Jesus Is With You in the Storm
- Theme:
- Jesus calms the storm
- For:
- Children ages 7-10, parish religious education class
This guide was written by AI and checked automatically. No priest, catechist or other person has reviewed it, so read it through before you lead it. It is not an official publication of the Catholic Church.
Summary
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and his friends are in a little boat when a huge storm crashes over them. Jesus is asleep, and the disciples are scared. Jesus stands up, tells the wind and the waves to be quiet, and everything goes calm. This session helps the children see that Jesus is stronger than any storm and that he is right there with them.
Leader Prep
For you, the leader, to read before the group meets. You don't need to read it aloud.
This story comes near the end of a long day of teaching in Mark chapter 4, when Jesus had been telling crowds one story after another from a boat by the shore. Now evening comes, and Jesus tells his friends to cross to the other side of the lake. On the way a sudden, violent storm hits, and the little boat begins to fill with water. Jesus is asleep in the back. The disciples wake him in a panic, and Jesus tells the wind and the sea to be still. Everything goes calm at once, and the disciples are left wondering who Jesus really is. The heart of this session is simple and true: the same Jesus who was asleep in the boat, tired like any real person, is the one who tells the wind and the water to stop, because he is God's Son. He has power over the storm, and he is right there in the boat with his friends. That is why the children can talk to Jesus when they are afraid. The session starts with a warm-up about storms the children already know. Then they hear a short psalm about sailors in a storm, so they can see that calming the sea is something God does. Then they hear the Gospel story and picture it. The conversation moves from what happens in the story to one thing they can actually do: say a short prayer to Jesus when they feel scared. Keep it lively and full of pictures. Let the children make the storm noises and act out waking Jesus up. Keep your questions short and let them answer in a few words. Do not turn the story into a lesson about their faith being weak, and do not push anyone to talk about scary things at home. End on the calm water, with Jesus in the boat.
Opening Prayer
Pray this aloud, or ask someone in the group to lead it.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, we are all here together, and we are so glad you are with us. Help us listen well to your story about the storm. Help us picture the big waves and the wind and how you made everything calm. Open our ears and our hearts so we can learn how much you love us and how strong you are. We ask this in your name. Amen.
Warm-Up
Start here to get everyone talking. Keep it light, and let each person answer briefly before you move on to the reading.
Have you ever been in a big storm with lots of thunder, lightning, or wind? What was it like?
If your group is quiet: "I remember a night when the thunder was so loud it shook the windows. What have you seen in a storm?" Then wait.Can you make the sound of a big storm right now? What noises would we hear?
Receiving answers: Let them make wind, thunder, and rain sounds all together for a few seconds, then bring them back with a raised hand.
We just made a big, loud storm together. Now we are going to hear a true story where Jesus and his friends are stuck in a little boat when a huge storm crashes over them. But first, let's hear a short song from the Bible about sailors caught in a storm at sea.
Readings
Read each passage aloud, or invite someone to read. Give the group a quiet moment afterwards before the first question.
- Psalm 107:23-30
- Mark 4:35-41
Reading Questions
These check what the passage says. Take an answer or two, gently fill in anything missed, and keep moving.
In the psalm we just heard, the sailors were scared in a storm. Who made the storm calm and brought them safely to land?
Example answer: God did. The sailors cried out to the Lord, and he made the waves still and brought them safely to the harbor they wanted.Now in the Gospel story, what is happening to the little boat when the big storm hits?
Example answer: The wind is blowing hard and the waves are crashing into the boat, and the boat is filling up with water.Where is Jesus while all this is happening, and what is he doing?
Example answer: Jesus is in the back of the boat, asleep on a cushion.When the disciples wake Jesus up, what does he say to the wind and the sea?
Example answer: He tells them to be quiet and be still. Right away the wind stops and everything is calm.If your group is quiet: Let a child stand up and say "Quiet! Be still!" like Jesus did, then have everyone go completely silent to feel the calm.After the storm stops, the disciples are amazed and ask each other a question. What do they wonder about Jesus?
Example answer: They wonder who Jesus really is, because even the wind and the sea obey him.Background: In the psalm, it is God who makes the sea calm. So when Jesus makes the sea calm, it shows the disciples that Jesus is God's Son. The Church teaches that Jesus is both truly God and truly a real man, which is why he could be tired and asleep and still command the storm (see CCC 464-469).
Application Questions
These are the heart of the discussion. You don't need to ask every question: choose the ones that fit your group and give them room. A pause is fine; let people think.
What stood out to you most in this story?
Receiving answers: Whatever a child names, thank them for it and ask them to say a little more.Jesus was asleep in the boat, but he was still right there with his friends. When you feel scared, how does it feel to remember that Jesus is close to you too?
What to listen for: A good answer might be about feeling less alone or safer, or about Jesus being nearby even when they cannot see him.When something scares you, you can say a short prayer to Jesus, like "Jesus, help me" or "Jesus, you are with me." What is one time this week you could say a little prayer like that?
If your group is quiet: "Maybe at bedtime when the room is dark, or before a test at school. When could you say, 'Jesus, you are with me'?" Then wait.Receiving answers: Keep it light and everyday. You are pointing them to turning to Jesus, not asking them to share anything scary or private.
Going Deeper
Optional. Use this if the group wants to go further, or offer it as a take-home.
The disciples asked, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?" The Church answers that question: Jesus is truly God's Son, and all through his life he showed his power by works like calming the storm, healing the sick, and rising from death.
Sometime this week, read Mark 4:35-41 again with a grown-up in your family, and together pick one short prayer, like "Jesus, you are with me," that you can say the next time you feel scared.
Sources: CCC 447
Prayer Intentions
Read the invitation, then pause so anyone who wishes can offer an intention aloud. After each one, the group answers together.
Is there anything you would like us to pray for? You can say it out loud, or just hold it quietly in your heart.
For any child who feels scared at night or alone, that they would remember Jesus is right there with them and would talk to him.
We pray to the Lord.
Closing Prayer
Pray this together to close. You can invite the group to read it aloud with you.
Jesus, thank you for this story. When we go home and back to our week, help us remember that you are stronger than any storm. When the night is dark, or when we feel scared or alone, remind us that you are right here with us. Help us to talk to you and say, "Jesus, you are with me." We know you hear us and you love us. Amen.
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