YEA Lesson Library
Jesus Walks on Water
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches about the storm, Jesus walking on the water, and calling Peter to walk to Him. It encourages the student to pray to God when he needs help.
Scriptures
Zephaniah 3:12
Matt 14:22-33
Matthew 14:27
Mark 6:45-52
John 6:15-21
1 Timothy 4:10
Hebrews 2:13
Hebrews 11:1
Words to Know
DANGEROUS - not safe
FRIGHTENED - afraid
GHOST - not a real person, a spirit
The Lesson
In last week’s lesson Jesus and His disciples went across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus took one little boy’s lunch and fed over 5000 people. That was a miracle! Jesus could do things that no one else could do. Today we will learn about another miracle. This time Jesus helped the disciples when they were afraid.
It was the day after Jesus had fed 5000 people. He and the disciples were going back across the Sea of Galilee. But a storm was coming. They saw the dark clouds in the sky. It was getting very dark. Jesus said to the disciples, “Row your boat to the other side. I’ll meet you there.” Jesus wanted to say goodbye to the people and go up onto the mountain to pray. So the disciples did what Jesus told them.
The disciples were in the middle of the sea. The wind blew really hard and the boat tossed back and forth. It was very hard to keep from turning over. It was dangerous to be out on the sea in such a storm.
Jesus knew His disciples were in trouble. He knew they were frightened. So, early in the morning Jesus walked out to help them. Yes, that’s right! Jesus walked right on top of the water. No, He wasn’t swimming. No one else had ever walked on water.
The disciples were watching the storm and the waves. Then they saw something. “What is that?” they asked.
It was someone walking on the water. They were even more afraid. What could it mean? Someone screamed, “It’s a ghost!”
Jesus said, “It’s all right. Be brave! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter cried out, “Lord, is it really you? If it is, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus told Peter to come to Him. So Peter put his feet over the side of the boat and stood up. He started walking on the water toward Jesus. But, Peter looked at the high waves. They really scared him. What do you think happened? Because Peter didn’t trust Jesus, he started sinking! He called out, “Save me, Lord!”
Jesus put out His hand and saved Peter from drowning. “O man of little faith,” Jesus said. “Why didn’t you trust me?” Then Jesus climbed into their boat. The wind and waves stopped! The disciples didn’t know what to think. The storm had scared them. They saw Jesus walk on water. They saw Peter walk on water. They saw Jesus save Peter. And they saw Jesus calm the storm. “You must really be God’s Son,” they said. They knew only God had power to do all of these things.
Jesus is your best Friend. He wants to help you when you are in trouble, too. There is one thing you have to do when you’re in trouble. You have to ask Jesus to help you. That is what you do when you pray.
Most of the time we pray on our knees. But we can pray anywhere. Sometimes we just think our prayers. No one else hears us but our Friend Jesus. He is always listening for your pray.
Student Prayer
Our Wonderful Father, thank you for our Friend Jesus. He saved Peter when he was sinking. You can save me when I’m in trouble. Help me to always remember to pray for your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Mark 6:45-50
Monday - Mark 6:51-52
Tuesday - John 6:15-21
Wednesday - Hebrews 11:1
Thursday - Hebrews 2:13
Friday - Zephaniah 3:12
Saturday - 1 Timothy 4:10
YEAH — At-Home Activity
1. Picture This. Read/tell the lesson with the students. You’ll need full-color pictures of lakes, the ocean, mountains, storms, etc. Old calendars and magazines are wonderful for craft time!! Have each student pick one picture. Direct each student to talk about the picture they chose and how it relates to the lesson. For instance, a student who has chosen a calm lake picture might say that this is what the lake would look like after Jesus calmed the storm. A student who has chosen a mountain scene might cite “I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?” Psalm 121. (Make sure you give the students an example of what you want them to do before they choose their picture.) Once everyone has talked about their picture, give them a piece of transparency film and a permanent marker. Have them write the memory verse on the transparency film. Use strips of colored construction paper to frame the picture and secure the transparency on top of the calendar/magazine picture. (Materials needed: colorful pictures, transparency film, sharpies, glue, construction paper strips, Bible, student quarterly)
2. Wash Basin. Read/tell the lesson with the students. Then do the REACh activity #2 - only instead of putting the paper boats and people in the bathroom sink, allow each student to have a wash basin to put them in. (Caution the students to be careful not to get themselves all wet!!! Note to self: bring some extra towels!) These hands-on activities which can cause such a mess make an indelible impression on these young minds.
