YEA Lesson Library
Unforgettable Stories
About This Lesson
Using Jesus’ miracles of calming the storms and walking on water, this lesson teaches that we should have the faith to trust God and obey His commandments.
Scriptures
Psalm 46:1-3
Psalm 89:7-9
Psalm 107:28-31
Psalm 135:5-7
Amos 4:13
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 14:22-33
Mark 4:37-41
Mark 6:45-52
Luke 8:22-25
John 1:1
Hebrews 6:18-19
Words to Know
COURAGEOUS - fearless; brave; full of courage
DISCIPLES - students; learners; followers; believers
PARALYZED - make powerless or helplessly inactive
PREDICAMENT - an unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous situation
The Lesson
Have you ever been caught out in a thunderstorm? What about when you were on a camping trip with your family, or with the scouts, or at a summer camp, or just walking home from school? You probably didn’t mind getting a little wet, unless it was really cold. Sometimes, playing in the rain can be a lot of fun. At other times a violent storm can be very scary! When the wind is blowing violently, and the thunder and lightning are crashing all around, it can be a little scary – even for adults.
Think about the most violent, storm that you have been through. Was it a tornado, a hurricane or just a bad thunderstorm that was really noisy and scary? Imagine yourself out in the middle of a lake in a small fishing boat during that storm. Wouldn’t you have felt safer in your own home? Now imagine waves crashing against the boat and water coming over the sides. Would this paralyze you with fear for your life? Jesus’ disciples found themselves in just such a predicament on at least two occasions.
One day Jesus and His disciples got into a boat on the Sea of Galilee. He suggested that they go to the other side of the lake. On the way across Galilee, Jesus laid down for a nap. While He was sleeping a fierce storm came up and the wind began to blow. It blew so hard that it threatened to swamp their boat. Real fear set in because the disciples knew they were in danger – big time! Frankly, they were scared out of their wits. So they rushed over to Jesus and screamed over the noise of the howling wind, “Master we’re sinking!”
Jesus calmly said to the wind and waves, “Be still.” Immediately the wind and sea became completely calm. Awesome! Surely the disciples thought the sudden silence amazing! Doubtless, they all wondered, “Who is this Man that the wind and waves obey Him?” This was a story they would never forget!
On another occasion, Jesus told the disciples to get in their own boat and go across the lake. It wasn’t long before the wind and waves came up again. They knew they were in big trouble. Rowing the boat became increasingly difficult as they fought against the strong wind and waves. This was an all night fight.
At four in the morning it was still dark. They could see a figure off in the distance. As it drew near it began to take on the shape of a human being. It actually looked like a man was walking on the water. The disciples were scared almost to death. They were sure they saw a ghost and they cried out in fear! Jesus said, “Take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter had a habit of sticking his neck out more than any of the other disciples. With mixed emotions he tested the voice he had just heard. He yelled back at Jesus, “If it’s you Lord, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter got his wish. Jesus said, “Come on.” And Peter stepped over the side of the boat onto the water. He stood upright and started walking toward Jesus right on the water. Then he noticed how high and fierce the wind and waves were blowing. That was more than just a little scary.
Can you imagine yourself in a strong wind walking on top of the water with waves that could cover your head? Even though Peter had the courage to stick his neck out, this was a bit much for even him. He became afraid and began to sink. Again he cried out in fear. Jesus immediately grabbed his hand and lifted him up. Then they climbed back into the boat and the wind instantly stopped blowing. What a night! Peter would never forget it.
If this had happened to you, this would be a story you would never forget. You’d tell all of your friends about this one. But can you imagine the fear, the awe, and the questions the disciples had at this awesome power. It was power that only the very Son of God had! The disciples had been with Jesus day and night. He was a real person to them, and it was hard for them to fully realize that Jesus was more than a human being. Just like them, He had to eat food and drink water to live. He had to have hair cuts, and trim his fingernails. He bled when He cut His finger just like we do. He wept when His friend died. He was as human as they were!
Now let’s talk about how all of this made you feel. How did you feel about Peter when he became afraid of the high winds and waves and began to sink? Did you wonder why he didn’t have enough faith to walk all the way to Jesus. But remember, Peter was the only disciple who had enough faith to get out of the boat and go toward Jesus. He made a start and Jesus didn’t let him down. What about you? Do you have the faith to walk toward Jesus. He’s waiting for you to believe and obey Him. Are you ready to make your walk on water? Just as Jesus held out His hand to Peter, He’ll hold your hand all the way.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have made it plain in your Word that you have power over the forces of nature. Thank you for your protection from the violence of storms. Thank you for hearing our prayers for deliverance from danger. You always have your hand out to help us. Please give us the courage to keep our eyes focused on you and to trust you always.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Amos 4:13
Monday - Psalm 135:5-7
Tuesday - Mark 4:38-41
Wednesday - Hebrews 6:18-19
Thursday - Psalm 46:1-3
Friday - Psalm 107:28-31
Saturday - Psalm 89:7-9
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain that Jesus has power over the forces of nature.
