The Lord blesses me when I obey Him.

Jonah 1:4–17; 3:3–5

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” When the Lord asked Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, Jonah did not obey. Help the children understand that we are blessed when we obey the Lord.

• Show pictures of the story of Jonah, and invite the children to tell what they know about the story (see “Jonah the Prophet” in Old Testament Stories; this week’s activity page; or this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Ask questions like these: What happened when Jonah didn’t obey the Lord? (see Jonah 1:4–17). What happened when he did obey? (see Jonah 3:3–5). Share your testimony that the Lord will bless us when we obey Him.

Old Testament Stories “Jonah the Prophet” Images

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah”Your children might enjoy doing actions that tell the story of Jonah, like pretending to run away, making sounds like a stormy sea, or pretending to get swallowed by a big fish (see “Jonah the Prophet” in Old Testament Stories). Ask family members what they learn from Jonah’s experience. For one example of a lesson from Jonah, see verse 7 of “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, 110–11).

Sing together a song about obeying the Lord, such as “Quickly I’ll Obey” (Children’s Songbook, 197). Talk about how it would have been best for Jonah to obey the first time. Help the children think of things God wants them to do and then act out how they can obey quickly.

The gospel is for everyone.

Jonah 3

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” The people of Nineveh repented when Jonah shared the Lord’s message with them. What opportunities do the children have to share the gospel?

• Act out parts of Jonah 3:3–8 with the children, such as walking to the city of Nineveh, sharing the Lord’s message, and writing a decree from the king to his people. Show a picture of missionaries (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 109, 110). What do missionaries do? How was Jonah a missionary? Help the children think of ways they can share the gospel with others, such as sharing an article of faith or bearing their testimony of Jesus Christ.
• Tell of an experience when you shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. Or, a few days before class, invite someone to visit your class and tell the children about a time when he or she shared the gospel or when someone shared the gospel with him or her. Encourage the person to show pictures, if possible. Help the children think of ways they can be missionaries now.

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” Micah prophesied that a future “ruler in Israel” would be born in Bethlehem. You can help the children know that the birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy.

• Display pictures of events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 28, 29, 30, 31). Invite the children to talk about what is happening in each picture. Read Micah 5:2, and invite the children to stand up when they hear the word “Beth-lehem.” Testify that Jesus’s birth was so important that prophets knew about it before He was born.
• Invite the children to draw a picture of Jesus’s birth. As they show their pictures, ask them to share why they are thankful for Jesus Christ.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” You could display a picture of Jesus as a child with His mother (see Gospel Art Book, no. 33) on one side of the room and a picture of the Wise Men on another. Read together Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1–6. How did Micah’s prophecy help the Wise Men find Jesus? Family members could move the picture of the Wise Men next to the picture of Jesus. Your family might also enjoy watching the video “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Repentance includes recognizing my sins and asking for forgiveness.

Jonah 1:10–12; 2:1–4, 9; 3:1–5

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” Jonah’s example can inspire the children to turn to the Lord when they have sinned.

• Help the children make a list on the board of some of the basic elements of repentance (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Repent, Repentance,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Review together the story of Jonah, and invite the children to identify evidence that Jonah was repenting (see, for example, Jonah 1:10–12; 2:1–4, 9; 3:1–5). How can we show the Lord that our repentance is sincere?
• Sing a song about repentance, such as “Repentance” (Children’s Songbook, 98). Ask the children what words or phrases from the song they would share with Jonah to help him repent.

• “McKay and the Whale” (January 2006 Friend)
  McKay tries to hide something from his parents. He hears the story of Jonah and the whale and decides to tell the truth. Includes figures to tell the story of Jonah.

The Lord is merciful to all who turn to Him.

Jonah 2:7–10; 3:10; 4:2; Micah 7:18–19

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” When the children understand that the Lord is merciful and kind, they will turn to Him when they need mercy.

• Invite the children to find a definition of the word mercy in a dictionary or in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why did Jonah need mercy? Why did the people of Nineveh need mercy? (see Jonah 1:1–3). Ask the children to imagine that they could interview Jonah. What evidence might Jonah give to show that the Lord is merciful? (see, for example, Jonah 2:7–10; 3:10; 4:2). How has the Lord shown us mercy?
• Ask the children to make a list on the board of things that they “delight” in, such as hobbies, blessings from the Lord, and so on. Invite them to read Micah 7:18–19 to discover one thing the Lord delights in. What truths in these verses would help a person who is afraid to repent?
• Help the children think of examples when the Savior showed mercy to others, such as Mark 2:3–12; Luke 23:33–34; and John 8:1–11. Show pictures of these events, if possible. Help the children think of opportunities they have to be merciful and kind to others.

The Lord wants me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

Micah 6:8

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jonah; Micah” Micah 6:8 provides a pattern for living righteously. How can you help the children discover and live the teachings in this verse?

• Read together Micah 6:8, and help the children understand what these phrases mean: “do justly,” “love mercy,” and “walk humbly with thy God.” Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves doing something related to one of the phrases.
• Write on the board “What doth the Lord require of thee?” Invite them to find the answer in Micah 6:8. How does obeying the Lord’s commandments help us fulfill what the Lord requires of us in this verse?

Additional Resources

“Lesson 43: Jonah and the People of Nineveh,” Primary 6: Old Testament  Lesson ideas

Latter Day Kids “Jonah and the Whale” Lesson ideas

Friend November 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Jonah and the Big Fish Activity: Go outside and find some rocks, leaves, or sticks. Use them to make a picture about Jonah and the big fish!

Friend December 2018 “Jonah and the Whale”

Friend December 2018 “Jonah Repented” Story and goal card.

Old Testament Coloring Book “Jonah”

“Jonah and the Big Fish” (October 1990 Friend)

• “Jonah and the People of Nineveh” (September 1998 Liahona and April 1998 Friend)
  Retelling of the story of Jonah. Includes scripture figures.

• “Jonah Repents” (July 2005 Liahona and Friend)
  This retelling includes an illustration to color

Coloring page: “Jonah and the Great Fish” (October 2010 Friend)

Gospel Art Picture: “Jonah”

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “God is Merciful” Lesson ideas

The Red Crystal Come Follow Me Lesson Helps

Music: “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, 110)

Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away,But he later learned to listen and obey.When we really try, the Lord won’t let us fail:That’s what Jonah learned deep down inside the whale.