Lesson 4: Jesus walks on water.
Passage: Mark 6:45-52 - After miraculously feeding a crowd of 5000, Jesus told his disciples to get on the boat and go ahead of him to another town. After they left, he dismissed the crowd and went up to a mountainside to pray, before walking on the water to catch up to his disciples. When they saw Jesus, they thought he was a ghost and were terrified. Jesus announced that it was him, and the disciples were amazed, but they still didn’t understand who Jesus was.
Big Idea: Jesus is patient with us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Lesson Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Introduce yourself and welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Water Sensory bins - using the supplies provided invite the kids to play and imagine a boat on the lake in the bible story, and Jesus walking across the water.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles. This one also involves water!
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was happening in the story?
How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when they saw him walking on the water? How would you feel if you saw someone doing that?
How did Jesus help his friends to not be afraid?
What do you think this story teaches us about Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the miracle of Jesus we learned about today — how he walked on the water! Thank you that even though his friends were scared and didn’t understand who he really was, Jesus was patient with them. Thank you that you are always patient with us too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
Jesus walking on water craft. Using the supplies provided create a picture of Jesus on the water.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Using the roster iPad manually check out each child and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader
Have the children gather at the front of the classroom. Take time to introduce yourself and the other leaders and welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
The Floor is lava. Use floor dots to try to stay off the 'lava’.Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re learning about another one of Jesus’ amazing miracles. Can you remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far? Today’s story is all about a time when Jesus actually walked on top of the water!
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was happening in the story?
How did the disciples feel when they saw Jesus walking on the water?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about Jesus’ miracle of walking on the water, and Jesus was patient with his friends when they didn’t fully understand who he was. Thank you that you are patient with us too and that we can lean on you when we are feeling confused on afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
Jesus walking on water craft. Using the supplies provided (popsicle sticks, glue and tissue paper, make a craft of today’s bible story.
Dismissal: Using the iPad roster make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Floating Minute to Win it Game
Using a large bowl of water, with a plastic plate floating on top of the water. Students each get 60 seconds to try and stack 5 empty cans on top of each other without them falling over. If multiple students are able to complete this challenge, measure who does it the fastest.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles. Can anyone remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far? What did they teach us about Jesus?
Today’s miracle is about a time when Jesus walked on the water.
Read: Mark 6:45-52
Let’s watch our video lesson to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus at first, even after seeing him perform miracles?
How did Jesus patiently guide them through their fear?
What does this story teach us about God’s patience with us when we don’t understand?
How can we practice patience with ourselves and others like Jesus does?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about today, about Jesus’ miracle of walking on the water and how he was patient with his disciples even though they didn’t fully understand who he was yet. Thank you that you are always patient with us when we are confused or we don’t understand everything yet about you. Help us to be patient with ourselves and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Activity: — Activity Leader
Jesus Walks on water craft. Using the supplies provided create a craft of the Jesus walking on water.Dismissal: Using the roster iPad manually check out each child and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus walking on water? Is that pretty cool?
How did Jesus help his friends when they were scared?
Do you think that Jesus is patient with us too when we’re confused or scared?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus walking on water? How would you react if you saw that happening?
Did the disciples understand who Jesus was right away or were they still a bit confused?
Do you think that Jesus is patient with us when we don’t fully understand everything about him or about the Bible?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus at first, even after seeing miracles?
How did Jesus patiently guide them through their fear?
Can you think of a time when Jesus was patient with you, or when you needed patience from someone else?
