Exploring the value of obedience through a story from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions - 'Jonah and the Big Fish'.
JONAH: Hello, I'm Jonah, and this is the incredible story of another man called Jonah who was friends with his God. It's called Jonah and the Big Fish.
Once there was a city called Nineveh, where the people didn't follow God's rules. They were very disobedient and very naughty.
Now, Jonah was one of God's messengers and one-day God said to Jonah…
GOD: Jonah, go tell the people of Nineveh that I love them and they should stop being naughty. The rules I've given them are good. If they start being obedient, they will be much happier.
JONAH: But God, I don't see the point. The people of Nineveh are really naughty. They'll never learn to be obedient.
GOD: Now, don't you start being disobedient! Please, do what I've told you to do.
JONAH: Okay, God, I'll go tell the people of Nineveh they should stop being naughty. Though, I still don't think it'll work. But just as soon as Jonah thought that God wasn't looking, he decided he wouldn't do what God had told him to do.
STORY NARRATOR: And then Jonah got into a boat with some sailors…
JONAH: And sailed away in the opposite direction. Suddenly, there was a huge storm, the wind howled and the waves were enormous. The boat was tossed this way and that.
JONAH: Ah, this storm is all my fault! It's because I wasn't obedient. I believe if you throw me into the sea, the storm will stop and the boat won't get smashed by the waves.
STORY NARRATOR: So the sailors threw Jonah into the sea.
JONAH: Amazingly, the storm stopped. The waves became calm and the wind died down. But now, Jonah was just bobbing in the sea and all he could see was water, water, water. How was he ever going to get to shore?
STORY NARRATOR: Then, something amazing happened! A giant fish swallowed him whole.
JONAH: But don't worry, God didn't send the giant fish to eat Jonah; he sent it to save him so that he wouldn't drown.
STORY NARRATOR: Jonah camped out in the belly of the fish for three whole days, which gave him lots of time to think about how good God had been to rescue him.
JONAH: And then God told the fish to take Jonah to the shore.
JONAH: God had saved Jonah, though he must've smelt terrible! Jonah was very thankful and decided to be obedient and do what God had asked him to do.
So, Jonah went to Nineveh and said to the people…"God says, 'Please, stop being naughty.' You should obey his rules, they're really good.
And to his surprise, all the people of Nineveh said sorry for the things they had done wrong. They decided to be obedient. Jonah was amazed.
Thanks for helping me tell this treasure story. It's from the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. See you again soon, bye!
The people of Nineveh refused to follow God’s rules. Jonah was a messenger of God and was instructed to go to Ninevah and tell the people that God wanted them to be obedient. Jonah set off to do God's bidding, but then changed his mind: he boarded a ship and sailed in the opposite direction. There was a mighty storm and Jonah explained to the sailors that this was probably his fault and that they should throw him overboard, which they did. The storm settled, but Jonah was swallowed by a giant fish, which had been sent by God to help him. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, and had plenty of opportunity to consider his actions, before being taken to the shore. Jonah obediently continued to Nineveh to pass on God’s message. The people listened and were obedient. This can help us to reflect on the value of obedience.
Duration: 3' 58"
Final words: 'See you again soon! Bye!'
Video questions
- Where did God tell Jonah to go? (Nineveh)
- Why did God want Jonah to go to the city? (People were disobedient and naughty and didn't follow God's rules)
- Why did Jonah ask the sailors to throw him in the sea? (He thought the storm was his fault as he had been disobedient and he thought the storm would stop if they threw him in the sea)
- What happened after the sailors threw him in the sea? (The storm stopped and a giant fish swallowed Jonah)
- How long did Jonah stay inside the fish? (Three days)
Teacher Notes
Discuss with the children what puzzles them about the story? How did Jonah feel when in the fish’s belly?
Ask some ‘I wonder…?’ questions when looking at some art works depicting the story.
Talk about Jonah’s relationship with God. How might Jonah describe God?
Do you think all people describe God in the same way?
Interview faith persona dolls about what they know about God, including a Humanist world view as well. What are the similarities and differences? Do those dolls who believe in God show obedience or have they needed some 'second chances' too?
Retell the story using small world characters or make scenes in modelling clay.
Paint the story as a class, with groups illustrating particular scenes.
Curriculum Notes
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS1 Religious Education in England and Northern Ireland, the Curriculum for Wales (particularly RVE as part of Humanities), and Early and 1st Level Religious and Moral Education in Scotland.
Further resources
Related BBC Teach content
Saying sorry: Jonah and the Whale - An assembly about 'saying sorry' focusing on the story of Jonah.