2. Discuss that adults also fear the power of nature.
3. State that they can rely on God in times of need.
4. Explain that Jesus’ disciples had difficulty understanding that Jesus was both a human being and God in the flesh.
5. State that Jesus expects us to keep our eyes focused on Him and to trust Him all the way.
Topics & Themes
Disciples
Peter
Faith
Fear
God’s Omnipotence
Jesus, God the Son
Jesus, His Miracles
Calming the Storm
Walking on Water
Obedience
Peter
Sea of Galilee
Storms
Trusting God
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students and teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, songbook, CD/cassette tape, music player, kiddie pool, water, masking tape, aluminum foil, paper, string, glue, cardboard, paper clips, plastic cups, craft sticks, yarn, toothpicks, rubber bands and other materials you want to have on the table from which the students are to make their boats or rafts
How to Teach This Lesson
Start the lesson by telling the students that you want each one of them to make a boat or a raft out of the materials on the table. Then they are to select something personal to put on their boat to transport it to the other side of the lake (kiddie pool). This should be something they don’t mind getting wet such as a penny, shoe lace, etc. Give the class about 20 minutes to build their boats and put their personal item on it. Tell them that when they finish they will race their boats from one side of the lake to the other. But they will not be allow to touch the boat with their hands. Because they can’t touch their boat during the race, they will need to put a sail they can blow on or create some way to propel their boat.
When they finish making their boat, have all of the students put them in the kiddie pool filled about halfway up with water. After all of the boats are in the water, shout “go!” As the race begins, use your hand and go around and around in the water to create a whirlpool effect creating high waves. After the race is over, follow the questions laid out below in sequential order to complete the objectives above.
When you finished making your boat or raft did you trust it to transport your personal item across the lake? Why or why not? With the high waves, did you feel a certain hopelessness about getting your boat to the other side? How are the stories in our lesson like the project we’ve just done?
If you had been there, would you have done what Peter did? Why or why not? What happened to cause Peter to start sinking? He took His eyes off of Jesus and let the high waves zap him of his faith.
How do you think the disciples felt when the winds stopped, the waves calmed down and everything was silent? How do you think Peter felt?
Jesus is the One who created the universe and everything in it. How much power did that take? How difficult do you think it was for Him to calm a storm? How much do you trust Him to protect you when your life gets a little stormy? Are you willing to get out of the boat as Peter did and trust Jesus to see you through your storm? Are there times when we take our eyes off Jesus and begin to sink? How do we take our eyes off Jesus? Who can tell us about one situation this week where you will need to keep your eyes on Jesus and trust Him? What can you do to make sure you remember to trust Him?
Teacher-Directed Activity
The activity was done as a part of teaching the lesson.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight
Who is Jesus Christ? If someone were to ask you, would you have a ready answer? Read John 1:1-14 and compare the verses with those in Philippians 2:5-12. These verses explain the very being of Jesus Christ. In your Bible notebook record an answer to the question citing verses from John 1, Philippians 2, or other verses that support your answer. Share your answer with an adult and discuss how the answer can be given in love and humility to someone who does not know Jesus Christ.
Where in the World?
The Sea of Galilee is the site of many biblical events. Become a topographer and create a visual of the Sea of Galilee, past and present. Write a report of at least three biblical events that took place on or around the Sea of Galilee. Present your findings to the class or your family.
What is your “Sea of Galilee”? Under what circumstances have you become afraid and begun to sink? Record in your Bible notebook at least one time when you had the courage to keep your head above the water. Now, record when you have sunk and the consequences of your lack of courage. Spend time in prayer asking God for help in strengthening your faith and to have the courage to stand against the tide of peer pressure and worldly pursuits. You do not need to share your Bible notebook with anyone.
They Did What Back Then?
Jesus Christ called 12 men to follow Him and become fishers of men. Who were they and where did they come from? What were they doing before they were called to follow Jesus? In your Bible notebook list each man’s name and everything you know about him. Then compare what you wrote with Scripture. Use your Bible and Bible tools to fill in the blanks of your details. Record the Scripture verses where you found the information. When you finish you should have enough notes to write a biography of each disciple.
Write or type the 12 biographies and create a book to present to and teach a younger group of YEA students. If possible make one copy for each student. How did you feel teaching the younger students? Did you teach with someone or alone? How would you describe your teaching experience? Would you want to teach a YEA class again? Why or why not?
Share your answers to the following questions with a parent or teacher: 1. How did you feel after researching the 12 disciples? 2. Which man did you find the most and least interesting, and why? 3. Did any of the men know they were going to be asked to follow Jesus? 4. How are you preparing yourself to follow Jesus Christ?
Making It Mine
Some stories are unforgettable, but with time, details get a little fuzzy and you can start to doubt that you actually experienced what you experienced. Make it a priority today to start a journal, or a separate section in your Bible notebook, where you can record things God has done for you. When God answers a prayer, remember to write it down. When God intervenes and works something out for your good, write it down. Writing it down does a couple of things: a written record helps you remember details some time later in your life (a faith-builder), and it reminds you to thank and praise God for what He’s done for you.
Some of the things you write down will be unbelievable to others: they didn’t experience what you did, and they may doubt that God was even involved. That’s what makes your belief in God a matter of faith—it is not provable that God did something for you. But you are convinced of it. So remember, you can share this part of your journal with others, but it has the most meaning for you. In fact, it’s very important to you. It helps build and maintain your faith as you walk with your God and Savior.
Worldview Collision
There is great pride in the United States that we are a nation that was able to pull itself up by its bootstraps. We, a nation of pioneers, took raw materials and we made this country great by blood, sweat, and tears. Yes, the people of the United States worked hard, but it is not true that they did it by themselves. It is a false worldview that says given the opportunity, you can do anything. The Bible says it is God who causes us to stand or to fall (Romans 14:4). It is God who sets up and takes down kings and rulers (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:20-21). It is by God’s grace that we go where we do each day (James 4:14-15). Yes, you have to work hard to achieve great things, but without God at the center, guiding and directing, they are but a chasing after the wind (John 15:5).
Song
“Great is The Lord” is on page 62 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Form a circle with the students and have everyone hold hands. Ask one of them to lead in prayer asking God to give them enough faith to trust Him when their life gets stormy.
Printable Pages
