In this lesson, children learn that Jesus wants us to hear God’s word, believe it, and trust him even when we feel afraid. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is good and powerful, so we can listen to his word and trust him, even when storms and scary things come.
Memory Verse
Luke 8:21
But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands over their ears, then slowly open their hands and move them out wide like a book opening. Say the verse together, doing the motion each time you reach the word “hear.”
The Story: Luke 8 for Kids
Jesus traveled from town to town, telling people about God’s kingdom. He told a story about a farmer who went out to plant seeds. Some seeds fell on the hard path and birds ate them. Some fell on rocky ground and dried up. Some fell among thorns and got choked. But some seeds fell on good soil and grew into a big harvest. Jesus said the seed is God’s word, and the good soil is the heart that hears it and holds on to it.
One evening Jesus got into a boat with his friends to cross the lake. Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a big storm came, and the waves splashed into the boat. The friends were scared and woke Jesus up, saying, “Master, we are dying!” Jesus stood up and told the wind and the waves to be quiet. Right away the storm stopped and everything was calm. Then Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?”
When they reached the other side, a man who was controlled by many evil spirits ran out to meet Jesus. He lived among the tombs and nobody could hold him. Jesus told the evil spirits to come out of the man. The man sat down at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind. Jesus said to him, “Go home and tell people what great things God has done for you.” So the man went all over town telling everyone about Jesus.
Back on the shore, a crowd was waiting for Jesus. A leader of the synagogue named Jairus fell at Jesus’ feet and asked him to come heal his daughter, who was very sick. On the way, a woman who had been sick for twelve years touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak, and she was healed right away. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Then some people came and told Jairus that his daughter had died. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” When Jesus got to the house, he took the girl by the hand and said, “Child, arise!” She got up right away, and her parents were amazed.
Read It Together
Luke 8:4-8
4 When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable. 5 “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8 Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
(WEB)
Point out the four kinds of ground in the parable. Ask the children which ground they want their hearts to be like, and help them see that God’s word grows in hearts that keep listening and holding on.
Luke 8:24-25
24 They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
(WEB)
Show how the friends were scared during the storm but Jesus had power over the wind and waves. Point out Jesus’ question, “Where is your faith?” and explain that trusting Jesus means remembering he is with us even when things feel scary.
Luke 8:48
He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus called the woman “daughter” and gave her peace. Tell the children that Jesus cares about each person who comes to him in faith, no matter how small or quiet their request.
Talk About It
- What kind of ground do you think your heart is like most of the time, and what can help it grow good fruit?
- Tell about a time you felt scared. What helped you feel brave?
- Why do you think the friends were surprised that Jesus could calm the storm?
- What good things do you think the man who was healed wanted to tell his town?
- How can you show that you listen to God’s word and do what it says this week?
Activity Ideas
Seed Jar Drawing
You will need a paper cup, a little soil, a bean seed, and a marker. Let each child draw a heart on the cup, then plant the seed in the soil. Explain that the seed is God’s word and the heart is where it grows, and water it together each week.
Storm Calm Freeze Game
Turn on some soft music to be the wind, and let the children move around the room like waves. When you say “Calm,” they freeze like Jesus calmed the lake. Play a few rounds and talk about how Jesus is more powerful than any storm.
Take-Home Listening Ears
Give each child a paper plate and a pencil. Have them draw ears on the plate and write “I will listen to God” on the back. Encourage them to take it home and keep it by their bed as a reminder to hear and do God’s word.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is the Son of God who has authority over nature, demons, sickness, and even death. It also shows that hearing God’s word is not enough by itself; we must hold it and live it out. Faith is trust that grows when we bring our fears to Jesus.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that faith guarantees every healing or that a bad thing never happens to a believer. Focus instead on the truth that Jesus is powerful, kind, and near us in every situation.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for speaking to us through your word. Help us listen carefully, hold on tightly, and trust you when we feel scared. Thank you that you are stronger than any storm and always near us. Amen.
