"3 Days and 3 Nights" Teaching Ideas

The verse for this week is long, but it really spells out what is taught.  The theme verse isn't necessarily intended to be memorized, but instead to be repeated often so that the child can think on God's Word and consider it.

 
Theme Verse: “Just as Jonah was three days (sign for day with the number 3) and three nights (sign for night) in the belly (hold your belly) of the great fish (make a fish with your hands), so will the Son of Man be three days (sign for day with the number 3) and three nights (sign for night) in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 ESV
 
Have your child repeat after you and do the motions.


Song: “Jesus Is Alive!” from Gospel Light Preschool CD #1

I am happy and I’ll tell you why, Jesus is alive! x2
Well, it makes me want to sing, 
and it makes me want to shout, 
I got something to be happy about.
Jesus is risen, he’s risen indeed,
Jesus is alive! x2

Parent Preparation: Matthew 12:40, Mark 8:31, Jonah chapters 1 and 2, Romans 10:9-10

Supplies: Bible, picture of a tomb (from a children’s Bible or coloring book), print out of teaching

Day 1

• Jonah is a man that lived a long time ago.  
• He was in the belly of a large fish for 3 days and 3 nights. 
• 3 days the sun rose and it was day time (count to three together) and 3 nights (count to 3). Jonah was in the belly of a large fish.  
• Then the fish spit him up on the land. 
• (Introduce theme verse.)  
• (read further about Jonah in a children’s Bible)

Day 2

• Jesus Christ died, and was buried in a tomb (show a picture of a tomb). 
• He was in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights. 3 days the sun rose and it was day time (count to three together) and 3 nights (count to 3).  
• Then God raised him up from the dead!  
• (Have child repeat theme verse)
• (read further in a children’s Bible about Mary coming to the tomb and finding it empty)

Day 3 

• Jesus Christ told people how he would be like Jonah in the future.  
• (Read theme verse.)   
• Jesus hadn’t died yet. But he knew that he was going to die. 
• He also knew that it was only going to be for 3 days and 3 nights.  He knew that God was going to raise him from the dead.
• (Read Romans 10:9-10) When we believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we become born again! 

Additional Activities:

• Make a Large Fish:  Use blankets draped over chairs or a table to make a pretend large fish.  Have your child go inside the belly of the fish.  Count 3 days and 3 nights and then pretend to be spit out on dry land.

• Make a Tomb:  Use blankets draped over chairs or a table to make a pretend tomb.  Talk about how sad it was that Jesus died and was in the tomb.  Count 3 days and 3 nights.  Pretend to be Mary looking in the tomb and find it empty.

Related Posts:
"Jesus Christ Obeyed God" Teaching Ideas
Homemade Resurrection Eggs - Teaching Ideas

© Brigette Hill, 2014