3. Jesus Saves. Using 8.5 x 11 printer paper and one piece of construction paper, make a booklet by folding the paper in half and stapling it on the crease. Have the students begin a project of faith. On the left hand side of the page, draw/color a picture of a Bible story of faith (Noah, Daniel, David and Goliath, Gideon, the Feeding of the 5000, Jesus walks on water, etc.). Have the students talk with family and church friends. Ask them about times when they believe God has saved them, rescued them, provided for them. Record these stories (one for each page) on the right hand side of the book. This can be an ongoing project
4. A Boat in the Storm. Read/tell the lesson with the students. Tape two (or three) 6-ft pieces of butcher paper together. Draw the outline of a boat (bird’s eye view - looking down from above) in the middle of the paper. Paint brown with tempera paint. Add benches and details as you have time. There should be room for all the students to be inside. On the outside of the boat, draw waves. Use dark blue tempera paint and fairly large paint brushes to make the waves and cover the area. (All of the boat drawing and wave painting can be done ahead of time or during class as time permits.) Once the wave paint is dry, use a black sharpie to write words on the waves - words which describe the storms in our lives: physical storms: tornado, hurricane, blizzard, thunderstorm; life storms: illness, disease, injury; relational: divorce, bullies, arguments, relocation, death; spiritual battles; temptations; trials. Once the students have written all of these words on the waves, have them paint over the words with a light blue/royal blue. Remind them that Jesus has all of our storms under control. He is sovereign. There is nothing that happens to us of which He is not aware. Sometimes He allows the storms to rage; sometimes we make very poor choices which put us into storms. But He is there and will help us through the storms of life. Prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, daily praise - make these things an integral part of your life.
5. Storms Around Us. Read/tell the lesson with the students. Have an 8 x 10 picture frame for each student. (You can get inexpensive ones at Dollar General/Dollar Tree.) Cut poster board the exact size to fit in the frame. Take a picture of each student and print 2 x 3-inch photos. (Either take the photos a week ahead of time or plan to give the project to the students next Sabbath.) Have the students color the paper to look like a storm: waves, dark clouds, lightning, etc. They can use markers, paint, crayons, colored pencils. Affix the photo in the center of the paper. Write the memory verse on a white strip to put along the bottom. Or write “Jesus Saves” along the top. The students may wish to add storm words - the stressful things in their lives - in the midst of the waves. Once the picture is done, frame it and send it home with the students to remind them that Jesus is with them in the midst of the storm.
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Describe how Jesus has the power to stop a storm and calm the sea.
2. State that Jesus can help them when they are afraid.
3. Explain that Jesus is their friend.
4. Explain that they can pray anywhere, even silently.
5. Recite their memory verse.
Topics & Themes
Calming the Storm
Faith
Fear
God’s omnipotence
Jesus, God the Son
Jesus, His Miracles
Walking on Water
Jesus Sets Example
Obedience
Peter
Prayer
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA student’s and teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse chart, stars, 8 1⁄2 x 11" sheets of paper, music player and music CD/cassette and songbook.
Preparation
Six to eight year old children learn about God from their families and teachers. Sometimes the home does not provide the secure environment that it should. Sabbath Schools cannot only provide it, but can also reinforce it with the right teachings. Here are just a few ways to help the children feel loved and secure in Sabbath School.
• Tell the children that you will contact their parents quickly should there be an emergency. Keep a list of home phone numbers just in case the parent is not at Sabbath services.
• Be attentive to children who have difficulty paying attention. His or her mischievous behavior could make other children in the classroom feel unsafe. Getting the child involved will go a long way to holding his or her attention and improving their behavior. Then give a lot of praise and positive reinforcement.
• Have rules to help the children know the limits. They will feel happier and more secure.
• Six to eight year old children like variety, but they also need consistency as well. Make sure that some parts of the lesson are presented in the same order each week.
• When you are planning to be away for the Sabbath, let the children know ahead of time. Bring the substitute teacher into the classroom and introduce her to the children. Tell them what the lessons will be about while you are gone and mention some good things about your replacement.
