked people are precious lives. This story reminds us that sometimes our preconceived notions of fairness and justice may not align with God's intentions, and that God values all life, even those we may consider wicked.

The ultimate judgment belongs to God.

God is a just God, and also a God full of mercy and love. Sometimes, we may arrogantly believe that "things must be this way to be right," easily using worldly standards to judge all matters of right and wrong, forgetting that the world doesn't always provide fairness and justice—God is the ultimate judge. The next time we get angry because we feel there's no fairness or justice, we can stop and ask ourselves: Am I only concerned about my own preferences and resenting the perceived lack of fairness? Is my own thinking always right? When we understand and willingly submit to God's will, an unexpected peace will fill our hearts, guiding us to make the right judgments and decisions.

Approach

• Read the Bible with students or refer to adapted Bible story content.
• Use worksheets to guide students in identifying the emotions of the events and characters in the story.
• Share insights and engage in discussions with students about the issues faced by the characters in the story and how they can bring about change.
• Conclude with a prayer.

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Worksheet

Bible Story - Jonah

Story Adaptation from Jonah

Have you ever been so angry that you wanted to escape or did something irrational? The prophet Jonah in the Bible not only disobeyed God's command but also got angry with God and attempted to flee. Let's take a closer look at what happened.

One day, God sent the prophet Jonah to the city of Nineveh in Assyria to urge them to repent and turn away from their evil ways to avoid God's punishment. Jonah believed that since the people of Nineveh had committed many sins, they should be punished for their actions. He thought this would bring about fairness and justice. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah decided to escape in the opposite direction by boarding a ship.

Once on the ship, Jonah fell asleep. Suddenly, a great storm arose at sea, and the ship was about to sink. The crew members were terrified, and each of them began to pray to their gods. They even cast lots to determine who had caused this calamity. When they discovered it was Jonah, he admitted that it was his fault. Jonah said, "It's because of me. My God sent me to do something, but I ran away. So, if you throw me into the sea, the storm will stop." The crew members initially hesitated but, as they couldn't calm the storm any other way, they eventually threw Jonah into the sea. Strangely, the storm subsided, and the crew members began to believe in Jonah's God.

After being thrown into the sea, God caused a great fish to swallow Jonah. Miraculously, Jonah survived inside the fish's belly and spent three days and three nights there. During this time, he prayed and thanked God. Then God commanded the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. Once again, God instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver His message.

This time, Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh. He proclaimed, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh, including their king, took Jonah's message to heart. The king urged everyone to repent, pray to God, and turn away from their wicked ways. They hoped that God might change His mind and not destroy the city. In response to their repentance, God decided not to bring calamity upon Nineveh.

Jonah was displeased with this outcome. He went outside the city and sat down under a plant that God had caused to grow to provide shade for him. However, the next day, God caused the plant to wither quickly. Jonah was upset about the plant's death. God then spoke to Jonah, reminding him of the people of Nineveh. God questioned why Jonah cared so much about a plant but didn't show the same compassion for the many lives in Nineveh, who had turned from their wickedness. God's message emphasized the value of human lives and the importance of compassion and mercy.

Questions and Discussion

(You can refer to the Emotion Traits Chart or Emotion Vocabulary Cards)

1. Try to identify the emotions of the characters in the story. (You can refer to the emotions characteristics chart and list the possible emotions for each character)
   • God instructs Jonah to go and persuade the people of Nineveh.
   • Jonah doesn't want to go to Nineveh.
   • The ship crew encounters a great storm.
   • Jonah is swallowed by a great fish.
   • God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh.
   • Jonah learns that the people of Nineveh have been saved.
   • Jonah realizes the withering of the castor oil plant.
   • Jonah hears God's message that the people of Nineveh are also precious lives.
2. Why do you think Jonah was angry? What type of Overthinking Monster might have invaded the angry Jonah, and why?

Let's pray together

Let us pray to God, seeking His wisdom and guidance. Sometimes, we feel angry when we encounter situations that seem unfair, and we tend to rely on our limited understanding to judge and react. However, we forget that God's thoughts are higher than ours, and He is the ultimate judge. We ask God to help us practice thinking from different perspectives so that we can be more receptive to the lessons He wants us to learn. May we avoid being trapped in negative thought patterns and be open to God's guidance.