What can kids learn from Jesus calming the storm?

They can learn that when life feels scary and out of control, Jesus is still present, still powerful, and still able to bring real peace.

A Message from FA Memphis

At First Assembly Memphis, we believe that the stories we tell our children become the foundation of their faith. Life can sometimes feel like a big, swirling ocean, and even at seven, eight, or nine years old, the “waves” of school, friendships, or the dark can feel overwhelming. This story is designed to help your child see that Jesus isn’t just a character from a long time ago, He is the Prince of Peace who is right there in the boat with them today. We invite you to read this together, perhaps tucked under a warm blanket, and wonder together at the power of a Savior who speaks to the wind.

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Chapter 1: The Golden Glow and the Heavy Oars

Leo loved the way the Sea of Galilee looked when the sun began to dip behind the hills. It turned the water into a sheet of dancing gold and purple. Leo wasn’t a fisherman like Peter or Andrew, but he was a “helper.” Today, his job had been to carry baskets of bread and keep the water jars full while Jesus taught the giant crowds on the shore.

It had been a long, beautiful, and very tiring day.

“Alright, everyone,” Jesus said, His voice warm and kind even though He looked exhausted. “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”

Leo hopped into the big wooden boat. He loved the smell of the lake, salt, wet wood, and old fishing nets. He found a cozy spot near the front, tucked behind some heavy coils of rope. As the disciples began to row, the rhythmic thump-splash, thump-splash of the oars acted like a lullaby.

He watched Jesus walk to the back of the boat. While the disciples argued about who was going to steer and where the best landing spot was, Jesus simply laid His head on a leather cushion and fell fast asleep.

“He must be really tired,” Leo whispered to himself. He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. The air was getting cooler, and the gold of the sunset was fading into a deep, moody gray.

Chapter 2: The Giant in the Dark

The change happened so fast that Leo didn’t have time to stand up. One minute, the water was like a mirror; the next, it was like a hungry giant.

A sudden blast of wind whipped Leo’s hair across his face. The boat, which had felt so sturdy and strong just moments ago, suddenly felt like a tiny toy made of matchsticks. Wham! A wave crashed over the side, soaking Leo’s sandals.

“Lower the sail!” Peter shouted, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.

“Bail the water out!” Andrew yelled back, grabbing a bucket.

Leo felt a cold knot of fear tighten in his stomach. He had been on the water before, but never like this. The sky was pitch black, lit only by flashes of lightning that turned the world a scary, electric blue. Every time the boat tipped, Leo felt like he might slide right into the churning, foamy water.

He looked at the disciples. These were grown men. They were brave. They were strong. But when Leo saw the look in their eyes, his heart hammered even harder. They weren’t just working hard; they were terrified.

“We’re going to sink!” someone cried out.

Leo crawled toward the back of the boat, his hands slipping on the wet wood. He needed to find something to hold onto. He looked down and gasped.

There was Jesus.

In the middle of the crashing waves, the screaming wind, and the splashing water, Jesus was still asleep. His chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. He looked perfectly at peace, as if He were lying in a soft bed at home instead of a tossing boat in a hurricane.

Leo felt a strange flicker of wonder. How can He sleep? Doesn’t He know the storm is winning?

The disciples couldn’t take it anymore. They rushed to Jesus and shook Him. “Teacher! Don’t you care that we are about to drown?”

Chapter 3: The Voice That the Wind Obeys

Jesus opened His eyes. He didn’t look startled. He didn’t look afraid. He stood up, steadying Himself against the rocking boat as easily as if He were standing on solid ground.

Leo watched from the floor of the boat, his eyes wide. Jesus looked out at the wild, angry waves and the screaming wind. He didn’t yell. He didn’t have to.

“Silence,” Jesus said. “Be still.”

In an instant: not a minute later, not slowly, but instantly: the wind stopped howling. The giant waves flattened into tiny ripples. The clouds parted, and the stars began to peek through the dark.

The silence was so heavy you could hear the water dripping off the oars. Leo let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. The knot in his stomach untied itself.

Jesus turned to His friends. His voice was gentle, but it held a question that made Leo think. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples whispered among themselves, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”

Leo reached out and touched the edge of the wooden boat. It was still wet, and his clothes were still damp, but the fear was gone. He realized that as long as Jesus was in the boat, the size of the storm didn’t actually matter. The storm was loud, but Jesus was stronger.

As the boat drifted quietly toward the shore, Leo looked at Jesus and smiled. He knew that the next time he felt afraid: whether it was of the dark, or a loud noise, or something new: he would remember the Voice that the wind obeys. He would remember that he was never alone in the boat.

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Supplemental Materials Pack

Coloring Page Description

The Scene: A dramatic but beautiful watercolor-style image of the boat on the Sea of Galilee. In the center, Jesus is standing tall and calm with His hand outstretched. The waves on one side of the boat are high and frothy (using deep blues and purples), while the waves on the other side are becoming smooth and calm (using light teals and gold). A young boy (Leo) is seen peeking out from behind a wooden mast with a look of awe on his face.

Memory Verse: Psalm 56:3

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Reflection Questions (Ages 7-9)

1. Cause and Effect: Why do you think the disciples were so scared even though Jesus was right there with them?

2. The Turning Point: How did the boat change the very second Jesus spoke? What does that tell us about who Jesus is?

3. Personal Connection: What are some “storms” in your life that make you feel afraid? How can you “wake up” your heart to remember Jesus is with you?

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Parent Integration Guide: Walking in Peace

Heart of the Story

This story illustrates the divine authority of Jesus over creation and His intimate care for His followers. For children aged 7-9, fear is often a very real, physical sensation. By focusing on the character of Leo, children can project their own anxieties onto the story and see them resolved through Christ’s presence.

Theological Root: This narrative aligns with the truth that Jesus is both fully man (He was tired and slept) and fully God (He commanded nature). In the Pentecostal tradition, we emphasize the “Peace of God which passes all understanding” through the Holy Spirit.

Parent Discussion Guide

Ages 3–6: Focus on the “Shhh!” moment. Ask: “Can you make a loud storm sound? Now, can you be as quiet as Jesus made the water?” Remind them that Jesus loves to give us quiet hearts.

Ages 7–9: Discuss the difference between “being afraid” and “trusting.” Is it okay to feel scared? Yes! But what do we do with that feeling? We bring it to Jesus. You might enjoy reading more about walking in His peace.

Ages 10–12: Talk about the disciples’ question: “Who is this?” Explore the identity of Jesus as the Creator. Discuss how trusting God in small fears builds courage for bigger challenges later in life.

Hands-On Faith: The “Peace in the Pause” Jar

Items needed: A clear jar, water, blue food coloring, and glitter.

1. Fill the jar with water and a drop of blue food coloring.

2. Add glitter (this represents our busy, scary thoughts during a storm).

3. The Activity: Shake the jar vigorously. Watch the “storm” of glitter swirl around. This is how our hearts feel when we are worried.

4. Spiritual Connection Script: “When we feel like this glitter: swirling and messy: we can stop and pray. Let’s set the jar down.”

5. As the glitter settles to the bottom, say: “Just like Jesus calmed the lake, His Spirit calms our hearts when we focus on Him. See how clear the water is now? That is the peace He wants to give you.”

For more resources on family discipleship, visit our Media Page.

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Boundless Online Church

An outreach ministry of First Assembly Memphis

www.boundlessonlinechurch.org

www.famemphis.org

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