This lesson teaches children that Jesus is with us even when we are scared, and that he can calm the storms in our lives. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is always near us, even when things feel scary. When we are afraid, we can call out to him, and he will help us and say, “Don’t be afraid.”
Memory Verse
Matthew 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
(WEB)
Have the children sit tall, then put both hands up like waves, wiggling their fingers. When you say “Cheer up! It is I!” have them give a big thumbs up and then wrap their arms around themselves in a hug. Say the verse together three times, doing the motions each time.
The Story: Matthew 14 for Kids
One day, a good man named John the Baptizer was put in prison by a king named Herod. Herod did something wrong, and John had told him the truth about it. Later, Herod gave a party, and the king’s stepdaughter danced for everyone. Herod was so pleased that he promised to give her anything she wanted. Her mother told her to ask for John’s head, and sadly, that is what happened.
When Jesus heard the news, he wanted some quiet time. He got into a boat and went to a lonely place to be alone. But many people followed him on foot. Jesus felt sorry for them, so he healed the sick people who were there. As evening came, the disciples said, “Let’s send these people home so they can buy food.” Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”
The disciples only had five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took them, looked up to heaven, and blessed the food. Then he gave it to the disciples to pass out. Everyone ate until they were full, and there were even twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand men ate that day, not counting the women and children.
Later that night, Jesus sent his disciples ahead in a boat while he went up a mountain to pray. The wind blew hard, and the waves tossed the boat around. Early in the morning, Jesus came walking toward them on top of the water! The disciples were terrified and thought he was a ghost. But Jesus said, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on the waves. But when he saw the wind, he got scared and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reached out, grabbed his hand, and lifted him up. When they got into the boat, the wind stopped, and everyone worshiped Jesus, saying, “You really are the Son of God!”
Read It Together
Matthew 14:29-30
29 He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
(WEB)
Point out that Peter was walking on water because Jesus invited him. When Peter looked at the strong wind instead of Jesus, he started to sink. Ask the children what Peter could have done differently when he felt scared.
Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(WEB)
Show how quickly Jesus responded to Peter’s cry for help. Jesus reached out right away and held onto him. Talk about how Jesus does the same for us when we call out to him.
Matthew 14:19-20
19 He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
(WEB)
Point out that a small lunch became enough food for thousands of people. Explain that Jesus can take the little we have and do big things with it. Ask the children what small gift they could offer to help someone else.
Talk About It
- How do you feel when you are scared, and what can you do to remember Jesus is with you?
- Why do you think Peter got scared when he looked at the wind?
- What did the disciples learn about Jesus when he calmed the wind?
- How did Jesus help the people who were sick and hungry?
- When is a time you could call out to Jesus for help?
Activity Ideas
Waves and Wind Craft
You will need paper plates, blue and white paint or crayons, cotton balls, and glue. Have children paint or color their plate blue to look like the sea. Then they glue cotton ball clouds in the top corner and a small paper boat near the middle. As they work, talk about how Jesus was with the disciples in the boat.
Walk on the Water Game
You will need masking tape or painter’s tape and a open space. Make a long line on the floor with tape to represent the water. Have one child walk slowly across the line while the others call out, “Jesus is with you!” Take turns so everyone gets a chance to walk the line and hear the encouragement.
Five Loaves Snack Take-Home
You will need five crackers and two small cookies or cheese slices for each child, plus a small paper bag. Put the snack in the bag and write “Jesus is with me!” on the outside. Send the bag home with the children and ask them to share the snack with someone in their family and tell them the story.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that Jesus has power over every storm, whether it is in the wind or in our hearts. Adults can take comfort that Jesus sees our fear and reaches out to help even when our faith is weak. The miracle of feeding the crowd also reminds us that Jesus provides for his people in surprising ways.
Be careful not to suggest that children will always be rescued from every danger in the same way Peter was. Focus on the truth that Jesus is with us and hears our prayers, rather than promising that every fear will disappear right away.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for being with us when we feel scared. When the waves are high, help us remember your voice saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Thank you for your love and your help every day. Amen.
