Lesson by Betty Benson Robertson
BIBLE STORY: Based on Luke 8:22-25
Preparation: If possible, designate an area large enough where all children can sit and pretend to be disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.
Instructions: When the boys and girls hear you say “the disciples rowed and rowed and rowed”, they are to make rowing motions. (Demonstrate.)
One day Jesus and his disciples got in a boat. Jesus was tired and laid down. They were all going to cross the lake, so the disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.
Soon Jesus fell asleep. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.
Suddenly, clouds covered the sky until it was dark. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.
It started to rain. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.
The storm got worse. Lightening flashed in the sky. Loud thunder boomed. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.
The boat rocked back and forth. The waves rose higher and higher. Water splashed into the boat. They rowed and rowed and rowed.
The disciples were really scared. More water came into the boat. They were afraid the boat would tip over and they would all end up in the water.
They woke Jesus and said: “Master! Save us! We’re going to drown!”
When Jesus sat up, He saw the dark clouds and lightning. He heard the thunder. He felt the boat rocking, and He saw how afraid His disciples were.
Jesus told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down.”
Immediately, the wind stopped blowing. All the dark clouds disappeared. The sea became quiet and still again.
Jesus looked at His friends. “Why were you so afraid?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know I would take care of you?”
The disciples talked among themselves. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the winds and the waves obey Him. He must be the Son of God.”
SONG: “Jesus Can” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Miracle Mud album.
BIBLE VERSE: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7, New Living Translation).
BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: “Say It Loud, Say It Quiet”
Have the boys and girls quote the verse together in unision. Then ask the children to say the verse loud; quiet; loud with their eyes closed; quiet with their hands on their hands; loud with their hands behind their backs; quiet with hands touching their toes.
MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: “Story In A Box” (See Photo)
Needed for Each Child: Shoebox; 1 sheet brown construction paper; 3 sheets white construction paper; 14 craft sticks; 13 circles; clear tape.
Preparation: Cut 1 slit in the shoe box lid at the front of the boat where Jesus will stand; 1 slit at the back of the boat where the rain/lighting stick will be insert; 12 slits for the disciples.
Activity: Children draw and cut out a brown boat shape and glue to the side of the box.
Faces are drawn on the circles and the circles attached to the 13 sticks with tape. Children draw lighting/rain and attach to a stick with tape.
Before taking their “Story In A Box” home, allow children to practice re-telling by following your lead. The 12 disciples get in the boat (place sticks). Jesus gets in the boat and lays down. The disciples row the boat. A storm suddenly comes up (insert lightening/rain picture). The disciples are afraid and wake up Jesus. (Insert Jesus in slot at front of boat.) Jesus says: “Peace be still.” The winds and waves are quiet (remove storm picture).
EXTENDED ACTIVITY: Learn names of the disciples using the “12 Disciples Song” from: ChristianPreschoolPrintables.com. This song uses the “10 Little Indians” tune which makes memorizing easy.
SNACK 'N YAK: If at all possible, go to the area of your room where you told the Bible story in the “boat”. The children pretend to be the disciples, eating a snack of crackers, cheese, and grapes. While eating, ask: Have any of you ever been outside in a bad storm? How did you feel? Have there been any others times you been really scared? When we are afraid, what can we do?
IF YOU TEACH PRESCHOOLERS:
http://preschoollearningideas.blogspot.com/