Unit 24:3 Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus had just fed more than five thousand people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After sending away the people and directing His disciples to go back across the sea, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. It was late, and He sought to be alone with His Father. Jesus was preparing to fulfill His Father’s plan. Before long, He would die on the cross and rescue people from sin.
While Jesus prayed, the disciples struggled to cross the sea. A storm came and tossed their boat up and down. They didn’t make any progress against the waves. Then, in the early morning hours, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. They thought it was a ghost, but it was Jesus!
Peter asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water, and Jesus called to him. Peter walked on the water too—until he remembered the storm. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and he began to sink. Peter cried out to Jesus, “Save me!”
Jesus took Peter by the hand, and they got into the boat. The wind and waves calmed. Though Peter had doubted, the disciples worshiped Jesus. Clearly He was no ordinary man; this was the Son of God—the promised Messiah!
Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is who He says He is. Only Jesus can save us when we look to Him in faith.
As you talk with your kids, encourage them to look to Jesus in faith every day. We can seek Him for our salvation and for help as we live in this world. Even in the midst of fear and doubt, we can hold out our empty hands and cry, “Lord, save me!” He will answer, and we can respond in worship of our Lord and Savior.
Big Picture Question:
Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.
Key Passage:
Psalm 40:5
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
Worship ideas that connect with today’s lesson:
- Walk on Water by Family Force 5
- Waymaker- Kids Lyric Video
- Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)- Rend Collective
Bible Story Lesson:
Discussion Questions:
Distribute a sheet of paper to each child. Ask the kids to write about or draw a picture to answer the following questions:
What does this story teach me about God or about the gospel?
What does this story teach me about myself?
Whom can I tell about this story?
Make sure to send the sheets home with kids alongside the activity page so that parents can see what their kids have been learning.
Elementary:
Why did Jesus stay behind when the disciples crossed the lake? (to pray, Matt. 14:23)
What did the disciples think they saw when Jesus walked on the water toward them? (a ghost, Matt. 14:26)
When did Jesus save Peter from drowning? (immediately after Peter called out to Him, Matt. 14:30-31)
How was Peter able to walk on water? Guide kids to discuss how Jesus’ power allowed Peter to walk on water. Remind the kids that impossible things can happen when God’s power is involved. Point out the correlation between Peter’s faith in Jesus while he walked on water and his fear of the storm when he sank. Discuss the importance of faith in our lives.
Is there anything we cannot do with God’s power? Discuss the fact that God’s power is unlimited, but that doesn’t mean we can use Him for personal gain. Help kids see that testing the Lord is foolish and that anything He empowers us to do will be in line with His character and plans for the world.
When was the last time you trusted God to help you through a hard time? Guide kids to discuss experiences they have had in which God helped them through a difficult situation. Be sensitive to any kids who may disclose abuse or neglect. Report any suspicions according to the laws where you live and your church’s policies.
Say • Jesus showed He is God by walking on water. Peter had faith that he could walk with Jesus on the sea, but when he focused on his fear, he began to sink. We can trust Jesus through our fears. He saves us.
Preschool:
What did Jesus tell His disciples to do while He went to pray? (get into a boat, go to the other side of the sea)
In the middle of the night, who did the disciples see? (Jesus)
What was Jesus doing? (Jesus walked on water.)
Who also wanted to walk on water? (Peter)
Who saved Peter when he sank? (Jesus)
Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to show He is the Son of God.