Have you ever felt like a boat in the middle of a horrific storm? As if you are being tossed in every direction and you don’t which way you are going? We are living in a time where we can often feel just like that; out of control and unable to get our bearings. But there is hope. Hope is not “wishing” that things would be better. I once heard that hope is the joyful, confident expectation of good things. Is that the kind of hope you have?
In our story today, Jesus calmed the storm just be speaking the word, “stop.” It is Jesus that can calm the storms in our lives. His power is amazing! It is because Jesus has the power to calm our storms that we should be joyful. Because of Jesus we can have a confident expectation of good things. Jesus is hope.
This week, we want our kids to see how amazing the power of Jesus can be. While they may not yet understand the storms of life, this is a great building block to show His power over an actual storm. It is my prayer that this story would be written in our kids’ hearts so later, when they are in the middle of a storm in life, they will put their hope in Jesus and turn to Him so he can tell the storm, “Stop.”
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ power is amazing. (Calming the Storm • Matthew 8:23-27)
Memory Verse: “Everyone who heard him was amazed.” Luke 2:47, NIV
Key Question: Who is amazing?
Bottom Line: Jesus is amazing.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bringing Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship. Most of us think of worship as just singing. But whatever you do, if you do it for God, then you are worshiping God. So, help show your kids this concept as you sing and dance with them for our amazing God.
Bible Story Video – Jesus Calms the Storm
Worship – He Is Amazing
Worship – Joyful Noise
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice the verse with your kids. We will practice this verse all month so think of a reward you can give them at the end of the month when they say it all by themselves. The activity sheet is a fun resource to help reinforce what they have learned.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory verse again. Talk with your kids about how we all get scared sometimes. Strange dogs, a new babysitter, or bad storms, like the one Jesus’ friends were afraid of, can scare anyone. But we do not have to be afraid because another amazing thing about Jesus is that He is always with us. Have each family member say one thing they are afraid of and you the list when you pray.
PRAYER: “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to help us when we’re afraid. Help [child’s name] remember that Jesus is with [him/her] when [he/she] is afraid of [what child listed]. Help [family member’s name] remember that Jesus is with . . . (continue with each family member.) Jesus is amazing because He has the power to do anything! You are the best, God, and we love You very much. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 19:14