How to Teach This Lesson
This lesson focuses on a time when Peter felt very insecure, yet Christ rescued him. It gives the opportunity to begin build- ing faith in the only secure source there really is – our God and Savior.
As the children arrive, greet them warmly. Begin a conversation about storms. Get them to tell what they do when dark clouds come up and the wind starts to blow. Ask if loud claps of thunder and lightening flashing through the sky scare them. You might even share some of your own fears with them so that they will realize that even adults are fearful at times.
“When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water he wanted to do it too. Dear, lovable, impetuous Peter! But he began to sink. Then Jesus chided him for his lack of faith. To us it seems that Peter had a good deal of faith, to even try it – a good deal according to man’s way of looking at things, but in Jesus’ eyes so little” (Halley’s Bible Handbook, page 539).
Emphasize that Peter was not afraid of the storm as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and obeyed Him. But, when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the storm, he was afraid for his safety. Jesus’ message to us throughout the Bible is to “fear not.” The book of Psalms tells us that we don’t have to fear man, the terror by night or evil tidings. Jeremiah and Isaiah tell us the reason that we need not fear – because God is with us.
The remedy for overcoming our fears is to focus on God and His power not on the circumstances of life. He is waiting, ready to help and strengthen us if we will just ask Him in prayer.
Review Questions
1. Where was Jesus when the storm came up?
2. What did Jesus do when He saw His
3. Who wanted to walk on the water like Jesus?
4. How can you get Jesus to help when you are in trouble?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a sheet of 8 1⁄2 x 11" paper. Following the diagram below, step by step, help the children fold their paper into a sailboat. Have them write, “Don’t be afraid” on their boat. Now go around the room and ask each child to tell how or when Jesus keeps them safe. If they need prompting, make some suggestions, such as in a storm, the dark, when they are in danger, etc.
REACH Activity
1. Draw a picture of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Draw the boat with the disciples in it. Draw a man walking on the water to them. Use a conversation bubble to write your memory verse on the drawing.
2. Make a paper boat. Make paper people to put in the boat. Put the boat and people into your bathroom sink. Use your hands to make the waves. Can you imagine how afraid the disciples might have been in the storm? Now have one of the people walk on the water to the man. As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he started to sink. Let your paper person start to sink. Jesus lifted Peter back up and climbed into the boat. Then the storm stopped. Stop making waves with your hand. Can you imagine how amazed the disciples would have been? Jesus walked on water. Peter walked on water toward Jesus. Jesus calmed the storm.
3. Role play this YEA lesson. Take turns being Peter, the disciples in the boat, and Jesus.
4. Do a sword drill with the Daily Devotional Scriptures. (See Notes section for directions.)
5. Sing: “Jesus Saves” on page 42 of the CEM Hymnal. Read the words to the verses and talk about them before singing the song.
6. Our God is more powerful than anything in this world. Sing: “My God is So Big” on page 14 of the Kids Classics Collection. Make up actions to go with the words you are singing.
7. Make a get-well card to send to someone who is ill. Remind them that God is stronger than the storm. Tell them about this YEA lesson. Remind them that we can trust God, no matter what.
8. Use an encyclopedia to answer: How do storms develop?Which season of the year is the stormiest in the region of the United States where you live? How much rain falls each year where you live? Buy or make a rain gauge and find out.
9. Write a song to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Use the story from the YEA lesson.
10. Everyone gets frightened or afraid sometimes. Write down what makes you afraid. Then write a prayer asking God to help you next time you are afraid.
11. Write a play about the YEA lesson. Give the play a title. Find props. Use sound effects. Put the play on for family or friends. Serve popcorn.
12. What is a friend? Write your definition. Draw a picture of yourself with your friend. Give it to them. Tell them why you drew the picture.
13. Draw a mural of what it might have looked like during the storm. Use details from the YEA lesson. Use the mural to retell the story.
14. Jesus talks about faith in other Bible verses. Use a Bible and a concordance to find at least two more. Share with family and friends.
15. Create a rhythm clap for the memory verse. Clap at each syllable. Practice and memorize the verse. Teach it to someone else.
16. Sing: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on page 66 of the CEM Hymnal.
Song
“Isn’t He Wonderful” is on page 42 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Ask one of the children to lead in prayer. Suggest that he or she thank God for keeping them safe.
Printable Pages
