Jesus Stops the Storm

Matthew 8:23-27

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!”

One day, Jesus and His friends, the disciples, got into a boat. They were going to cross a big lake. Jesus was very tired from teaching and helping people, so He laid down in the boat and went to sleep.

While they were on the lake, the wind started to blow. Whoooosh! The waves got bigger and bigger. The boat rocked back and forth. The disciples were scared! They said, “Help! We’re going to sink!”

But Jesus was still sleeping. The disciples ran to Him and woke Him up. They said, “Lord, save us! We’re afraid!”

Jesus sat up and looked at the storm. Then He said to the wind and the waves, “Be still!” And do you know what happened? The wind stopped blowing. The waves stopped crashing. Everything became calm and peaceful.

The disciples were amazed. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves listen to Him!” They knew that Jesus was very special because He could make the storm stop.

Key takeaway for preschoolers:

Jesus is powerful, and He can help us when we’re scared. We can always trust Him to take care of us.


Dear God,

Thank You for taking care of us, just like Jesus took care of the disciples in the storm. Thank You for being with us when we feel scared and for keeping us safe. Please help us to trust You no matter what happens. We love You, God. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.






Bible Verse: The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. — Hebrews 13:6, BSB

Paraphrase: God helps me; I’m not afraid.



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. Stormy Boat Craft

Objective: Help children visualize the story by creating their own “stormy boat” scene.

Materials: Paper plates, construction paper, crayons, markers, glue, and craft sticks.

Activity: Have children draw waves and stormy clouds on a paper plate. Cut out a small boat from construction paper and glue it to the plate. Attach a craft stick to the boat so it can “rock” back and forth on the waves. As they create, remind them how Jesus calmed the storm and kept the disciples safe.


2. “Be Still, Waves” Song (Musical Activity)

Objective: To help children experience the storm and its calming through music, and to remember that Jesus can bring peace when we are afraid.

Materials: None (optional: gentle hand motions)

Activity: Teach the children the following simple song using the familiar Row, Row, Row Your Boat melody. Sing it first with gentle motions, then invite the children to join in.

For the first verse, encourage children to sway their bodies and move their arms like rolling waves.
For the second verse, invite them to stop moving, sit quietly, and place their hands in their laps as the waves become calm.

Song Lyrics (Public Domain tune)

        Storm, storm, big storm,
        Wind and waves so loud.
        Jesus says, “Be still, waves!”
        Now the sea is calm.

You may repeat the song, gently increasing movement during the “storm” line and returning to stillness at the end.

Talk About It: “The storm was loud and scary, but Jesus said, ‘Be still,’ and the waves listened. When we feel scared, who can we trust to help us feel calm?”
 

3. Role-Playing the Story

Objective: Help children remember the story through acting it out.

Materials: None.

Activity: Assign roles (some can be Jesus, others the disciples, and some can pretend to be the wind and waves). Reenact the story, with the disciples waking Jesus and Jesus calming the storm. Encourage them to shout, “Lord, save us!” and cheer when the storm is stilled. This activity makes the story interactive and memorable.


4. Trust Jesus Rainbow Craft

Objective: Teach children that Jesus’ power gives us peace, just like the calm after a storm.

Materials: Construction paper, cotton balls, glue, and crayons.

Activity: Have children create a rainbow with strips of colored paper or crayons. Add cotton balls for clouds. At the top, write, “Trust Jesus!” Talk about how the disciples learned to trust Jesus because He calmed the storm, and we can trust Him, too.

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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.
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