• Faith: trust in God and His promises

Matt 14:22-33
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

Col 1:16-17
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Sing: Jesus Walks on the Water by Sharon Broome (click for lyrics and tune)
 
Craft: Trace child's foot on a piece of blue paper. Draw waves under the foot. Decorate with stickers of fish. Draw the boat.
 
Play: Follow the Leader: clap, hop, turn around, put arms up, sit down, hands on hips. Discuss what it means to follow a leader and be a disciple.
 
Memory Work: Act out the verse: Have students design and memorize motions to the verse: "When Peter came out of the boat, he walked on the water to Jesus."

True and False

1. Peter could only walk on water if there were no waves.  F
2. Peter needed to believe in himself.     F
3. Jesus is in control of all the world.    T
4. The disciples believed Jesus was the son of God after seeing the miracle.    T
5. Jesus did miracles in order to be famous and popular.   F

1. What does it mean to have faith? to trust in someone
2. What is a miracle? When God does something "impossible" for man
3. Fill in the blank: "O you of little _________, why did you doubt?"

1. Act out Peter beginning to sink.
2. Sing the Apostles song.
3. Play a quick game of follow-the-leader. (Table top version  - the other kids make the same hand motions that the leader does)

1. How did the the disciples feel when they first saw Jesus? (they were scared)
2. What feeling made Peter begin to sink? (fear and doubt)
3. What feeling did Jesus express when he said, "O you of little faith"? (perhaps disappointment, rebuke)

1. Is God in control of the earth today? yes
2. Can we get into troubles that God can't help us out of? no
3. Will we ever be asked to do things based on God's strength, and not ours? Yes

1. What was the weather like when Jesus appeared?  stormy
2. Who asked to walk on the water with Jesus? Peter
3. What made Peter afraid? the strong winds

1. Did Peter walk on the water by his own power? no - it was Jesus'
2. Does God ask us to do things without giving us the means to do them? never
3. Who should we trust in to accomplish our work here? God