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Miracles - Part 2

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan.  Visit the Jesus Walks on Water Bible lesson plan Section for further ideas to supplement this. 

Introduction:

This second lesson is the miracle of Jesus walking on water.  It will help younger children to understand that we are safe with Jesus.  We are safer with Jesus in the storm than sitting on a curb in the calm without Jesus.  Bad things still happen to us but what would we do without Him in times of trouble?  He is our comfort and only He knows the reason why things happen and can help us grow through times of difficulty.

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1: Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be safe.
  
Grades 2 and 3: Even in the storms of life keep your eyes on Jesus .

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple: Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be safe.  For the older children, we expand on this message and say that even in life's storms, keep your eyes on Jesus.  Again, bad things do happen to Christians.  With sin in the world, lots of bad things happen.  To know that God is with us and we will be with him in Heaven someday; we just have to keep focused on Him so we don't start to drown like Peter.

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the Jesus Walks on Water Take Home Sheet  home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering  Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort! 

Description

Time Allotted

Supplies
Welcome!  

Receive name tags.  Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag.

Sing the Learning our Names song

 10 to 15 minutes Wave name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.

Craft time!

Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Jesus walks on water paper craft/puppet.  This craft has the message, "Keep your eyes on Jesus" on it.  It is optional if you would like to make Jesus a puppet that the child can walk on the water.


Grade 2 and 3:  Make the Origami Boat.  Yes, the boat will really float, but as the paper gets saturated with water, it will sink and be ruined.  This can actually start a neat discussion about what made the boat float to begin with and then what made it sink.  Instead of the craft you can use the Jesus Walks on Water Maze.  Or you could send this home with the kids.

 15 to 30 minutes 
depending on your
adult/child ratio		 Preschool thru Grade 1:  Jesus walks on water paper craft template.  printer, paper, scissors, glue, crayons, blue or white construction paper. OPTIONAL: Drinking straw and masking tape.

Grade 2 and 3: Origami Boat template.  piece of paper or newspaper.

Bible Story:

Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read The Story of Jesus Walks on Water (or read from your own store bought children's bible).   

Grades 2 and 3:  It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. 

 10 minutes The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story.  

 

Closing:

Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children why they think that Peter started to sink.  How can they "keep their eyes on Jesus" (keep believing in Him, even when bad things happen).

Grade 2 and 3:  depending on the time remaining allow the children to discuss if they would've watched Jesus walk on water or ask to join Jesus on the water like Peter.  Why do bad things still happen to those of us that believe in God? (all the sin in the world)  Why should we follow God when something bad happens to us? 

All Grades: Make the Jesus Walks on Water snack  to help reinforce the lesson.  

Standard ending song:  for example

We love to learn together, 
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.

substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc

(to the tune of The More We Get Together)

 5 to 15 minutes  

Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)

 

 

 

 

 

Words to:

standard ending song