2026-05-24 Jesus Calms Fearful Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus welcomeshas allpower kindsover ofeverything sinners,that notscares just one special group.us. Through two dramatic stories (Jesus calming the storystorm ofin Luke 8:22-25, and Jesus andwalking on the Samaritanwater womanin atMatthew the well (John 4:4-26, 39-42)14:22-33), children will discoversee that Jesus crossedis everythe boundaryAll-Powerful thatGod. peopleWinds hadobey built,Him. Waves obey Him. Even the deep water holds Him up when He walks on it. Jesus does not want His friends to be afraid, because He is stronger than anything we could ever be afraid of. The scariest thing of all, sin and thatdeath, HisJesus goodhas newsalready isconquered. forSo everywhen tribe,we everybelieve language,in andJesus, everywe kindcan ofsay person.with TheHim, Jews and Samaritans hated each other, and Jews had rules about"Let not talkingyour tohearts Samaritans.be But Jesus sat down with a Samaritan woman and told her He was the Savior she needed. She believed, and she ran to tell her whole town. Jesus is happy to welcome every kind of sinner into His family.troubled."

Main Ideas:

• EveryoneJesus is a Sinner:God: All people, from every group, have sinned and need Jesus (Romansis 3:23).fully God. Nothing is too hard for Him.
• NoJesus Favorites:is in Control: Jesus doesrules notthe savewind, onlythe onewaves, kindthe ofweather, people.and Hisevery lovescary is for everyone.thing.
• CrossingLook Lines:to Jesus: We become afraid when we look at the storm instead of at Jesus.
• Do Not Fear: Jesus crossed the lines people had builtcame to reachsave sinners no one else cared about.
• All Nations Worship: One day, people from everyour tribebiggest fear (sin and languagedeath) willso praisewe Jesuscan together.trust Him.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

2Psalm Corinthians 5:1767:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,Let the newpeoples haspraise come.you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

• A smalllarge bagballoon, offully fancyblown stickersup (enoughto forpop aboutas halfa the children)surprise)
• A smallpin plateor sharp pencil (teacher uses, out of yummykids' treatsreach)
(cookies,
• A candy)blanket and a small plate of crumbled crackerspillow (tofor showJesus assleeping anin unfairthe "treat")
• Two paper signs: "Jews" and "Samaritans"boat)
• A redblue papersheet STOPor signa labeledblue "Dotablecloth NOT talk (to them!"be the sea/lake)
• A waterpaper cupsign with "AFRAID" on one side and "JESUS IS ALL-POWERFUL" on the other
• A cardboard boat cutout or watera bottlelaundry (forbasket to be the well)boat

 

(Walk in wearingholding the big balloon, smiling and showing it off. While the children are looking at it, secretly use the pin to POP the balloon.)

Teacher: (After the pop.) "WOW! Did that scare you? That loud BANG! Did your heart jump? Did you jump in your seat?"

Interaction: "Who was a stickerlittle onbit scared? Raise your shirt.hand! HoldIt's upokay to say yes!"

Teacher: "Loud, sudden noises can scare even grown-ups. I was not scared, though. Why not? Because I was the bagone who made it pop. I knew it was coming."

Teacher: "Lots of stickers.things can feel scary. Big storms. Dark nights. Scary dreams. Loud thunder. Being lost. Big dogs. Can anyone think of something that sometimes feels scary?"

Interaction: "Let's hear a few. Who wants to tell us something that sometimes feels a little scary?" (Wait for 2-3 responses.)

Teacher: "GoodHere morning,is friends!the Todayimportant Iquestion amfor startingtoday. withIs aJesus game.bigger Ithan amthose goingscary to give stickers to some of you, but not to everyone.things? Let's seehear whotwo gets a sticker."

(Pass out stickers tostories about half of the children. Do it in a silly way, skipping someJesus, and giving to others with no clear reason.)

Teacher: "Okay! Now, children with stickers, come sit on THIS side, over here with me. Children without stickers, please sit on the OTHER side."

