Peter Walks 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. 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!


Jesus was a good friend to Peter when Peter felt afraid. Jesus will be a good friend to you and me too, because Jesus is always a good friend! So, when anyone asks you, “Who is always a good friend?” You can tell them, “Jesus is always a good friend!”






Bible Verse: A friend loves you all the time. —Proverbs 17:17, NCV

Text Truth: Jesus is a good friend when I am afraid.



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

Jesus is always a good friend. In our Bible Story, Jesus was a good friend to the disciples when He told them, “Don’t be afraid. It’s Me, Jesus!” Jesus was a good friend to Peter when Peter was brave and wanted to walk on water to Jesus. Jesus told Peter to come to Him. Jesus was also a good friend to Peter when Peter was afraid and began to sink in the water. Jesus reached out and helped Peter get back in the boat. 

Jesus was always a good friend to Peter and the disciples, and Jesus will always be a good friend to you. So, when anyone asks you, “Who is always a good friend?” You can tell them, “Jesus is always a good friend!”

A friend loves you all the time. —Proverbs 17:17, NCV

Peter was afraid when he heard the wind. Everyone feels afraid sometimes. It is wonderful to know that Jesus is always a good friend, because that means Jesus is a good friend when we are afraid. So, with your family, take a piece of paper and have each member of your family write their name on the paper. Then, have each family member write a heart after their name. If you have heart shaped stickers, each family member can put a sticker after their name on the paper. The heart is a reminder that Jesus will always be with each member of your family. And Jesus will always be a good friend to you when you are afraid.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be our friend forever. Thank You that Jesus is a good friend when we are afraid. Help us remember that Jesus loves us all the time. You’re the best, 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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