Jesus Calms A Storm                                John 2:1-12
PEACE BE STILL
Matt. 8:23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
 
Jesus wanted to go to Gadara. He could have walked there on solid ground. That would have been the safest way to go. But he got into a boat and crossed the Tiberias Lake. The Bible said that the disciples followed Him.
 
Matt. 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. This was no normal storm. Remember many of the disciples were fishermen they lived on the sea. In their life time they had experienced many storms. But this one made them afraid. This storm was made by Satan because he wanted to kill Jesus and His disciples. He wanted to stop God's work here on earth. Jesus was not worried he continued to sleep.
 
Matt. 8:25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
The disciples had Jesus with them but to them it seemed like He did not care about them. They became even more afraid. They ran and grabbed hold of Jesus.
 
Matt 8:26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Jesus was not angry with His disciples because they woke him up or asked Him to save them. He was angry because they did not trust Him.
 
Matt. 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Jesus proved that He had power over Satan and all of creation, the wind, the rain and even the seas. Jesus can calm all our storms. Jesus wanted to teach his disciples and us a lesson about following Him and serving Him. Jesus wants us to trust Him , step out of our safe places and go do things that other people will not do.

Exploring God’s Word                 Jesus Calms a Storm              John 2:1-12

 “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.” Matt. 8:23
 
 
Jesus Calms the Sea
Say: Today we're going to listen to a story about what happened to Jesus' disciples. And you're going to help me tell it.
Practice each of these cues and responses with the class:
  • Whenever I say "boat" everyone say "creeeak" and pretend you're pulling hard on the oars
  • Whenever I say "disciples," all the boys (and men) count to 12 really fast
  • Whenever I say "wind," the girls (and women) cup their hands around their mouths and blow.
  • Whenever I say "waves," put your hands side by side and make waves in front of you.
  • Whenever I say "Jesus," point to upward and say, "Christ, the Lord."
As you tell the Jesus Calms the Sea story (for story, scroll down to box below), be sure to put an emphasis on each of the bold words; then pause for kids to respond.
Say: Here we go! Everybody stick together so you don't get too scared.
  • Read the story. After you finish, have kids give themselves a round of applause for helping you tell the story.
Jesus Calms the Sea
The disciples were just exhausted. All day crowds and crowds of people had been following Jesus, listening as he taught and watching as he healed the sick. Now the sun was beginning to set over the Sea of Galilee. Seeing how tired his disciples were, Jesus said, "Let's get in a boat and go over to the other side of the lake." It would be good for all of them to get away from the crowds for a while.
The disciples rowed away from the shore while Jesus went to the front of the boat and lay down on a cushion. The waves lapped gently against the side of the boat, lulling Jesus into a peaceful sleep.
But suddenly a wind began to blow dark clouds across the sky. The waves weren't so gentle anymore. The little boat began to pitch and rock. The disciples began to get a little worried. But Jesus still lay sleeping in the front of the boat.
Then the wind grew stronger still. The spray from the waves got the disciples all wet. This was getting to be a bad storm! But Jesus still lay sleeping in the front of the boat.
By the time the fishing boat reached the center of the lake, the wind had turned into an angry gale that whipped the waves so high they washed right over the boat. The disciples were terrified. They thought they might drown. But Jesus still lay sleeping in the front of the boat.
Finally, someone went and shook Jesus. "Master," he cried, "don't you care if we drown?" Jesus looked around. He listened to the howling wind. He felt the cold, stinging spray as waves crashed over the little boat. He saw the fear in the faces of his disciples. Then Jesus stood, stretched out his arms to the wind and the waves, and commanded: "Peace! Be still!"
And all at once the wind died down and the waves became completely calm. Then he asked the disciples: "Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?"
Jesus showed his power over the wind and the waves that day on the Sea of Galilee. Just as he cared for his disciples in that little storm-tossed boat, he will care for you.
Then ask:
  • What happened that made the disciples feel unsafe? (Their boat got in a bad storm; they were afraid of drowning.)
  • What did they do to get help? (They woke Jesus up.)
  • What did Jesus do to make things okay again? (He told the wind and the waves to be still.)
  • How could he do that? (He's God's son-he can do anything.)
  • Can Jesus help us the way he helped the disciples in the storm? Why or why not? (Yes, Jesus can still do anything; no, he doesn't work that way now.)
Can Jesus help us even though we can't see him or touch him? Why or why not? (Yes, he's always with us; no, sometimes we don't ask him.)

 
 
Theme Verse:                     Psalm 50:15 & John 2:11
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble;” Psalm 50:15
 
“His disciples put their faith in Him.” John 2:11 (CEV)



Do It!
 
GAME:
Paper Ball Bail Out
 
If you were in a boat that was filling with water, what would you do? Let’s play Paper Ball Bail Out!
 
You’ll need: paper (lots of scrap sheets)
 
Divide group in half. Kids crumble paper to make paper balls.
 
At your signal, kids begin tossing paper balls out of their area and into the area occupied by the other half of the group. Kids keep tossing paper balls until you call “FREEZE!”
 
Kids stop and count paper balls on their side of the room. Repeat with kids tossing paper balls into large garbage bags.


Ocean Bags
Snack size zip locks work great for this craft. Place a small amount of blue toothpaste in the bag, seal it, and let the child spread the toothpaste out by rubbing over the bag. You can use stickers to stick on the outside or even place something small on the inside.
 
 
Using masking tape, make the shape of a boat on the floor.
 
“Have you ever felt afraid during a storm?”
“What can you do when you feel afraid?”
 

Make It!
Wave Streamers
Use blue and white or dark blue and light blue streamers to make this craft. Cut pieces of streamers and either tape or glue them to the end of a jumbo popsicle stick. The kids like to help make a storm by waving the streamers (waves) in the air and then stopping when you get to the part of the lesson where Jesus calms the storm.

Today’s Bible story is about a time when a big storm came up while Jesus and His disciples were out on the sea. Do you think they were afraid? Let's re-tell today's story and use our streamers to help with the wind and the waves.



Closing
 
Gather children around you.
 
Pray: Dear God, thank you for loving me and taking care of me. Thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.