Jesus Calms the Storm Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus was with them in the boat.”
All day long, Jesus had been teaching by a big lake. So many people came to hear him! Jesus sat in a boat on the water. The people sat on the shore and listened. He told them many stories about God. One was about a tiny seed that grows into a big plant.
Then evening came. Jesus said to his friends, “Let’s go over to the other side.” Over to the other side of the big lake!
So his friends left the crowd. They took Jesus with them in the boat, just as he was. Other little boats went along too. Some of Jesus’ friends were fishermen. They knew all about boats. Jesus was with them in the boat.
The boat went out on the water. Rock, rock, went the boat. It was getting dark. The lake was big and wide. On that lake, strong winds can come up very fast.
Jesus was tired. He lay down in the back of the boat. He put his head on a cushion – a soft pillow. And he fell asleep. Shhh. Can you put your head on your hands, like Jesus sleeping?
Then a big wind storm came. Whoosh! The wind blew hard. Splash! The waves crashed into the boat. Can you make the sound of the wind? Whoooo!
More and more water came in. Splash! Splash! The boat went up and down, up and down. Soon the boat was full of water. His friends were very scared. But Jesus was still asleep. Jesus was with them in the boat.
His friends woke Jesus up. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” they cried.
Jesus woke up. He spoke strong words to the wind. He said to the water, “Peace! Be still!”
And the wind stopped. The waves lay down flat. No more whoosh. No more splash. There was a great calm. Calm means everything is quiet and still. Can you put your finger on your lips and be still, like the sea? Shhh.
Jesus said to his friends, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” Faith means trusting God, even when you are scared. Jesus was with them in the boat.
Now his friends were very afraid, but in a new way. They asked each other. “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Obey means to do what someone says.
Who do you think he is? The Bible tells us. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The wind listened to Jesus. The waves listened to Jesus. The whole big lake listened to Jesus! Even the wind and the sea obey him.
Then the boat went on over the quiet water. They came to the other side of the lake, just as Jesus had said. Everyone was safe.
Now it is night. Shhh. Snuggle down, calm and still, like the lake. And Jesus is with you too, even while you sleep. Jesus was with them in the boat.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the friends felt when the waves came in?
- What do you think it sounded like when everything became quiet?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Peace! Be still!” — Mark 4:39 (Peace → hands slowly down; Be still → finger on lips)
Dear Jesus, thank you that the wind and the sea obey you. Thank you that you were with your friends in the boat. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: When the storm is loudest, Jesus is still in charge.
Memory verse: “He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was a great calm.” — Mark 4:39 · WEB
The Bible story
A little boat, a huge storm, and one sleepy Jesus — but even the wind and waves must do what He says.
Talk about it
- Where were Jesus and His friends? — In a boat on the lake
- What was Jesus doing when the storm began? — Sleeping
- What kind of weather suddenly came? — A big storm
- How did the disciples feel? — Afraid
- What did the disciples do? — Woke Jesus up
- What did Jesus say to the storm? — "Be still"
Where is Jesus in this story?
The disciples asked the most important question of all: "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!" Only God can tell a storm what to do — and Jesus did it with three little words. That is how we know Jesus is not just a kind teacher; He is the Son of God, come to be with us. The very same Jesus who calmed that stormy sea can calm the storms inside our hearts, and one day at the cross He would face the biggest storm of all — to carry us safely home to God.
What God wants to tell us
The disciples thought they were all alone in the wind and the waves — but Jesus was right there in the boat with them the whole time. When life feels stormy for you — when you are scared, or sad, or things feel out of control — you can remember this: Jesus is never far away, and nothing is too big for Him. You don't have to be afraid, because the One who calmed the sea is holding you close too.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You that even the wind and the waves obey You. When I feel afraid or worried, help me to remember that You are always with me and You are bigger than anything that scares me. Please calm the storms in my heart and help me to trust You. I love You. Amen.
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