December 1, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 50. Big Fish, Bigger Mercy (Jonah 1-4)

The Big Truth: God’s people should reflect the mercy of their God.

The Gospel Point: Even though Jonah was the pouting prophet, Jesus used his story to point to his own death and resurrection. The scribes and Pharisees shouted at Jesus. “Show us a sign that you are the Messiah!” Jesus had already shown lots of signs. He had cleansed a leper, healed a paralyzed man, and given sight to the blind. He had even raised the dead to life! What kind of sign were they looking for? They wanted a supernatural sign—like water turning to blood. Jesus replied to them, “Only people with no faith want a special sign like that. I will only give you one sure sign that I am the Messiah. Just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the great fish, so will I will be three days in a tomb” (see Matt. 12:39–40). What do you think he is talking about? Yes, he’s talking about his death—and resurrection. On Friday he died. That night (day one) and the whole day after (day two) his body was buried. Then, on day three, he rose from the grave! But Jesus didn’t choose the story of Jonah just because the number of days matched. He chose the story because it was all about God’s mercy for sinners who repent. Jesus’s death and resurrection are the signs that prove he is the Son whom God sent to save us from our sins and the punishment of death. Anyone who trusts in Jesus—disobedient prophets or wicked enemies—can be saved.

Memory Verse: John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Catechism: Q: Where do you learn how to love and obey God? A: In the Bible alone. (Job 11:7, Psalm 119:104, Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 22:29, 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.