Dear Parent:

The goal of this week’s lesson is to teach your child to trust Jesus through the storms. As parents and as Christians, we know it is easy to praise God during sunny skies and colorful rainbows. But, when the storm blows in, who is the first person we should call on? Jesus. Who will be the one to give us strength and peace until the storm blows over and the dust settles? Jesus. The earlier this concept can be grasped by your child - the better off he or she will be during the storms of life. Godspeed and may He grace your play time today.

 

Materials Needed: Transparent water bottle, scissors, water, blue food coloring, 1/2 tablespoon of sand, and 1 small marshmallow

 

Scripture Reference: Matthew 8:23-27

Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him.  Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"  He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey Him!"

 

Today's Script:

 

Do you like storms?

 

(Let your child answer.)

 

What happens during a big storm?

 

(Let your child answer.  Prompt them, if necessary, with storm features: wind, rain, thunder, and lighting.)

 

Storms can be very powerful and fierce, huh?

 

Do you think it is possible to stay calm in a storm?  I do!  Because I know Jesus!  

 

Today, we are going to make a storm!  Yes, you heard me right!  We are going to make a storm together.

 

First, we need an empty bottle. We can use scissors to remove the label.

 

The second step is to fill our bottle to be about 2/3 full of water.  

 

Next, we can add a few drops of blue food coloring.

 

Finally, we need to add 1/2 tablespoon of sand.  

 

Perfect!  Are you ready to watch our storm?

 

Let's shake the water bottle and watch the storm. 

 

Pretty neat, huh?

 

Jesus was in a storm once, and He was actually able to make the storm calm down!  

 

In the bible, it says, “Without warning a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the (Jesus’) boat.  But, Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us!’.  

 

And, Jesus did! He woke up and calmed the winds and waves.  The disciples were amazed that even the wind and waves obeyed Jesus!

 

Let’s make another storm, ask Jesus to help us through it and watch the waters calm down!

 

(Shake the water bottle.) 

 

Do you see the storm?  Now, let’s ask Jesus to help and to calm the storm!

 

Look! It worked! Isn’t it comforting to see water calm down and the dust settle down as well?

 

Next, let’s pretend that you are this little marshmallow here.  Let’s add you into the bottle and close it back up.  There you are, just going about your day, and floating on top of the water.

 

Now, let’s imagine something unpleasant happened.  What are some examples of things in life that can make us feel like we are in a storm?

 

(Help your child relate the storm in the bottle to something your family has been through.  It could be an ill grandparent, a house move, or even a real storm!)  

 

Yes, (insert example here) did feel like a storm.  It felt scary and out of control, right?  

 

(Shake the bottle by rolling the bottle on the floor to really get the storm spinning.)

 

Wow!  Look at THAT storm!  Look at you, the marshmallow, being tossed and turned all over the place.  Now, let’s say a prayer together.  

 

“Dear God, please be with me in the storms of life.  Please help me remember to come to you in prayer when I am feeling whirled by the winds of change or sadness.  Please calm things down.  Please calm me down so that I can feel your comfort and your peace. AMEN"

 

See!  The water is calming and the dust is settling once again.  

 

Do you see how Jesus helped  you through the storm?  Praise God for that!

 

No matter what kind of storm is brewing or blowing through our lives, God can calm our hearts and help us through the storm.

 

Do you want to make another storm? Will Jesus help us through this one as well?

 

(Keep playing.  Add a marshmallow for each member of your family.  Give more "storm" examples.  Reiterate the lesson.  And, may God calm all of the storms for you and your family.)