In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is stronger than any storm and that they can trust him when they feel scared. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, using the story of Mark 4:35 to 41 as its main passage.
Big Idea
Jesus is with us in scary times, and he has power over every storm. We can always tell him when we are afraid, and we can trust him to keep us safe.
Memory Verse
Mark 4:39
He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up, palms out, like a stop sign, then slowly bring them down flat on the table as they say the verse. Let them shout “Peace!” as they push their hands down, so the motion helps them remember that Jesus is the one who makes the storm be still.
The Story: Mark 4 for Kids
One day Jesus was teaching a big crowd by the sea. He told them stories about a farmer who planted seeds, and some seeds grew into healthy plants. The crowd listened carefully, and the disciples listened too. Later that evening, Jesus turned to his friends and said, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.”
So Jesus and his disciples climbed into a boat and sailed away from the crowd. Other small boats sailed with them. Jesus was so tired from teaching all day that he lay down in the back of the boat and fell fast asleep on a cushion. The disciples kept rowing and sailing across the water.
Then a huge windstorm came up very suddenly. Big waves crashed over the sides of the boat, and water began filling it up. The disciples were terrified. They shook Jesus awake and cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?” They were so scared that they forgot he was right there with them.
Jesus stood up and looked at the wind and the sea. He spoke to them the way you might speak to someone who is being noisy. “Peace! Be still!” At once the wind stopped blowing, and the water became completely calm and quiet. The disciples were amazed.
Then Jesus looked at his friends and asked them gently, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith?” The disciples were filled with wonder. They asked one another, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Read It Together
Mark 4:35-36
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus decided to go across the lake with his friends, and that they took him along in the boat just as he was. Ask the children to notice that the disciples did not have to sail alone, because Jesus was already in the boat with them.
Mark 4:37-38
37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. 38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”
(WEB)
Show the children how big the storm was and how scared the disciples felt. Help them see that the disciples were honest with Jesus about their fear and asked him for help, even though they had not yet understood who he was.
Mark 4:40-41
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus asked his friends a question about their fear and their faith. Explain that the disciples were amazed because even the wind and the sea listened to Jesus, which showed them that he had great power.
Talk About It
- What did the disciples do when the storm got scary, and what would you do if you were in a storm like that?
- How do you think the disciples felt when the water started coming into the boat?
- Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep in the middle of the storm?
- What is something that makes you feel scared sometimes, and how can you tell Jesus about it?
- What did the disciples learn about Jesus when the wind and the waves listened to him?
Activity Ideas
Storm and Calm Painting
You will need paper, blue and gray crayons or watercolors, and cotton balls. Let each child draw a stormy sea using dark colors and then dab on some white cotton balls for waves. Afterward, have them draw a small boat with Jesus in it and a calm, sunny sky above. Talk together about how the picture changed from scary to peaceful when Jesus was in the boat.
Peace, Be Still Freeze Game
Ask the children to move around the room like wind and waves, waving their arms and stomping their feet. When you call out “Peace, be still!” they must freeze in place like a calm lake. Play several rounds, and let a child take a turn being Jesus. This game helps children remember that Jesus can calm the storm.
Storm Shaker Jar for Home
You will need a clean plastic bottle, water, a little blue food coloring, and a spoonful of glitter or small beads. Fill the bottle most of the way with water, add the coloring and glitter, then close the lid tightly. Let the child shake the bottle like a storm and watch it slowly settle. Encourage them to say the memory verse each time the glitter settles, and talk about how Jesus brings peace to our hearts.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus has complete authority over nature and that he is present with his people in frightening circumstances. The disciples’ question reveals how easily fear can crowd out remembering who Jesus is, and Jesus’ gentle rebuke invites every believer to bring their fears to him honestly. Adults can take comfort that God’s care does not depend on calm seas.
Be careful not to promise children that bad things will never happen to them or that prayer will always stop their storms in the same way. Explain instead that Jesus is with us and has power over everything, even when we still face hard things. Children may need reassurance that being afraid is not wrong, but that Jesus invites us to trust him.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, we thank you that you are stronger than every storm. When we feel scared, help us remember that you are right here with us in the boat. Teach us to bring our fears to you and to trust you more each day. Amen.
