Big Idea: I can ask Jesus for help.
Bible Basis: Mark 4:35-41
Key Verse: “[God] (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
In today’s story, we learned that Jesus has the power to stop storms. What else do you think Jesus has the power to do?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Freeze Dance
- Supplies: music player, worship song
- Directions: Play a high-energy praise song. While the music plays, dance and wiggle with the children. At various points throughout the song, shout “Quiet! Be still!” then pause the music. When the music is paused, everyone must freeze and stay as still as possible until the music plays again. Un-pause the music and continue dancing. Repeat until the song is all finished.
- Say: That was so much fun! In today’s true Bible story, Jesus shouted “Quiet! Be still!” But He didn’t stop a dance party—He stopped something much bigger. We’re going to find out what it was and learn that we can ask Jesus for help.
- Question: Have you ever been on a boat? What was it like?
+ Storm Stoppers
- Supplies: bed sheet, beach ball or something similar
- Say: In our Bible story for today, there was a big storm that tossed and turned the disciples’ boat. But then Jesus said, “Quiet! Be still!” and the waves became calm again. We’re going to play a game that reminds us of how Jesus stopped the storm.
- Directions: Spread the bedsheet on the floor. Have the children stand around the sheet, then pick it up by the edge and pull it somewhat taut. Toss a ball into the middle of the sheet. Tell the children to imagine that the sheet is the lake and the ball is the boat. Have the children shake the sheet so the ball tosses and turns. Begin gently, but then slowly work your way to shaking the sheet more vigorously. When you say, “Quiet! Be still!” have the children freeze in place. As a group, say, “I can ask Jesus for help.” Then begin gradually shaking the sheet again. Continue for as long as the children remain interested. When finished, have the children sit down and answer the following question.
- Question: What do you need Jesus to help you with?
+ Bop It (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Inflated balloon, “Sick, Sad, and Scared Face” printout
- Preparation: Inflate a balloon and tie it off. Print the sick, sad, and scared faces on 8½ x 11 paper, then cut them out and tape them to the balloon. Try to spread the pictures out as much as possible.
- Say: During today’s true Bible story, we learned that we can ask Jesus for help. We’re going to play a fun game that helps us think about ways that Jesus can help us.
- Directions: Have the children stand in a cluster. Throw the inflated balloon above the children and tell them to continually bop it into the air while singing the first verse to “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.” When the verse is over, tell the children to catch the balloon. Have the child who catches the balloon look to see which picture their hand is touching (or closest to touching), then ask them to answer the corresponding question below. Repeat until all of the children have had a turn answering. If a child catches the balloon a second time, they can hand it to someone who hasn’t caught it yet.
- Questions:
- Sick face: How can Jesus help you when you’re sick?
- Sad face: How can Jesus help you when you’re sad?
- Scared face: How can Jesus help you when you’re scared?
+ Lava Leapers (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Rope or yarn (2 pieces per group)
- Today's Bible Verse: God (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, lay the two pieces of rope on the floor parallel to one another with about 6 inches in-between. Tell the children to imagine the space between the ropes is a river of hot lava. Have the children line up along one side of the lava. As a group, recite the verse together, then leap over the lava. If the children land in the lava, they can pretend to sink into it. Next, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so the river is wider, then repeat. Keep moving the rope 6 inches each time until the children can no longer jump across. If time and interest allow, play again from the beginning.
+ Wiggle Freeze (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Tell the children that when you say, “Wiggle,” they can move and wiggle in whatever way they want, but when you say, “Freeze,” they have to stop and remain totally still until someone is caught moving. Begin by repeatedly saying “Wiggle” for as long as you would like, then say “Freeze!” The children will freeze in place. Watch closely to see which child moves first. Whichever child moves first, ask that child what happened first in today’s Bible story. (They don’t have to tell the whole story, just the first part.) If necessary, allow the other children to help. When finished, begin saying “Wiggle” again and repeat the above instructions. For each additional round, ask the child who moves first to tell what happened next in the story. Continue playing until the whole story has been told.
+ Help, I'm Scared (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of a scared face. When finished, ask the children to show their picture and to tell everyone about something that scares them.
- Say: Today we learned that we don’t have to fight our fear alone. That’s because Jesus helps us when we’re scared. When we feel afraid, we can pray to Jesus and ask Him to help us. That’s what we’re going to do right now.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by asking Jesus to help the children in your group be brave when something scary happens. Pray for the specific situations that were shared by the children. Thank Jesus for helping you when you’re scared.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: If Jesus was with you during a big storm, would you be scared like the disciples? Why or why not?
- Question: In today’s story, we learned that Jesus has the power to stop storms. What else do you think Jesus has the power to do?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are more powerful than all of the things that scare me. Please help me to be brave when something scary happens. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus calming the storm in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus calming the storm from the Bible in Mark 4:35-41 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!