The big ideaThe Bible tells us Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves, and they went calm.
How it works
The Bible tells of a day beside a big, blue lake. A crowd came to hear Jesus teach, and in the evening he and his friends sailed across.
Jesus was very tired. He lay on a soft cushion at the back of the boat and fell fast asleep.
A wild wind came, and big waves splashed into the boat. The friends were afraid, so they woke Jesus.
Jesus stood up and told the wind and the waves to be still. They stopped, and the lake went calm.
The story in a row.
⛵a small wooden boat with oars🛋️a soft cushion🌬️slow, quiet breaths🏞️a calm lake
In the story.
Example 1: Make little waves
Float a paper boat in a bowl of water.
Blow softly to make little waves, then stop.
In the story the wind stopped and the waves went down, down, down.
Example 2: Breathe like a calm lake
Sit together and breathe in slowly.
Breathe out slowly, as quiet as a calm lake.
Do it three times. Slow breaths can help you feel calm.
Example 3: Tell someone when you feel afraid
Think of a time you felt afraid at night.
The friends in the boat were afraid, and they hurried to Jesus.
You can tell a grown-up, who can sit with you.
Example 4: Whoosh and hush
Say whoosh, whoosh, whoosh with big arms, like the wind.
Then say be still, and make everything quiet.
Notice how still a quiet room can be.
Words to know
lake
A big stretch of water with land around it.
waves
Hills of water that move.
cushion
A soft pillow to rest on.
calm
Quiet and still.
Watch out
The boat was small and wooden, with oars. It had no engine.
The friends felt afraid. Jesus did not send them away. He asked a kind question, why were you so afraid?
Some little boats sailed along with them.
Try it
Where did Jesus sleep in the boat?
What did the wild wind make?
What happened when Jesus said be still?
You feel afraid at night. What can you do?
Answers: 1. On a soft cushion · 2. Big waves · 3. The wind stopped and the lake went calm · 4. Tell a grown-up
Try at homeWith a grown-up, take three slow, quiet breaths and think of a calm lake. Then say a quiet thank you to God.
For grown-upsTake three slow breaths together at bedtime and think of a calm lake. If your child has big questions about the story, it is fine to say you will wonder about them together.
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