3Rd - 5Th Grade August 23, 2020 Unit 24 • Session 3

3rd - 5th Grade August 23, 2020 Unit 24 • Session 3

Use Week of: Unit 24 • Session 3 Jesus Walked on Water

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6

STORY POINT: Jesus showed He is God by walking on water.

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 40:5

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

INTRODUCE THE STORY TEACH THE STORY APPLY THE STORY 1015 MINUTES 2530 MINUTES 2530 MINUTES PAGE 190 PAGE 192 PAGE 198

Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by- session help, visit ministrygrid.com/gospelproject.

Older Kids Leader Guide 186 Unit 24 • Session 3

© 2020 LifeWay LEADER Bible Study Jesus had just fed more than five thousand people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After sending away the people and directing His disciples to go back across the sea, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. It was late, and He sought to be alone with His Father. Jesus was preparing to fulfill His Father’s plan. Before long, He would die on the cross and rescue people from sin.

While Jesus prayed, the disciples struggled to cross the sea. A storm came and tossed their boat up and down. They didn’t make any progress against the waves. Then, in the early morning hours, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. They thought it was a ghost, but it was Jesus!

Peter asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water, and Jesus 3 called to him. Peter walked on the water too—until he remembered the storm. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and he began to sink. Peter cried out to Jesus, “Save me!”

Jesus took Peter by the hand, and they got into the boat. The wind and waves calmed. Though Peter had doubted, the disciples worshiped Jesus. Clearly He was no ordinary man; this was the Son of God—the promised Messiah!

Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is who He says He is. As you teach kids, encourage them to look to Jesus in faith every day. We can seek Him for our salvation and for help as we live in this world. Even in the midst of fear and doubt, we can hold out our empty hands and cry, “Lord, save me!” He will answer, and we can respond in worship of our Lord and Savior.

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Jesus Walked on Water Bible Storytelling Tips Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6 • Use facial Jesus had been teaching crowds of people by the Sea of Galilee. It expressions: As was getting late, so He told His disciples to get into the boat and go you tell the story, use facial expressions to to the other side of the sea. Jesus sent the crowds away and went up reflect the emotions on the mountain to pray by Himself. of the disciples. That evening, the boat was far from the • Display a map: Display the New shore. The wind blew, and the waves Testament Israel Map tossed the boat around. Jesus was from the Small Group still on the mountain alone. Timeline and Map Set (005802970) and point Around three in the out the location of morning, Jesus came toward the Sea of Galilee. His disciples, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they cried. Right away, Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It’s Me. Do not be afraid.” Peter answered, “Lord, if it really is You, tell me to come to You on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw how strongly the wind was blowing, he was afraid. Peter began to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cried. Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter. Jesus said, “You have little faith. Why did you doubt?”

Older Kids Leader Guide 188 Unit 24 • Session 3

© 2020 LifeWay Jesus Walked on Water They got into the boat and the wind stopped. Then Bible Storytelling Tips Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6 everyone in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “Truly You are the Son of God.” • Use facial Jesus had been teaching crowds of people by the Sea of Galilee. It expressions: As was getting late, so He told His disciples to get into the boat and go Christ Connection: Jesus proved that He can be trusted. you tell the story, use facial expressions to to the other side of the sea. Jesus sent the crowds away and went up His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He reflect the emotions on the mountain to pray by Himself. is who He says He is. Only Jesus can save us when we look to of the disciples. That evening, the boat was far from the Him in faith. • Display a map: Display the New shore. The wind blew, and the waves Testament Israel Map tossed the boat around. Jesus was from the Small Group still on the mountain alone. Timeline and Map Set (005802970) and point Around three in the out the location of morning, Jesus came toward the Sea of Galilee. His disciples, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they cried. Right away, Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It’s Me. Do not be afraid.” Peter answered, “Lord, if it really is You, tell me to come to You on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw how strongly the wind was blowing, he was afraid. Peter began to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cried. Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter. Jesus said, “You have little faith. Why did you doubt?”

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SESSION TITLE: Jesus Walked on Water BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6 STORY POINT: Jesus showed He is God by walking on water. KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 40:5 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Prompt kids to share about a time they stayed up late. Have they ever stayed up past 3 a.m.? Explain that in today’s Bible story, Jesus’ disciples were in a boat on the water overnight.

Activity page (5 minutes) • “It’s a Ghost!” activity Invite kids to complete “It’s a Ghost!” on the activity page. page, 1 per kid Guide kids to connect the dots to reveal whom the disciples • pencils or markers saw walking on water. SAY • Imagine being on a boat in the middle of the night and suddenly seeing someone walking toward you! That’s what Jesus’ disciples experienced in the Bible story we will hear today. We’ll find out how they reacted.