(Wait until children have separated into two groups.)

Teacher: "Now I have a treat for each group. The sticker group, you are the special group. You get to eat THESE."

(Hold up the plate of yummy treats.)

Teacher: "But the no-sticker group? Since you don't have stickers, you have to eat THESE."

(Hold up the plate of crumbled crackers. Make a sad-looking face.)

Interaction: "No-sticker group, how do you feel about that? Thumbs down!"

Teacher: "Is it FAIR that I am giving the yummy treats only to the kids with stickers? Did the sticker kids do anything to earn them? Did they do a good deed? Did they pass a test? No! I just picked who got them. That is not fair at all. Don't worry, everyone gets treats at the end today!"

Teacher: "Sometimes people split themselves into groups and think, 'MY group is better. YOUR group is worse. I don't want to share with you. I don't want to play with you. I don't even want to TALK to you.' Today in the Bible, we are going to meet two groups like that. And we are going to see what JESUSthe thinksBible about it.says."

Story Telling: Jesus WelcomesCalms All Kinds ofFearful Sinners (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

• "Jews"Blue signsheet/tablecloth andon "Samaritans"the sign
• Red STOP sign: "Do NOT talk to them!"
• Water cup or bottlefloor (for the well)lake)
• TheCardboard twoboat groupsor ofbasket
children
• Blanket (stickerand pillow
• "Afraid" / no-sticker)"Jesus stillis separatedAll-Powerful God" sign

 

Part 1: TwoThe GroupsBig WhoStorm Didon Notthe Like Each OtherLake (2 mins)

(Hold upLay the "Jews"blue signsheet nearon the stickerfloor group.and put the boat on top. Place the blanket and pillow in the boat.)

Teacher: "AOur long,first longstory timestarts ago, God choseon a specialboat. groupOne ofday, peopleJesus said to be His family.disciples, They'Let's weresail calledacross JEWS.the Moseslake.' So they got in a boat. The sun was awarm. Jew.The Davidwater was acalm. Jew.And Mary, Jesus' mother,Jesus was aVERY Jew. Even Jesus, when He was born, was born into this group of people.tired."

Interaction: "StickerLet's group,yawn youtogether. areBig yawn! Aaaaaah."

(Curl up the Jews today. Stand upblanket and wave!pillow to show Jesus sleeping.)

Teacher: "Remember, Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully a real person with a real body. His body got tired too. So Jesus lay down in the back of the boat and fell FAST asleep."

Interaction: "Pretend to be Jesus asleep. Fold your hands under your cheek and close your eyes. Shhhh!"

Teacher: "GodBut lovedsuddenly, the Jewssky andgot gaveDARK. themThe His Word, the Bible. But some of the Jewswind started to thinkblow theyHARD. wereThe BETTERwaves thangot everybody else. They said, 'God only loves us. Other people are just sinners. We are the good ones.' Was that true?BIG."

Interaction: "ShakeEveryone make wind sounds! Whoosh, whoosh! Now stomp your headfeet NO!"

like

Teacher:thunder! "No!BOOM EveryBOOM personBOOM! Now rock side to side like the boat is abeing sinner.tossed The Bible says, 'All have sinned.' The Jews were sinners too. But they forgot.around!"

(Hold up the "Samaritans"AFRAID" sign near the no-sticker group.)

Teacher: "Now, right next to where the Jews lived was another groupside of people. They were called SAMARITANS. The Jews did NOT like the Samaritans. They thought the Samaritans were 'wrong' and 'dirty.'"

Interaction: "No-sticker group, you are the Samaritans today. Stand up and wave!"

(Hold up the red STOP sign.)

Teacher: "The Jewsdisciples madewere aSCARED. bigWater rule:was DOsplashing NOTinto TALKthe boat! They thought the boat was going to Samaritans.SINK! DoThey NOTthought sitthey withwere them.going Doto NOT share food with them. Do NOT even walk through their towns.DIE!"

