How do I expain to a group of 1st-3rd graders what the sailors on Jonah's Ship did when they cast lots?

Answer 1

One way would be to say they pulled names out of a hat! Maybe another way, to say they voted, and since Jonah wasn't there to cast his vote, he lost!

Thank you for taking time to teach this age group and I hope the Lord blesses you during the lesson, too.

Answer 2

tell them what they were doing wasn't evil, because since Jonah was trying to run away from God, God was using the sailors to teach Jonah a lesson about what happens when you try to think you have the right to decide your own fate if he has other designs for you. Sometimes God is obvious like when he sends the flood and sometimes he likes the subtle approach. all those guys and Jonah gets tossed in? unless your a complete idiot there's no way the message is lost.

Answer 3

They were casting lots to discover who was the source of the great seastorm. However, this does not mean it was a random chance game. In the NT, the 11 disciples "cast lots" to see who would replace Judas as the 12th. This should be understood as submitting a vote, not like pulling straws.

Answer 4

It's like drawing straws. Don't forget to emphasize that the gentile sailors were acting more religious than Jonah was.

Answer 5

Get a set of dice and roll them. That will get the general idea across to them. Good luck! <><

Answer 6

Tell them it's like drawing straws and one is shorter than the rest.

Answer 7

Dice.
Shooting craps is the modern equivalent of that term.

Answer 8

You dont because anything in Bible is not taught in school

Answer 9

Tell them it was a floating crap game.