• beach towels, 1 per Session starter (10 minutes) team OPTION 1: Cross the river • paper plates, 1 per player Form teams of five kids. Guide teams to line up at one side of the room. Explain that the floor is a river that they need

Older Kids Leader Guide 190 Unit 24 • Session 3

© 2020 LifeWay to cross to get to the other side. Give each team five paper plate “rocks” and one beach towel “log.” Tell kids that the rocks are heavy, and kids cannot throw or slide them but may pick them up and pass them. If a player steps into the “water” at any point, the whole team must begin again. Give kids a minute to discuss their strategy and then allow a few minutes for teams to try to cross the river using the equipment provided. For an added challenge, explain that if a rock is in the water without anyone standing on it, the rock is swept away by the river and becomes unusable. SAY • Great job working together to cross the river. Do you know what would have been easier? If you could have walked on the water! That’s what Jesus did in the Bible story we will hear today.

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© 2020 LifeWay The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. Provide I’m a Christian Now! for new Christians to take home and complete with their families.

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Key passage activity (5 minutes) • Key Passage Poster Write the words of Psalm 40:5 on a chalkboard or dry erase • chalkboard or dry board. Guide boys and girls to read the key passage aloud erase board • chalk or marker together. Then erase one or two words. Challenge kids to • eraser read it again and supply the missing words. Continue erasing one or two words at a time, allowing kids to fill in the blanks. When you have erased the entire verse, challenge kids to say Psalm 40:5 from memory. SAY • Great job! We see throughout the Bible that the Lord has done many miracles. Jesus’ miracles were part of His purpose in bringing glory to the Father. His miracles proved that He is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Discussion & Bible skills (10 minutes) • Bibles, 1 per kid Distribute Bibles. Guide boys and girls to open their Bibles • Story Point Poster to Matthew 14. Explain Jesus’ walking on water is recorded • Small Group Timeline and Map Set in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John. Choose a (005802970) volunteer to read aloud Matthew 14:29-31. SAY • Jesus showed He is God by walking on water. This happened on the Sea of Galilee. [Point to the Sea of Galilee (D6) on the New Testament Israel Map.] Peter

Older Kids Leader Guide 198 Unit 24 • Session 3

© 2020 LifeWay wanted to walk on the water too. Jesus commanded Peter to come out of the boat. Peter walked on water, but he began to sink when he saw how strong the wind was. Ask the following questions. Lead the group to discuss: Option: Retell or 1. Why were Jesus’ disciples afraid when they saw Jesus review the Bible walking on water? Lead kids to recall that the disciples story using the bolded text of the ﬁ rst thought Jesus was a ghost. ey knew they were Bible story script. witnessing something no ordinary person could do. Jesus again showed His power over creation as the Son of God. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Isa. 40:26.) 2. How can we have courage in scary situations? Remind kids of Jesus’ words to His disciples: “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Assure kids that they are not alone. Jesus is with them through the Holy Spirit. Encourage kids to keep their eyes on Jesus. We can rely on Him for strength and courage when we need it. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Ps. 27:14.) 3. How can we encourage others to not give up during diﬃ cult times? Help kids identify Jesus’ power and strength even when we are weak. Point out that when Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped. Assure them that all believers can persevere in trials with the hope that one day, Jesus will return and bring ultimate peace, making every wrong thing right. We can pray for others and remind them of the truth about Jesus. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read James 1:12.)

Activity choice (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Moving missionaries Invite kids to sit in a circle. Challenge kids to

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© 2020 LifeWay think of a way to travel that starts with the first letter of their name. (Sarah: skateboard) Encourage creativity. Kids may use adjectives if they need to. (Zach: zebra; Yolanda: yellow canoe) Go around the circle, asking kids to repeat as many names/transportation matches as they can remember. Can anyone remember everyone’s name and mode of transportation? SAY • As crazy as some of these things sound, many missionaries do take some pretty different modes of transportation. Or they might use things like a boat every day, when we just ride a boat for fun. They are willing to do whatever it takes so that people can hear about Jesus. Let’s pray that more and more people will hear the gospel and follow Jesus. Close in prayer for missionaries around the world, including those your church supports.

Older Kids Leader Guide 200 Unit 24 • Session 3

© 2020 LifeWay Journal and prayer (5 minutes) Distribute journal pages and pencils. Guide kids to think pencils about and answer the questions listed on the page: Journal Page “ ‘Sea’ the Point” • What does this story teach me about God or the activity page, gospel? 1 per kid • What does the story teach me about myself? • Are there any commands in this story to obey? How • are they for God’s glory and my good? • • Are there any promises in this story to remember? • How do they help me trust and love God? • How does this story help me to live on mission better? As kids journal, invite them to share their ideas. Then pray, Tip: Give parents acknowledging God as trustworthy. Thank God for His this week’s Big Word, which shows us that Jesus is who He says He is. Pray Picture Cards for that kids would look to Jesus in faith and be saved. Families to allow families to interact As time allows, lead kids to complete “ ‘Sea’ the Point” with the biblical on the activity page. Kids should crack the code to discover content at home. today’s story point.

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