Interaction: "HoldEveryone up your hand likemake a stopscared sign.face! 'STOP!Hug Doyourself! not talk!'Shake!"

 

Part 2: Jesus GoesCommands Wherethe No One GoesStorm (2 mins)

Teacher: "OneAnd day,where was Jesus didthe somethingwhole thattime? SHOCKEDStill everybody.ASLEEP! JesusCan saidyou tobelieve Hisit? disciples,So 'Let's go through Samaria today.' Thethe disciples probablyran said,over and shook Him and shouted, 'ButJESUS! Jesus!WAKE That'sUP! whereDon't theYou SAMARITANS live!care? We're not supposedgoing to go there!DIE!'"

Teacher: "But Jesus went. Jesus went right into the town of Samaria, right to a place where people got their water, called a WELL. And Jesus sat down, right there, all by Himself, because He was tired and thirsty from walking."

Interaction: "Pretend to walk,shake walk,somebody. walk.'Wake Nowup! pretendWake up!'"

Teacher: "Jesus woke up. He was not afraid. Not one little bit. Jesus stood up in the boat. And Jesus spoke to bethe tired. Phew! Sit downwind and wipethe yourwaves. forehead.Jesus said just three words: 'PEACE! BE STILL!'"

Interaction: "Everyone say it with me, big and loud: 'PEACE! BE STILL!'"

Teacher: "And do you know what happened? RIGHT AWAY, the wind stopped. The waves stopped. The rain stopped. Everything became calm and still, like this."

Interaction: "Shhhh. Everyone freeze. Super quiet. Not a sound."

(Hold upFlip the watersign cup.to "JESUS IS ALL-POWERFUL GOD.")

Teacher: "Soon,Then aJesus Samaritan woman cameturned to His disciples and asked, 'Where is your faith? Why were you so afraid?' Jesus was asking them: 'Did you forget who I am? I am GOD. I made the wellwind. I made the waves. They have to get water. And Jesus LOOKED at her. And Jesus TALKEDlisten to her. Jesus said, Me.'Will you give Me a drink?'"

Interaction: "Gasp! Everyone cover your mouth! Can you believe it? Jesus is TALKING to a Samaritan!"

Teacher: "The womandisciples waswere SOAMAZED. surprised.They Shewhispered said,to each other, 'HowWho canIS You,this? a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink? Don't You knowEven the rule?wind and the waves obey Him!' And Jesus smiled. Jesus knew the rule. Jesus just didn't care about that rule, because that rule was not from God. That rule was from people who thought they were betterstarting thanto otherfigure people.it out. Jesus is not just a man. Jesus is the All-Powerful God."

 

Part 3: Jesus TellsWalks Heron the Good NewsWater (2 mins)

Teacher: "Here is a second story, very similar. Another day, Jesus saidtold His disciples to go in the boat across the lake WITHOUT Him. So they did. And guess what? Another big storm came!"

Interaction: "Wind sounds! Waves! BOOM thunder!"

Teacher: "The disciples were rowing and rowing, fighting the storm. Then, in the middle of the night, they saw something reallycoming interestingtowards tothem on top of the woman.water. A person! WALKING on the water!"

Interaction: "Gasp! Who is it? Everyone point and look scared!"

Teacher: "The disciples were TERRIFIED. They thought it was a ghost! But the person spoke. And the voice was familiar. It was JESUS. Jesus said, 'IfIt youis knewI. whoDo not be afraid.'"

Interaction: "Everyone whisper: 'It's Jesus. Don't be afraid.'"

Teacher: "Now, only God can walk on water. Water is not strong enough to hold up a person. But Jesus is God! Jesus made the water. So the water does what Jesus says, even 'Hold Me up while I really was, YOU would ask Me for a drink, and I would give you LIVING WATER. Water that makes you never thirsty again.walk!'"

Interaction: "Pretend to takewalk aon bigtippy-toes gulplike ofJesus on the water. Ahhh!"

