Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: toy boat, people figures (Jesus and disciples), blue cloth or paper for water, cotton for “waves.”
- Table: coloring page of Jesus in a boat with waves, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear how Jesus calmed a scary storm.”
- “The disciples were afraid in the boat.”
- “Jesus is stronger than storms and is with us when we are afraid.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 2 – When I look
Song 3 – “Follow, Follow Jesus”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Follow, follow Jesus,
Every single day.
He will show the way to go,
I will trust and obey.”
Motions: walk in place on “follow,” point up on “Jesus,” tap ear on “show the way.”
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 2 – When I look
Song 3 – “Follow, Follow Jesus”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Follow, follow Jesus,
Every single day.
He will show the way to go,
I will trust and obey.”
Motions: walk in place on “follow,” point up on “Jesus,” tap ear on “show the way.”
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: boat with disciples, blue cloth for water, maybe a fan or your hands to show wind.
a) Boat in a storm
Place Jesus and disciples in the boat on the “water.”
b) Disciples ask Jesus for help
Move disciples toward Jesus.
c) Jesus calms the storm
Stand Jesus up in the boat. Use a firm, calm voice.
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Show muscles on “stronger.”
Wiggle fingers like rain/waves on “storms.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “Jesus is with me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) Boat in a storm
Place Jesus and disciples in the boat on the “water.”
- “The Bible tells us that Jesus and His friends, the disciples, got into a boat to cross a lake. At first, the water was calm. Jesus was tired, so He fell asleep in the boat.”
- “Suddenly, a big storm came. The wind blew hard. The waves splashed into the boat. The boat went up and down. The disciples were very afraid.”
b) Disciples ask Jesus for help
Move disciples toward Jesus.
- “The water was filling the boat. The disciples thought they might sink. They woke Jesus up and said, ‘Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?’ They were scared and wanted Jesus to help them.”
c) Jesus calms the storm
Stand Jesus up in the boat. Use a firm, calm voice.
- “Jesus stood up and spoke to the wind and the waves. He said, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Right away, the wind stopped. The waves became calm. The storm was gone. Everything was quiet.”
- “The disciples were amazed. They said, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!’ Jesus showed that He is powerful—He is God’s Son.”
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.”
Motions:
Show muscles on “stronger.”
Wiggle fingers like rain/waves on “storms.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “Jesus is with me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jesus connection (our fears)
Hold Jesus and the group of friends.
“Sometimes we feel like we are in a ‘storm’ too—not with rain, but with things that scare us: loud noises, darkness, new places, or people being unkind. The Bible shows us that Jesus is with us when we are afraid. We can talk to Him and trust Him. Jesus is stronger than any storm in our hearts.”
Hold Jesus and the group of friends.
“Sometimes we feel like we are in a ‘storm’ too—not with rain, but with things that scare us: loud noises, darkness, new places, or people being unkind. The Bible shows us that Jesus is with us when we are afraid. We can talk to Him and trust Him. Jesus is stronger than any storm in our hearts.”
Craft – “Jesus in the Boat”
Goal: Boat-in-storm craft with “Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.”
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
Have them hold up their craft and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them glue the boat in the middle, on the “water” area.
- Glue Jesus and the disciples inside the boat.
- Add cotton or white paper around the boat for “waves,” maybe some raindrop scribbles.
- Write the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.”
- For some pictures, you can show half the water “stormy” and half “calm.”
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows Jesus and His friends in a boat with big waves. Jesus told the storm to stop, and it obeyed Him. When you feel afraid, you can remember that Jesus is with you and stronger than any storm. Say: ‘Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.’”
Have them hold up their craft and say:
- “Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.”
Supplies
- Half sheet blue paper (water/sky) or white paper to color.
- Brown boat shape to glue.
- Small Jesus and disciple figures or simple drawn stick figures.
- Cotton balls or torn white paper for waves.
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus is stronger than storms. Jesus is with me.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
