After an exhausting day of preaching to the multitudes, Jesus got in a boat and told the disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus went to sleep. A squall arose, and high winds and raging waters put the boat in peril. Jesus slept through it all! When the frightened disciples woke Jesus, he simply “rebuked the wind and raging waters” and everything became calm.

Jesus is so powerful that he can control nature.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 8:22-25
• Colossians 1:15-16
• Psalm 89:8-9
• Psalm 107:23-32
• Job 38:8-11

Outline:

1. Nap on the boat (Luke 8:22-23)
2. Dangerous storm (Luke 8:23)
3. Jesus calms the storm (Luke 8:24)
4. The disciples react (Luke 8:25)

Additional Links:

• The Galilee Boat from Drive Through History with Dave Stotts
• The Land of the Bible: Ancient Galilee Boat
• Photos of the Galilee / Jesus boat and reconstruction of the boat

Tips for teaching:

• Bring a box to class so small children can pretend it is a boat.  Re-enact the storm, and then one child calls out "Peace be still!" to make the storm stop.
• Child's craft: Fill a clear water bottle with water and then add sand, sea shells and various beads and glitter. Glue the lid shut. Children can tilt the bottle to create a "storm in the bottle".
• Sing: My God is So Big
• Adults can discuss the "storms" they face in life and consider how God has control over these.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Jesus Calms a Storm

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org