Jesus Walked on Water

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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.

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© 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?”

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© 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 to collect the offering, 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

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© 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.

OPTION 2: On eggshells Spread a plastic tablecloth over the floor and arrange two • 2 dozen eggs cartons of eggs next to each other. Invite a volunteer to • plastic tablecloth stand on the eggs. Can she do it without breaking them? • hand wipes Guide the volunteer to remove her shoes and socks. Tip: Inspect eggs Assist her in stepping onto the first open carton of eggs with before the session one foot and then onto the second open carton with the to make sure none are cracked. other foot. Step back so her full weight is on the eggs. Allow additional volunteers to stand on the eggs. Encourage kids Note: If an egg to wipe their hands and feet after touching eggs. breaks, thoroughly clean and disinfect SAY • How did you feel standing on the eggs? Were you the area. afraid they would break? In today’s Bible story, one of Jesus’ disciples stepped out of the boat—not to walk on eggs, but to walk on water!

Transition to teach the story

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Countdown • countdown video Show the countdown video as you transition to teach the story. Set it to end as the session begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes) • leader attire [Leader enters wearing business casual attire and a headset. He • beach towel or she also carries a beach towel and a Bible.] • Bible LEADER • Hello there! Welcome to The Big Picture Travel Tip: If you prefer Agency. My name is [your name]. [Study the kids.] not to use Oh, I’m glad to see you again! Listen, I know you themed content didn’t come to book cruise tickets, but I have to tell or characters, adapt or omit this you about a new excursion I recently heard about. introduction. As part of a cruise package, you can choose a dry snorkeling excursion. That might sound strange, but it’s great for people who don’t want to get wet. You can get in a boat that has a glass bottom and see all the fish and other ocean creatures without even putting on a pair of goggles! [Hold up a Bible.] You know, today’s Bible story is about a time Jesus walked on water. I wonder why He did that. Do you think He didn’t want to get wet? Let’s ﬁ nd out.

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© 2020 LifeWay Big picture question (1 minute) LEADER • When you hear about the miracle Jesus performed in today’s Bible story, think about our big picture question. Jesus didn’t do miracles to impress people or show off. Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

Giant timeline (1 minute) Show the giant timeline. Point to individual Bible stories as • Giant Timeline you review. LEADER • A couple weeks ago, we learned about a time Jesus’ disciples were overwhelmed by a storm. They thought they were going to die! When they cried out to Jesus, Jesus calmed a storm to show the disciples He is God. Another time, Jesus was teaching on a crowd when the disciples realized the people needed to eat. But they did not have enough food for everyone. Jesus miraculously fed a crowd with five loaves and two fish. After sending away the crowd and telling His disciples to go back across the sea, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. He met the disciples again on the sea. Today’s Bible story is called “Jesus Walked on

Water.” • Bibles • “Jesus Walked on Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Water” video Open your Bible to Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6. Use the • Big Picture Question Poster Bible storytelling tips on the Bible story page to help you • Bible Story Picture tell the story, or show the Bible story video “Jesus Walked Poster on Water.” • Story Point Poster

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© 2020 LifeWay LEADER • While the disciples were on the sea, Jesus was alone, praying up on a mountain. Jesus’ time on earth would not last much longer. Jesus was getting ready to complete His Father’s plan. Before long, He would die on the cross and rescue people from sin. e disciples were crossing the sea in their boat. Once again, they were having some trouble. Strong winds pushed the boat, and they couldn’t make much progress. Imagine how tired they were when they looked up and saw something that terrifi ed them! What did the disciples see? Look in your Bibles at Matthew 14:25-26. [Allow kids to read the verses and respond.] e disciples thought they were seeing a ghost, but the fi gure was Jesus. Peter wanted to walk on the water too. Jesus told him to come out on the water, and Peter walked to Him. e wind and waves were still strong. What happened when Peter took his eyes off Jesus? Look at Matthew 14:30. [Allow kids to read the verse and respond.] Jesus showed He is God by walking on water, but Peter was afraid and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus, and Jesus reached out and caught him. Tip: Use Scripture ey got into the boat, and the wind stopped. e and the guide disciples worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. provided on page 197 to explain how to become a Christ connection Christian. Make LEADER • Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, sure kids know when and where teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is they can ask who He says He is. Only Jesus can save us when we questions. look to Him in faith.

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© 2020 LifeWay Questions from kids video (3 minutes) Show the “Unit 24, Session 3” questions from kids video. • “Unit 24, Session 3” Prompt kids to think about what they can do to increase questions from kids video their faith. Guide them to discuss who or what they look to in order to be secure. Where is their faith?

Missions moment (3 minutes) LEADER • Jesus showed He is God by walking • “Around the World in on water. That was a miracle! Missionaries can’t 80 Ways” missions walk on water, but they can travel in different ways. video Let’s watch some of the ways that missionaries travel around the world to share the gospel. Show the missions video. Then ask kids which ways they would choose to travel if they had their choice. Remind kids that God uses Christians who give to missions as a way to provide the transportation missionaries need. Close in prayer, thanking God for missionaries who use various means of transportation to share the gospel.

Key passage (5 minutes) Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read • Key Passage Poster together Psalm 40:5. • “None Can Compare with You LEADER • King David wrote Psalm 40. We can find this (Psalm 40:5)” psalm in the Old Testament. David experienced God’s care and deliverance for himself, and he knew God has wonderful plans for His people too. Let’s sing our key passage song. Lead boys and girls in singing “None Can Compare with You (Psalm 40:5).”

Sing (4 minutes) • “Miracle Maker” song Open your Bible and read aloud Psalm 31:14-16. • Bible

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© 2020 LifeWay LEADER • King David also wrote these words in Psalm 31. The Lord directs our lives and has the power to rescue us from our enemies. Like Peter, we can look to Jesus for salvation. He is the faithful Miracle Maker, and He loves us. Let’s sing. Sing together “Miracle Maker.”

Pray (2 minutes) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to apply the story. LEADER • Father God, when our eyes fall away from You, fear and doubt fill our minds. Draw us back to Yourself. Fix our eyes on Jesus, who saves us from our sin. You created the wind and the waves. You are in control of everything that happens. Help us trust You. You are good, and You love us. Amen.

Dismiss to apply the story

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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

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© 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.

OPTION 2: Eyes on Jesus • plastic eggs, 1 per kid Form two teams of kids. Give each player a plastic egg and • spoons, 1 per kid a spoon. Instruct teams to line up on one side of the room. • buckets, 1 per team • Bible Story Picture Position a bucket for each team on the opposite side of the room and tape a copy of the Bible story picture to the wall above each bucket. Explain that the first player on each team will race to the Option: Review the bucket with an egg on her spoon, but she must keep her gospel with boys eyes on Jesus the whole time. When a kid drops her egg into and girls. Explain the bucket, the next player may begin. If a player drops her that kids are welcome to speak egg, she should start over. with you or another SAY • Was it easy or difficult to keep your eyes on Jesus? teacher if they What in your life might distract you from Jesus? have questions. [Allow kids to respond.] Jesus showed He is God by walking on water.

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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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