This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them.

Blessing

Did You Know?

For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.

Teachable Moments

For additional support in spiritual parenting and to learn more about creating transforming environments in your home, be sure to pick up HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource from your church or download at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

After reading Scripture, discuss the following together:

Remember Verse for the environment of

God Is Merciful

Part of The Big God Story

Younger Kids

Older Kids

2.11

The Book of JonahGod calls Jonah to speak to the Ninevites. Jonah runs from God’s call, but he doesn’t get far! God makes a giant fish swallow him and then spit him out onto dry land. Finally, Jonah goes to speak to the Ninevites, and they repent! God shows mercy on them and doesn’t destroy their city.

• TheNineviteswereaparticularlybrutalandpaganpeople.

• NinevehwasthecapitalofAssyria,oneofIsrael’sbiggestenemies.

• GodshowedmercytoJonaheventhoughheinitiallyranawayfromthetaskGodgavehimtodo.

• AfterJonah’sexperienceinthegreatfish,hedidgotoNinevehwherethepeoplebelievedwhathesaidaboutGod.God,inHismercy,sparedthecitybecauseoftheirrepentance.

•HowwouldyouhavefeltifGodhadchosenyoutospeaktotheNinevites?

•Whatdoesthewordmercy mean?

•HowhasGodshownmercytoyou?

Mercycanbeadifficultconceptforyouryoungerchildtograsp.Attimesit’sgoodtoshowmercyasyoudealwithsmalldisciplineissues.Practicingmercyandforgivenessinyourhomeisthebestwayforyourchildtolearnthisconcept.

Yourolderchildcanlearntoadministermercyinherfriendships.RemindyourchildthatourGodisaGodofsecondchances.Therearetimeswhenmercyandforgivenessaremuchmoredesirablethanswiftjustice.

date:

©2013DavidCCook.TruResourcesaredevelopedinpartnershipwithROCKHARBORChurchandanationalnetworkoffamilyandchildren’sministryleaders.Allrightsreserved.

A blessing to pray over your child:

“(Child’sname), may you be blessed with a pure heart so that you may always see God. May you always show mercy to others, remembering that you first received mercy from God.”

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

KNOWING

Just for FunPlay“PeakandPit.”Alloweachpersontoshare

the“peak”(bestpart)ofherdayandthenher

“pit”(worstpartofherday).Aftereveryone

shares,explainthatyouwanteveryoneto

identifythe“pit”and“peak”asyoureadJonah

1 and 2.Thenaskeachpersontosharehis

thoughts.Explainthemeaningofmercy—

compassionorforgivenesstowardsomeone

whodeservespunishment.Askeveryonehow

GodshowedmercytoJonah.