Gently,

Teacher: "Jesus was not really talking about wet water. Jesus was talking about something much better. Jesus was talking about the GOOD NEWS that can save a sinful heart forever. The woman did not need water. The woman needed a SAVIOR."

Teacher: "Jesus told the woman something amazing. Jesus knew everything about her, every bad thing she had ever done. She was surprised. She said, 'How do You know all that? You must be a prophet from God!' And Jesus told her the biggest secret of all: 'I am the Savior God promised. I am the One who came to save sinners.'"

Interaction: "Point up to Jesus and whisper: 'He is the Savior!'"

Teacher: "Jesus did not come just for the Jews. Jesus did not come just for 'nice' people. Jesus did not come only for the sticker group. Jesus came for the woman too, a Samaritan, with a sinful heart, whom nobody else would even talk to.gently!"

 

Part 4: GoLook Tellat Everyone!Jesus, Not the Waves (2 mins)

Teacher: "TheThen womanPeter, BELIEVEDone Jesus. Right there atof the well,disciples, shegot trustedbrave. inPeter Jesussaid, 'Lord, if it's really You, let me come to saveYou her. And she was so excited that she ran back to her town. She left her water jar aton the well and RAN."

Interaction: "Everyone run in place! Faster, faster! Go tell the town!"

Teacher: "She told everyone, 'Come see the man who knew everything about me! Could He be the Savior?water!' And allJesus said, 'Come.' So Peter climbed out of the Samaritans came running to see Jesus.boat. And LOTSPeter ofstarted themWALKING believed and trusted in Jesus too!"

(Waveon the childrenwater from both groups together in front of you.)

Interaction: "Sticker group and no-sticker group, come together! No more dividing! One big group who loves Jesus!"

Teacher: "This is what Jesus does. Jesus takes groups that hate each other, and He brings them into ONE group, HIS family. Jews and Samaritans, people with different languages, different skin colors, different countries. The Bible says that in heaven there will be people from EVERY tribe and EVERY language and EVERY kind of people, all worshiping Jesus together.too!"

Interaction: "Everyone, putwalk in place on your handstip-toes! togetherPeter inis awalking bigon circle or hold hands. One family under Jesus!water!"

(NowTeacher: pass"But then Peter did something silly. Peter looked DOWN at the big waves. Peter stopped looking at JESUS. And what do you think happened?"

Interaction: "Slowly, slowly sink down to your knees! Sinking! Sinking!"

Teacher: "Peter started to SINK! He was going down into the water! Peter shouted, 'LORD! SAVE ME!' And what did Jesus do?"

Interaction: "Reach out theyour yummyhand treatslike Jesus reaching for Peter!"

Teacher: "Jesus reached out His hand, grabbed Peter, and pulled him up right away. And then Jesus said to EVERYONE,Peter, 'Why were you afraid? Why did you stop trusting Me?' And together, they walked back to the boat."

Teacher: "Here is the big lesson. When we look at JESUS, we do not justneed to be afraid. When we look at the stickerstorm, group.)at the scary things, at ourselves? That's when fear gets big. Jesus wants us to keep looking at HIM."

Interaction: "Point to your eyes, then point up. 'Eyes on Jesus!' Let's say it together: 'Eyes on Jesus!'"

Teacher: "And here is the good news for today. Everyone gets the treat. Not because you earned it. But because Jesus welcomessays everyoneto whous trustsjust like He said to His friends: 'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in Him.God, believe also in Me.' That means, 'Don't let your heart get scared and flipped around. TRUST Me. I am in charge.'"

 

Review with Actions

Teacher: "Let's remember the storystories with actions!"

