Say: Today we're going to listen to a really scary 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 (Click here
for the story), 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. 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.)
