Jesus Walked on Water

Session 3 Session 3: Jesus Walked on Water

FOR THE Jesus Walked on Water LEADER Matthew 14:22-33 In Matthew’s Gospel, this story of Jesus miraculously walking on the water immediately follows the feeding of the crowds. Jesus had just fed more than 5,000 people with only a small amount of bread and fish. The disciples were still dumbfounded as to what had just occurred, but Jesus wanted the men to know that He could do anything. Jesus had met a physical need for the crowds, but He further met their spiritual need as He shared about the kingdom of God. After a long day of teaching, Jesus had told the disciples to get into a boat and head across the lake. Jesus stayed behind for several reasons. The first was so He could dismiss the crowds and send them home. Just as a preacher greets congregants as they leave, Jesus wanted to send the crowds away filled both physically and spiritually. Secondly, Jesus wanted to spend some time with the Father in prayer. Jesus went alone by Himself to pray. Lastly, Jesus wanted to make sure the disciples had gone a significant distance from the shore so He could also show His power over nature. The Sea of Galilee is well known for very sudden, very violent storms. While the storm in this account may not have been the most atrocious storm, Matthew does tell us that the wind was against the men. It was at this point, somewhere around 3 a.m., that Jesus approached the boat walking on the water. The disciples saw Jesus and mistook Him for a ghost. With all of that input, it is no wonder the Bible describes their demeanor as “terrified.” Jesus identified Himself, and Peter immediately asked to be allowed to join the Lord on the water. Jesus invited Peter out of the boat. While Peter trusted Jesus and focused his eyes on Him, he walked as Jesus did. When Peter’s mind was distracted, he sank and needed rescue. Jesus reached out and rescued Peter, and He will do the same for us.

SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 14:22-33 MEMORY VERSE: 1 John 4:9 BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:7 TEXT TRUTH: Jesus is the Son of God, so He is omnipotent. BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT: Understands the truths in the Bible are without error and will last forever. Locates from memory often-used Bible passages and memory verses.

BIBLE STUDY APPLY THE TRUTH ACTIVITIES (35 MINUTES) (20 MINUTES) (20 MINUTES) ¨ Jump In: “Text Truth ¨ Explorer Guides: Bibles, ¨ Bible Skills: balloons; 3” and “Church Carving” Explorer Guides, pens index cards labeled (Slides), copy paper ¨ Review: dry erase board, Matthew 8:27, ¨ Examine the Text: dry erase marker, “Review Matthew 10:1, and Bibles; “Christ in Context: Questions” (Printables) Matthew 28:18; “Allergy Matthew,” “Matthew and ¨ Tech Connect Alert” (Printables); Bibles More Map,” and “M&M (Optional): a device with ¨ Move: none Map Labels” item 3 the LifeWay Kids app ¨ Make: 12-ounce clear (Poster Pack); yarn; tape plastic bottles, water, ¨ Play the Video: Explore baby oil, funnel, markers, the Bible on Location pitcher, blue food video coloring, “Allergy Alert” ¨ Memory Verse: (Printables) “1 John 4:9” (Poster Pack) ¨ Explore: none ¨ Prayer: Family Cards, copy paper from Jump In

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JESUS WALKED ON WATER Matthew 14:22-33 CHRIST IN CONTEXT: In the Book of Matthew, After Jesus fed over 5,000 people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat Jesus is the fulfillment of and go across the Sea of Galilee ahead of Him. After the crowds left, Jesus Old Testament promises. went up the mountain to pray. He stayed there for a long time into the He is the King that God’s people had been waiting for. middle of the night. As Matthew told the story of Jesus’ life, death, and Meanwhile the disciples were sailing across the sea when a storm came. The resurrection, he described waves beat against the boat. The wind blew fiercely. Jesus as King and Messiah. Jesus reigns over all and He In the very early morning as it stormed, Jesus came walking on the sea to has power over everything— the disciples. When the disciples saw Him they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” even death. they yelled in fear. “Have courage. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus told the disciples. “If it’s You, Lord,” Peter said, “tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come.” Jesus said to Peter. Peter climbed out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and began to sink. “Lord, save me.” Peter cried to Jesus. Jesus reached out and grabbed Peter’s hand. “You have little faith. Why do you doubt Me?” Jesus asked Peter. When they reached the boat and climbed in, the wind stopped. The disciples worshiped Jesus and said, “You are the Son of God.”

