Jesus Calms the Storm: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Mark 4:35-41
Elementary children act out Mark 4:35-41, discover who Jesus is through the storm story, play a Storm and Calm game, and make a stormy and calm sea plate. They learn to trust Jesus when they are afraid.
Memory verse
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell how Jesus calmed the wind and the sea.
- Explain that Jesus has power over the wind and the sea, and that this shows who he is.
- Name one fear and choose to bring it to Jesus in prayer.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: What Makes You Nervous? (5 min)
Setup: Spread the blue cloth on the floor if you have one. Seat the children in a circle.
Say: "Welcome! Today we have a story about a boat, a big storm, and Jesus."
Say: "Show me a thumbs up if you have ever been caught in a loud thunderstorm."
Let two or three children say how it felt. Do not push anyone to share.
Say: "Storms can feel scary. Everyone gets afraid sometimes, even grown-ups."
Say: "Today we will find out what happened when some friends of Jesus were in a very big storm."
Warm-up (2 min): Tap your knees softly like light rain. Rub your hands for wind. Then freeze. Say: "Now let's open our Bibles and hear the story."
Bible Story: The Storm on the Lake (8 min)
Read or tell Mark 4:35-41 in order. Invite the children to do the actions below.
Say: "That day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let us pass over unto the other side.'" (Row your arms like oars.)
Say: "They took Jesus with them in the boat. Other little boats went along too."
Say: "Then a great storm of wind came up. The waves beat into the boat, and it was nearly full of water." (Wiggle fingers like waves. Whoosh!)
Say: "Where was Jesus? He was in the back of the boat, asleep on a pillow." (Lay head on hands.)
Say: "The disciples woke him and said, 'Master, carest thou not that we perish?'"
Say: "Jesus got up. He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still.'" (Make a stop sign with your hand.)
Say: "The wind stopped. There was a great calm." (Whisper "Ahhh.")
Say: "Jesus asked them, 'Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?'"
Say: "They were very afraid in a different way. They said, 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'"
Say: "Now let's think about what this story tells us about Jesus."
Who Is This Jesus? (7 min)
Say: "The disciples asked, 'What manner of man is this?' Let's look for clues in the story."
Clue 1: Jesus was in the boat with them. (Say: "The storm came, but Jesus did not leave.")
Clue 2: Jesus slept. (Say: "He was truly human. He got tired like us.")
Clue 3: Jesus spoke, and the wind and sea obeyed. (Say: "Only God is that powerful. Nothing is too big for Jesus.")
Ask: "Why do you think the disciples were more afraid after the storm stopped?" (They saw how great his power was.)
Say: "Jesus asked about their faith. He wanted them to trust him, even in a storm."
Say: "We still have storms: a hard day at school, a sickness, a family problem. Jesus is still powerful, and we can trust him."
Background: This lake is the Sea of Galilee. Storms there could come up quickly.
Teach the memory verse. Say a phrase, and the children repeat it with actions. Do this three times, faster each time.
Say: "Now let's play a game with storms and calm."
Game: Storm and Calm (8 min)
Setup: Have the children stand in a circle with arm's length between them. No running. Tell them they will move only in place.
Steps:
1. Say: "When I say 'storm,' make storm sounds and motions in place: stomp softly, wave arms, whoosh."
2. Make the storm grow: say "small storm," then "bigger storm," then "huge storm."
3. Shout, "Peace, be still!" Everyone freezes and whispers "calm." The last child to freeze gets a silly job, such as leading the next storm.
4. Play 4 or 5 rounds. Add a round where you call out a fear (a test, the dark, a new school). The children say, "Jesus is with me," and then freeze.
5. Finish with a calm round. Everyone sits and takes three slow breaths.
Time: 8 minutes.
Say: "Great work! Now let's make something to remind us of the story."
Craft: Stormy and Calm Sea Plate (8 min)
Setup: Pre-cut the paper boats and blue strips. Give each child a plate, crayons, glue stick, boat and a few strips.
Safety: Check for allergies or skin sensitivities to glue and markers. Use only the pre-cut pieces. Do not hand out scissors.
Steps:
1. Draw a line across the middle of the plate with a crayon.
2. On the top half, draw a stormy sea with dark, zigzag waves and wind swirls.
3. On the bottom half, glue calm blue strips in smooth, flat rows.
4. Glue the boat at the line between the two halves.
5. Write "Peace, be still" along the bottom edge. Write your name on the back.
While they work, ask: "Which half would you rather be in? Who can help us in the stormy part?"
Time: 8 minutes. Let children with slower fine motor skills do fewer strips.
Say: "Hold your plates up! Now let's talk about what we learned."
Talk About It (5 min)
Say: "Turn to a partner and talk about these questions. I will ask a few of you to share."
1. Where was Jesus when the storm started? (In the boat with his friends.)
2. What did Jesus say to the sea? ("Peace, be still.")
3. What happened when he spoke? (The wind stopped and the sea became very calm.)
4. What does this story tell us about who Jesus is? (He is powerful. Even the wind and sea obey him.)
5. What is one thing that makes you feel afraid? What could you do with that fear? (Tell Jesus about it and ask a trusted adult for help.)
Accept all honest answers. Gently steer the group back to what Mark 4 says if the answers wander.
Say: "Let's close by talking to Jesus ourselves."
Closing and Prayer (4 min)
Say: "Let's say our memory verse together one more time, with the actions."
Repeat Mark 4:39 twice. Show the index card.
Say: "Jesus is with us, and he is stronger than every storm. Let's pray."
Prayer points (pray one line at a time; the children repeat):
- "Jesus, thank you that you are with us."
- "Thank you that you are more powerful than the wind and the sea."
- "Help us bring our fears to you."
- "Help us trust you when things feel scary. Amen."
Silent moment: Say: "Think of one thing that scares you. Tell Jesus quietly in your heart." (10 seconds.)
Say: "Take your plate home. Tell someone about Jesus and the storm. See you next time!"
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Paper plates (1 per child)
- Crayons or markers
- Pre-cut paper boats (1 per child)
- Glue sticks
- Blue paper strips, pre-cut
- Index card with the memory verse written large
- Blue sheet or cloth
Teacher notes
- Safety: The craft uses glue and markers. Check for allergies or skin sensitivities. Pre-cut everything so no scissors are needed. Keep the storm game in place, with no running.
- Adaptation: Children who dislike loud noise can do the storm game with quiet hand motions only. Use the pictures on the plate as visual aids, and pair younger children with a buddy.
- Some children may have real fears, such as storms or family troubles. Listen kindly, do not shame them, and tell a lead teacher or parent if needed.
- Point to Jesus gently: the disciples asked who he is, and the story answers that he has power over creation. Do not add details the text does not give, such as the disciples' names or the size of the waves.
Send it home with parents
Today we read Mark 4:35-41. Jesus and his disciples were in a boat when a great storm came. Jesus stood up and said to the sea, "Peace, be still," and there was a great calm. The children learned that Jesus is powerful and with us in scary times, so we can trust him.
- What was your favorite part of the storm story?
- What is something that worries you? How could we bring it to Jesus together?
- What did the disciples say about Jesus at the end of the story?
Fill a clear bowl or baking dish with water. Gently blow or swirl the water to make "waves," then stop and let it settle. Read Mark 4:39 aloud and talk about Jesus bringing calm.
Each night this week, say Mark 4:39 together. Then each person names one worry and gives it to Jesus in a short prayer.
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