In this lesson, children learn that Jesus takes care of people when they are hungry and afraid, and that they can trust Him even when things feel scary. This lesson works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is always with us, and He can take care of us in every situation, even when we feel afraid or hungry.
Memory Verse
Matthew 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
(WEB)
Ask children to hold both hands up like a stop sign when they say “Don’t be afraid,” then wave them gently side to side like waves on the water. Say the verse together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Matthew 14 for Kids
One day, Jesus heard some very sad news. His friend John the Baptist had been put in prison and then taken away from the world. Jesus felt very sad, so He got into a boat and went to a quiet place by Himself to rest and pray.
But many people heard where He was going and followed Him on foot. When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw a huge crowd, and He felt sorry for them. He spent time healing the people who were sick. Then evening came, and everyone was getting hungry.
The disciples said, “Jesus, send the people away so they can go buy food.” But Jesus said, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.” The disciples only had five small loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus asked them to bring the food to Him. He thanked God for it, broke it into pieces, and gave it to the disciples to pass out.
Everyone ate until they were full, and there was even food left over! That night, Jesus sent the disciples across the lake in their boat, and He went up on a mountain alone to pray. Later, when it was dark, the disciples were rowing hard because the wind was blowing against them and the waves were tossing their boat around.
Jesus came walking toward them on top of the water! The disciples were scared and thought He was a ghost. But Jesus called out, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” Peter said, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come!” Peter climbed out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. When Peter looked at the strong wind, he got scared and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” Right away, Jesus reached out, caught him, and helped him back into the boat. The wind stopped, and the disciples worshiped Jesus, saying, “You really are the Son of God!”
Read It Together
Matthew 14:14
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus saw the crowd and felt sorry for them, and then He helped them. Ask children to notice that Jesus cared about people’s hurts, not only about their big crowds.
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)
Show how a small amount of food became enough for everyone. Explain that God can take the little we have and use it in big ways when we trust Him.
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)
Point out that Jesus reached out right away to Peter when he started to sink. Tell children that Jesus is always ready to help us the moment we call on Him.
Talk About It
- How do you think the disciples felt when they saw Jesus walking on the water?
- What did Jesus do when Peter started to sink, and what does that tell us about Him?
- When have you felt scared, and what could you remember about Jesus at that moment?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to feed the people, even with only a little food?
- What is one way you can show someone that Jesus cares about them this week?
Activity Ideas
Waves and Wind Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a boat on a blue sea with some waves, then add Jesus standing on the water with His arm stretched out to help. Let them color it in and talk about what they drew while you look at the pictures together.
Walk on the Water Game
You will need a few pieces of masking tape or sheets of paper to make a path on the floor. Have children take turns walking slowly along the path, pretending it is water, while the rest of the class calls out “Don’t be afraid!” Remind them that Jesus helps us when we trust Him, even when things feel wobbly.
Five Loaves Snack Card
You will need a small paper plate, five crackers, and two pretzel sticks or grapes for the fish. Let each child arrange their snack on the plate and tell the story of how Jesus fed the crowd. Then have them take the card home as a reminder to share with their family during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows Jesus as both compassionate and powerful. He grieves the death of John, yet still stops to heal and feed the crowds, and He walks on the sea to reach His frightened disciples. The chapter invites us to see that Christ’s care reaches into every kind of need.
Be careful not to suggest that children must have enough faith to walk on water before Jesus will help them. Peter’s story shows that Jesus reaches for us even when our faith is small, so keep the focus on Jesus’ faithfulness rather than on the size of our faith.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You that You see us and care for us. When we feel scared or hungry, help us remember that You are near. Teach us to trust You every day. Amen.