DON’T FORGET TO SEND HOME THESE FAMILY RESOURCES EACH WEEK: • “Explore the Bible at Home” (Printables) • Explore the Bible: Kids Family Cards

BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) TOOLS: Need an Opening Activity? Choose one of the activities in the Activities • Jump In: “Text Truth 3” and section and adapt it to introduce the session. “Church Carving” (Slides), copy paper JUMP IN • Examine the Text: Bibles; • Welcome the kids back to their five-week journey through Jesus’ earthly “Christ in Context: Matthew,” ministry. “Matthew and More Map,” • Ask an athletic volunteer to show great strength. Direct this person to and “M&M Map Labels” item pick up a piece of copy paper. 3 (Poster Pack); yarn; tape • Ask: “Could you still do it if we doubled the amount of paper?” When • Play the Video: Explore the that weight is demonstrated double the pages to four and eight. Bible on Location video • Memory Verse: “1 John 4:9” • Explain that if you doubled the pages 10 times, it would be a full ream (Poster Pack) (package) of paper. If you doubled it 20 times, you would have over 1,000 • Prayer: Family Cards, copy reams of paper or 100 full cases. Point out that this would weigh around paper from Jump In 5,000 pounds. • Emphasize that no matter how strong a person might be, eventually they will come up against a weight that they cannot lift. • Give a couple of other examples of human limitations. No matter how good your eyesight, there will be things you cannot see. No matter how fast you are, there will still be a limit. • Explain that Jesus showed that He was not like ordinary people. Instead, He had no limits. • Lead the group in reading the Text Truth together: Jesus is the Son of God, so He is omnipotent. • Display the “Church Carving.” • Ask: “What Bible story do you think we are studying today?” Allow kids to share their guesses. Then reveal that this carving is on the outside wall of a church in Egypt.

EXAMINE THE TEXT • Point out that this story is found in Matthew 14:22-33, just after Jesus fed the 5,000. • Arrange some chairs in the front of the room to form a “boat.” • Enlist volunteers (or the entire group) to act out today’s story. Assign someone to play Jesus, someone for Peter, and the remainder as other disciples. • Gather the actors on one side of the room, away from the “boat.” • Begin reading through the passage, from your Bible or from the story page. Pause at appropriate times to provide stage directions for the kids. • Be sure that the disciples get into the boat after verse 22 and that Jesus begins praying after 23. • Continue through the story, making sure that the interaction between Jesus and all the disciples as well as with Peter is clear. • Guide the disciples to declare: “Truly you are the Son of God” at the conclusion.

• Allow the group to speculate on how Jesus could have achieved this act if He were not God’s Son. Note that not only did Jesus walk on the water but He also stopped the winds from blowing too. • Ask: “What can Jesus not do? Nothing. Jesus is the Son of God, so He is omnipotent. Omnipotent means ‘all-powerful.’ There is nothing Jesus cannot do.” • Point out the “Matthew and More Map” with the labels from the previous Bible study to review the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Allow a volunteer to place today’s “M&M Map Label” on the wall, connecting it with yarn to the middle of the Sea of Galilee.

PLAY THE VIDEO • Play the Session 3 video. • Ask: “What amazing location did Joel visit? Did Joel find a special way to walk on water? Who walked on water in today’s Bible story?”

MEMORY VERSE ¨ Bonus Verse Option: The Memory Verse activity each week is focused on the monthly Memory Verse, 1 John 4:9. If your kids quickly memorize the Memory Verse, you may opt to challenge them to learn an additional weekly Bonus Verse. This week’s Bonus Verse is 2 Corinthians 5:7.

• Display the “1 John 4:9” poster, asking the kids to read it aloud twice. • Arrange the group in a circle and conceal the poster. • Point to someone and ask for the first word in the verse. Proceed left or right and allow each succeeding person to say the next word. • Whenever an error is made, restart the verse and continue. If the process bogs down with many errors, allow the group to refresh their memories by referring to the poster.

PRAYER • Give out the Family Cards, pointing out the image of the church carving. Emphasize that this carving, while very old, does not go back to the days of Jesus and the first disciples. • Note that from 2,000 years ago all the way to today people have been amazed and strengthened by this story and the evidence that Jesus is the omnipotent Son of God. • Pick up the copy paper as if it were a very difficult task. Note that no matter how strong or brave or rich or talented we might be, we all have limits. Emphasize that Jesus, as God’s Son, has no limits. • Close the session in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus, His omnipotent Son, to do the things that we do not have the ability to do, starting with delivering us from sin and death.

APPLY THE TRUTH (20 MINUTES)

I TOOLS: EXPLORER GUIDES B • Explorer Guides: Bibles, • Distribute Explorer Guides and help kids find today’s pages, “Jesus Explorer Guides, pens Walked on Water.” • Review: dry erase board, • Invite a kid to read “Watery Weather.” dry erase marker, “Review • Direct kids to examine the “Galilean Fishing Boat.” Questions” (Printables) • Help kids recall the Bible story as they solve the “Walking on Water • Tech Connect (Optional): a Crossword.” device with the LifeWay Kids • Select a volunteer to read about today’s object, the “Church Carving.” app • Conclude by guiding kids to complete the activity, “Distraction Drawing.”

REVIEW E • Write the word omnipotent on the board. Ask the kids to explain this V

word. O • Ensure that they understand that it means “all powerful” or “possessing unlimited power.” M • Use the “Review Questions” to ask some questions about the story.

TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) • Prior to Small Group, download the LifeWay Kids app. Use the activity labeled “Explorer Plus” in the Explore the Bible: Kids section of the app.

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ACTIVITIES (20 MINUTES)

• Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows. MAK EXP MOV IBLE E L E B S O K R I MA L O IBL E L

K EXPL M VE B E S E S O K R I L WHO CAN?

E L S LIFTING LIGHTS Tools: none

Tools: balloons; index cards labeled nvite• I the group to spread out and perform Matthew 8:27, Matthew 10:1 , and each task that you call out. Matthew 28:18; “Allergy Alert” (Printables); • Who can ... Bibles ▸Stand on one leg? ▸Jump up and down 3 times? ¨ flateIn enough balloons for the entire group. ▸Make circles with your arms? ▸Snap your fingers? • nvite I the group to summarize the story of ▸Whistle? Jesus walking on water. ▸Rub your tummy while patting your head? • Ask them to speculate on how they would ▸Stand on your tiptoes? have responded had they been in the boat. ▸Jog in place for 30 seconds? Would they have believed, based on what they ▸Stare without blinking? saw, that Jesus was truly God’s Son? ▸Hold your breath for 20 seconds? • Allow the group to name other examples of ▸Do 10 jumping jacks? how Jesus demonstrated His great power. ▸Wink? • Arrange the kids into two groups facing each ▸Walk on water? other. Give each participant a balloon and a ▸Stop a storm? Bible. • Discuss how no one in the room can do the • Direct the group, at your signal, to locate the last two tasks. Talk about how Jesus was the verse from one of the index cards in their only One who could because Jesus is the Son Bible while keeping the balloon balanced on of God, so He is omnipotent. their heads. • Ask kids to name other things that only Jesus • Read the Scripture reference and allow the can/could do. kids to begin. • Conclude by saying the Text Truth together: hichever person from each facing pair • W Jesus is the Son of God, so He is locates the verse first without allowing the omnipotent. balloon to fall is the winner. • Invite one of the winning players to read the verse and note how it discusses Jesus’ omnipotence. • Arrange the winning players in new facing pairs. Repeat the activity with the second verse. • Announce that for the final round, to name the overall winner, you will include all the eliminated players. When the others protest, note that you are not omnipotent but you have complete power over this game. • Allow all participants to compete to find the third Scripture. Jesus • Conclude by reviewing the Text Truth: is the Son of God, so He is omnipotent.

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E L E L S MAKING WAVES PITTSBURGH PEOPLE S Tools: 12-ounce clear plastic bottles, water, Tools: none baby oil, funnel, markers, pitcher, blue food coloring, “Allergy Alert” (Printables) hare• S today’s missions story: ¨ f theI bottles have labels, remove them as ▸Many people say there are two sides to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There’s completely as possible beforehand. the “historic side”—the one with factories, ¨ Prepare one of the wave bottles beforehand smokestacks, and steel mills. It is the side to show. that was once considered the “mighty city that built the world.” Many people from • llow A the group to speculate on what the seas Pittsburgh are proud of where they came looked like in Matthew 14. Challenge them from, but they are also excited about where to point to evidence from the text for their they are going—the “up and coming side.” conclusions. These days, it’s not easy to find a steel • Display your wave bottle and ask if the waves mill, but you don’t need to look hard to find might have looked like that. a tech company, new businesses, or new • Guide the group to make their own wave construction. bottles. ▸Now, Pittsburgh is home to many people • Add blue food coloring to a pitcher of water. who are looking to move to a modern There should be about six ounces for each city with lots of potential. That makes it person. the perfect place for missionaries too! • Give each kid a bottle and fill the bottle Missionaries are partnering with other halfway with blue water, using the funnel to pastors and Jesus followers to reach all avoid a mess. sides of this city with the gospel. God is at • Finish filling each bottle with baby oil—again, work in Pittsburgh! Churches are starting. about six ounces per person—making sure People are choosing to follow Jesus and to leave as little air space in the bottle as lead others to Jesus! You can partner with possible. Pittsburgh too. Pray that the whole city will • Replace the bottle’s cap securely before become a gospel-centered city! showing the resulting wave bottle. • Explain that a famous sandwich in • Direct the kids to write Jesus is the Son of God, Pennsylvania is the Philly Cheese Steak so He is omnipotent on their water bottles. sandwich. It has thin slices of beef, grilled • Challenge them to take their bottle and share peppers and onions, melted cheese and is the effect with others, using that experience served on a sub roll. as a way to open a discussion about Jesus as • Say: “Part of missions is learning what the Son of God. the people around you like best—like their • Note that such conversations might make us favorite sandwich! Missionaries want to nervous, but remind them that by having faith know a lot about the people they are sharing in Jesus, Peter could walk on the water. Ask: the gospel with. What do you think are some “Can’t an omnipotent Jesus help us have a favorite foods of people in our community?” conversation with people?”