• Teacher: "JewsJesus and SamaritansHis didfriends notsailed likeon eachthe other.lake." (Kids crosspretend armsto and turn away.row.)
• Teacher: "ThereA wasbig astorm rule: Do NOT talk!came!" (Kids holdsway upand asay, "stop"Whoosh! hand.BOOM!")
• Teacher: "Jesus walkedwas right into Samaria.asleep." (Kids march.fold hands under cheek.)
• Teacher: "JesusThe talkeddisciples towere the Samaritan woman.AFRAID." (Kids cuphug hands around mouththemselves and say, "Hello!"shake.)
• Teacher: "Jesus said, 'IPeace, ambe the Savior!still!'" (Kids pointput up.up their hand and say it.)
• Teacher: "The womanstorm ran to tell everyone!stopped!" (Kids runfreeze in place.silently.)
• Teacher: "AllJesus kindswalked ofon peoplethe came to believe in Jesus.water!" (Kids sweepwalk armson widetippy-toes.)
• Teacher: "Peter looked at the waves and sank." (Kids sink down.)
• Teacher: "Jesus saved Peter." (Kids reach out a hand.)
• Teacher: "Eyes on Jesus!" (Kids point to eyes, then join hands.up.)

Teacher: "Now faster!"

• "Two groups.Storm!" (Cross arms.Sway.)
• "Do not talk!Afraid!" (StopShake.)
hand.
• "Peace, be still!" (Hand up.)
• "Still!" (Freeze.)
• "Walking on water!" (Tippy-toes.)
• "Sinking!" (Sink down.)
• "Jesus went.saves!" (March.Reach out.)
• "JesusEyes talked."on (Hello!)
• "I am the Savior!Jesus!" (Point up.)
• "Go tell!" (Run.)
• "All kinds of people!" (Arms wide, join hands.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

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Discussion Questions:

Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."

Question: "Why didwere the Jewsdisciples notso wantafraid toin talkthe to Samaritans?storm?"

Teacher Key: The waves were huge. They thought the boat was going to sink and they were better.going to die. They madeforgot a rule to keep away from Samaritans. But their rulewho was fromin pride,the notboat fromwith God.them!

Question: "What did Jesus dosay that surprisedto the Samaritanwind woman?and the waves?"

Teacher Key: "Peace, be still!" And they obeyed right away, because Jesus made them and He is God.

Question: "How could Jesus walk on top of the water?"

Teacher Key: Jesus talked to her, even though Jews were not supposed to talk to Samaritans. Jesus did not followis the ruleAll-Powerful thatGod. cameHe frommade pride.the water, so the water obeys Him. Only God can do that.

Question: "What didhappened Jesuswhen offerPeter herstopped thatlooking was better than water?"

Teacher Key: Living water. The good news that He is the Savior. Forgiveness of sin and new life forever.

Question: "What did the woman do after she believed inat Jesus?"

Teacher Key: SheHe ransaw backthe waves, got afraid, and started to hersink. townWhen andwe toldlook everyone.at Manyscary Samaritansthings cameinstead andof believedJesus, inour Jesusfears too.grow bigger than they should.

Question: "DoesWhat Jesusshould onlywe savedo onewhen kindwe offeel people?afraid?"

Teacher Key: No!Pray to Jesus. Remember that Jesus welcomesis allGod kindsand ofin sinners.control. FromSay everythe tribe,verse. everyTalk country,to everyparents. language.Keep Heavenour willeyes beon full of different people praising Jesus together.Jesus.

Question: "IsWhat thereis anyonethe youscariest sometimesthing don'tof wantall? What did Jesus come to talksave tous or play with because they are different?from?"

Teacher Key: LetSin kidsand sharedeath. simply.Jesus Gentlycame remind themso that Jesussinners welcomeswho everyonetrust in Him never have to be afraid of being separated from God forever. That is the biggest fear of all, and weJesus canhas too.taken (Newit kidaway atfor school,His a quiet sibling, a child who looks or sounds different.)friends.

Teacher: "TheBig Samaritanstorms. womanDark wasnights. aLoud sinner.noises. SoEven weredeath. theNone Jews.of Sothem are we.too Thebig onlyfor reasonJesus. ANYWhen ofwe usare get to be withscared, Jesus is becausebigger. Jesus is kind and welcomes sinners, not becauseWhen we aretrust Him, our hearts can be peaceful, even in the 'right kind of person.' So if Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners, we can welcome all kinds of people too.storm."

