Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22-33

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. That means Jesus was his teacher. And the word gospel means “good news!”

We begin by a lake where Jesus had been teaching people all day. When Jesus was done teaching, He told his friends, the disciples, to get in a boat and go to the other side of the lake.
(boat, lake, shore)


Then Jesus went up on a mountain to pray by Himself. While the disciples were in the boat, the wind began to blow. The wind blew and blew. It rocked the boat back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth. The disciples didn’t know what to do! 


Then, something amazing happened! As the wind rocked the boat, the disciples looked out on the water and saw something coming toward them. 


As the disciples looked, it got closer and closer and closer. It was a PERSON! The disciples were so afraid! They thought, how could a person really walk on water? Then, the person talked! They said, “It’s me! Don’t be afraid!” 


IT WAS JESUS! Jesus walked on the water! The disciples were so happy to see their friend, Jesus. 


They were happy and AMAZED to see Jesus walking on water! Right away, Peter said, “Jesus, if it’s You, tell me to walk to You on the water.” And guess what Jesus said to Peter? Jesus said, “Come.” Peter looked at Jesus and stepped out of the boat.


And he started walking on the water towards Jesus! Only Jesus could help Peter walk on water. It truly was amazing. Until Peter stopped looking at Jesus and looked at the wind.


When Peter saw the wind, he got scared and started to sink in the water. Oh, no! 


But Jesus reached out and caught Peter by the hand so he wouldn’t sink. Then they both got back in the boat together. Whew!


After everyone was back in the boat, the wind stopped. The disciples looked at Jesus and said, “You really are God’s Son!” You know, Jesus really is the most amazing friend ever. He’s the only friend who has the power to always be with us, even if it means walking on water! Yes, Jesus can always be with you and me, because Jesus is God’s Son.






Bible Paraphrase: “I am with you always.” —Matthew 28:20, NIV

Text Truth: Our friend Jesus is always with us.



Family Devotional

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
—Matthew 14:28-31

In our Bible story, Jesus did something that only He can do. Jesus walked on water! And because Jesus can walk on water, He can always be with us AND be our friend forever.

“I am with you always.” —Matthew 28:20, NIV

With your family, make a list of your friends. Then when you pray, you can thank God for your friends.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for our friends. Thank You for [family member]’s friend, [friend’s name] and thank You for [family  member]’s friend, [friend’s name] . . . (continue with family member' and their friend’s name). Most of all, thank You for sending Jesus to be our friend forever. Jesus truly is the best friend EVER. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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