‘Danger!’ Childrens Lesson on Jesus Walks on Water

BIG IDEA: I CAN LET JESUS INTO MY LIFE

AIM: The ‘Danger!’ Childrens lesson on Jesus walking on water will challenge your kids to think about what it means to let Jesus into their hearts and lives.

 

ICEBREAKER: What is the most exciting thing you have ever done?

 

SONG IDEAS AND BIBLE STORY VIDEOS available at our dedicated Pinterest board.

 

GAME IDEAS: 

1. Catch the Water Bomb. (regular/widescreen) Stand in a circle and throw a water balloon around the circle. When it pops the person that person that did not catch it is eliminated (unless the person throwing cheated of course!). The last player standing is the winner.
2. Boat racing. (regular/widescreen) You’ll need a long tub or tray and some toy wind up boats to race. Children choose a boat and must wind it up and release it to see if they can win the race.
3. Sinking Ship. (regular/widescreen) Children are given a few different pieces of junk: a butter container, a straw, a napkin, paper, tape and any other items you can think of. As a team they must build a boat. Then find an object that each boat must be able to carry in turn. Test the boats to see whose is able to float and whose is a sinking ship! The team with the boat that floats the best is the winning team.

 

BIG VERSE: JESUS PERFORMED MANY OTHER SIGNS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES. JOHN 20:30A.

Bible verse images (regular/widescreen)

Download Bible Verse Cards.

 

SET the Scene:

Read John 6:16-21. Explain that Jesus is the most exciting person ever – he is able to walk on water! He can do anything! You can also use the Walking on Water Drama.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does this passage tell you about the people in it?
2. What does this passage tell you about God?
3. Who are you like in the passage? What does it tell you about you?
4. Who needs to hear this story? Who will you tell it to?

SPOT the Simple Meaning:

1) JESUS BRINGS PEACE

You will need ear defenders (or sound proof headphones) and a sound system with really loud crazy music to play.

Say: Have you ever been in a scary situation? [Get feedback] The disciples were in a storm. They were scared. Then they saw Jesus and they were still afraid… until Jesus showed them it was him.

You see, when Jesus brings his peace in our lives, the rest of the world can be going crazy but we won’t be tuned into it. We will be listening to His voice and have peace. Watch this: [Put some really loud music on and start to show the kids that the music irritates your ears. Make gestures and pull faces to show that it is awful. Then put the ear defenders on and carry on speaking.]

It doesn’t mean the situation has changed, there is still craziness going on around us, but somehow Jesus helps us not to notice it as much. [Turn the music off, take the ear defenders off and begin to speak normally.]

The ear defenders helped me not to focus on the problem, but to focus on what I was doing. Jesus helped the disciples by showing them that they didn’t need to be afraid of the storm. Jesus brought peace. Jesus still brings peace today. That doesn’t mean that all our problems disappear, it simply means he helps us to focus on what matters and to listen to His voice and not the noise around us.

2. WILL YOU LET HIM IN?

Find the two videos on our Pinterest Board. You will also need a water bottle with food coloring inside it and some bleach.

Say: Did you notice in the story that Jesus didn’t just force his way onto the disciples’ boat? John 6: 21 says, “Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”

[Show Object Lesson_Video 1]

Jesus waited until the disciples were willing. He didn’t push his way in. Perhaps some of us think that Jesus wants to come like a flood into our lives and ruin everything; like this video. But Jesus doesn’t force his way into our lives or our hearts. We have to let him in. Will things need to change? Of course, but he is there to help us.

[Show Object Lesson_Video 2]

Perhaps you are like the door in this second video. Just as the door refuses to let the water in, you refuse to let Jesus in. You think it is protecting you. It is good for a door to protect against a flood. But it isn’t good for our heart to hold back against our Creator. Why? Because we were created to know the One that created us. We were created to know Jesus!

[Show everyone the water bottle] It’s like this water bottle. It has food coloring inside it. The only way I can make it new again is by washing it clean. I need something to clean it and make it new. When I allow Jesus in he comes and cleans my life and my heart. He helps me to live a life that honors God. [Pour in the bleach and watch as the food coloring disappears.]

When we let Jesus into our lives and hearts things will change – for the better! All we have to do is let him in.

SEARCH the Scriptures:

FLAP DOORS. Create a large board with ten different flaps on with different things written behind each of the flaps. Behind two of the flaps should be the memory verse – the children that win these should be given a prize. Behind each of the other flaps should be a lesser prize or a challenge.

We need to receive him:

John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Let Him In:

Revelation 3:20 – Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 

SENSE How You Feel:

1. Door on heart card. Create a heart with a door cut out of it. Then inside place a picture of Jesus with arms open and a smile. Encourage your children to think about what it means to take Jesus into their heart and life.
2. Make the Jesus and Peter popsicle theater.
3. Take Jesus in pop up card. Using the boat, Jesus and Peter print outs from the Jesus and Peter popsicle theater create a pop up card by making two slits in the card for each item. Then push the slit through and glue the item to the sticky out bit. Encourage your children to think about what it means to take Jesus in to their hearts and lives.
4. Create floating boats. Use junk items from your home to help the children make their own floating boats. Is it easy or difficult? Encourage the children to think about how the disciples took Jesus into their boat. Will they take Jesus into their lives also?

5. Color/Fill in the Danger activity sheets for 5-7s and 8-11s.

6. Check out our Walking on Water Pinterest board for more ideas.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever invited Jesus into your heart/life? How did this feel? What happened? If not, have you ever met anyone who has?
2. What has changed since you let Jesus into your heart and life? Are they good or bad changes? Difficult or easy changes?
3. Who in your life needs to invite Jesus into their lives/hearts? How might you invite them to do this?

SEEK God:

Walk with Jesus Response. Have a large piece of paper on the floor and a tray with paint inside. You will also need a tray full of soapy water and some cloths. Make sure children roll up their trousers and take off their socks to do this response station.

Encourage the children to put their feet on the paint and walk along the piece of paper. As they do this, encourage them to think about taking steps of faith with Jesus and allowing Jesus to come into all of their lives – not just a part.

Invite Him in. Write invitations with the children of what they would like Jesus to be a part of in their lives. What do they want to involve Jesus in?

Prayer time: Encourage any children that would like to invite Jesus into their lives to do so. Say a short prayer with them.