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "Jesus didis the All-Powerful God. Winds and waves obey Him. Nothing is too hard for Him. So when our hearts feel afraid, we can stop and remember: 'Jesus is with me. Jesus is stronger. Eyes on Jesus.' And Jesus says to us, 'Let not buildyour walls.hearts Jesusbe broke walls down. He came for Jews AND Samaritans. He came for Canada, China, Africa, and every country. He came for you, and He came for people you have never met. Let's thank Jesus for His big welcome.troubled.'"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You that You welcomeare allstronger kindsthan ofevery sinners.storm. Thank You that You didrule notthe onlywind comeand forthe onewaves. group.When Pleasewe feel afraid, help us loveto peoplelook whoat areYOU differentand not at the scary thing. Thank You for saving us from us.the Pleasescariest helpthing peopleof all, sin and death. Help our hearts to be peaceful because we trust in every country hear about You. We pray that one day, all kinds of people will praise You together. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: PsalmJohn 67:314:1

 

PsalmJohn 67:314:1

[Jesus said,] "Let thenot peoplesyour praisehearts you,be Otroubled. Believe in God; letbelieve allalso thein peoples praise you!me."

Hand Gestures:

• "Let thenot peoples.your hearts...": SweepPlace both armshands wide,over pointingyour outward to many different people.heart.
• "...praisebe you...troubled.": RaiseShake bothyour hands highand inyour thehead air(shaking inoff praise.worry), then make a calm, peaceful face.
• "OBelieve in God...": Point up to heaven.heaven with one finger.
• "...letbelieve ALLalso thein peoples...me.": SweepPoint armsto even wider,yourself, then tapto yourselfan onimaginary theJesus chestin (everyonefront includesof me!).
• "...praise you!": Both hands high again, with a big smile.you.

Teacher Tip: SayUse this verse as a call-and-response during the game. Teacher says scary things ("Big waves! Loud thunder! Dark night!") and kids respond with the verse and gestures. The more they hear it in a call-and-response.playful Teacher: "Letcontext, the peoples praise you..." Kids: "O GOD!" Teacher: "Let all the peoples..." Kids: "PRAISE YOU!" Keepeasier it loud and joyful, because that is the point of the verse.sticks.

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "JesusCalm Welcomesthe Everyone"Storm" People HuntFreeze

ChildrenA huntsimple forgame paperwhere "people"children cutoutsmake hiddenstorm aroundsounds and actions when the room.teacher Eachholds personup looksthe different"Afraid" sign, and freeze silently (differentsaying colors,the clothes,memory faces).verse Whentogether) theywhen findthe one,teacher theyholds bringup itthe to"Jesus ais bigAll-Powerful paperGod" sign. This game teaches the memory verse and reinforces that Jesus oncommands the wall, and together the children gather all the different "people" around Jesus. The game ends with the whole room full of different people all gathered around Jesus.storm.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that Jesus welcomeshas allpower kindsover of sinners from every tribestorms and language.over our fears.

---

🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

• A largetwo-sided paper cutoutsign: one side says "AFRAID" with a scared face, the other side says "JESUS IS ALL-POWERFUL GOD" with a shining picture of Jesus
taped
• Open space where children can move
• Optional: three small groups assigned to themake wallwind sounds (with"Whoosh!"), armsthunder wide("BOOM!"), open,and welcoming)
rain
• 10-15("pat paperpat cutouts of people with different skin tones, clothing, ages, hairstyles. Each one has a small piece of tape on the back.
• Hide the people cutouts around the room before class starts
• A Bible verse strip: "Let all the peoples praise You!"pat")

---

🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: TellDivide thechildren children:into "Jesusthree wantssound togroups: welcomeWind, ALLThunder, kindsRain. ofPractice peopleeach to be His friends. But some of them are hiding. Let'group's find them and bring them to Jesus!"sound.

Step 2: ChildrenTeacher lookholds forup the paperAFRAID peopleside. aroundEvery thegroup room.makes Whentheir sound/action together. Waves, wind, thunder. Pure chaos. Kids can sway and rock like they findare one,in theya bring it to the big Jesus on the wall and tape it next to Him.boat.

Step 3: AsTeacher eachsuddenly person is found, teacher says: "Look at this person! Does Jesus welcome them?" (Yes!) Tapeflips the personsign nearto Jesus.JESUS IS ALL-POWERFUL GOD side and says loud and clear: "PEACE! BE STILL!" All children must FREEZE and be totally silent.

Step 4: When allstill, everyone says the peoplememory areverse found,together lookwith at the wall together. Ask:gestures: "AreLet allnot theseyour peoplehearts thebe same?troubled. OrBelieve arein theyGod; different?believe also in me." (Different!) "But does Jesus welcome ALL of them?" (Yes!)

Step 5: EveryoneTeacher together: "Let allflips the peoplessign praiseback You,to OAFRAID God!" Then finish withand the memorystorm versestarts gestures.again. Repeat 3-4 times, getting faster each time.

Step 6: End by asking: "Who can say 'Peace, be still' to a real storm?" (Only Jesus!) "Who is stronger than every scary thing?" (Jesus!)

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Craft: "AllEyes Kindson ofJesus" People"Boat Friendship ChainPicture

Children make a paper chainpicture of peoplea holdingsmall hands,boat eachon coloredstormy andwaves decoratedwith differently,Jesus towalking showon the water. The craft has a sliding Peter figure that Jesusstarts welcomeshigh allon kindsthe ofwater sinners.(looking Theat chainJesus) and can be hungslid down to sink (looking at the waves). A take-home asreminder aof reminder.where to keep our eyes.

Materials: Pre-A pre-printed scene (boat, wavy water, sky) on cardstock, a small Peter figure cutout, a small Jesus figure cutout, a craft slit or slot cut paper chain strips of people (the classic accordion-fold people chain wherealong the handswavy staywater connected), different colors of construction paper,line, crayons or markers, stickers,glue sticks, the memory verse printed on a small strip.

The Activity:

• Step 1: GiveColor eachthe childboat, athe papersky chain(dark ofand 4-5stormy!), connectedand people.the waves (use blues and greys).
• Step 2: HaveGlue the child color each person differently: different hair colors, different skin colors, different outfits. Talk about how Jesus welcomesfigure allon ofthe them.water, standing tall. Write above Him: "Jesus is all-powerful!"
• Step 3: OnInsert the backPeter offigure into the chain,slit havein childrenthe waves, so Peter can be slid up (withstanding parenton help)water write:near "JesusJesus) welcomesor alldown kinds(sinking ofinto sinners."the waves).
• Step 4: AttachAt the bottom of the picture, glue the memory verse strip: "Let thenot peoplesyour praisehearts you,be Otroubled. Believe in God; letbelieve allalso thein peoples praise you!me." (PsalmJohn 67:3)14:1)
• Step 5: DecoratePractice withsliding stickers.Peter Take homeup and hangdown. up.When Peter looks at Jesus = up, safe! When Peter looks at the waves = down, sinking! Use this to help children remember.
• Take Home: Children show their family: "JesusWhen welcomesI ALLlook kindsat ofJesus, people!I Evenam me.safe. EvenWhen I look at the kidscary atthings, schoolI whostart looksto differentsink. fromEyes me.on Jesus!"

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Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that YourYou loveare hasthe noAll-Powerful borders.God. Thank You that storms and scary things obey You. When we feel afraid this week, help us to remember that You are with us, and help us to keep our eyes on You. Thank You that You welcometook sinnersaway our biggest fear by saving us from every country, every language, every family. Help us to love people who are different from us, just like You do. Bring many more people from every tribe and tongue to worship You.sin. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)