Jesus Calms The Storm

Mark 4-35-41

That evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.”  He and the followers left the people there.  They went in the boat that Jesus was already sitting in.  There were also other boats with them.  A very strong wind came up.  The waves began coming over the sides and into the boat.  It was almost full of water.  Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow.  The followers went to him and woke him.  They said, “Teacher, do you care about us?  We will drown!”

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and the waves to stop.  He said, “Quiet!  Be Still!”  Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm. 

Jesus said to his followers, “Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”

The followers were very afraid and asked each other, “What kind of man is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Discussion Questions

• What did Jesus ask his followers to do?  Come across the lake with Him
• When they were out on the lake, what happened? There was strong wind and water was coming inside the boat
• What was Jesus doing during the storm? Sleeping
• The disciples became very scared and woke Jesus up.  What happened next?  Jesus stood up and commanded the storm to quiet and be still

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for teaching us that Jesus helps us when we are afraid.  We pray that we always pray when we are afraid and trust that Jesus will keep us safe.  Amen.

Bible Verse for February

“Come to me and rest.”   Adapted from Matthew 11:28

Home Connect

Help your child make a comfort box for times when he or she is afraid or worried.  Have your child select four or five different items to put in the box, such as a special blanket, a favorite stuffed animal, a photo of a family member, or a Bible as a reminder that Jesus is with us.  Help your child decorate the box.  Then put it in an easy-to-reach spot in your child’s bedroom.  The next time your child expresses fear or worry, let your child choose one or two items from the box to calm his or her fears.  Encourage your child to talk to you or a friend — and especially Jesus.  Remind your child that Jesus helps us when we’re afraid.

Ask:

• What are some ways Jesus helps us today?
• What can we do to help others?

 My Recipe Center

Make your favorite chili recipe with your child, and set out shredded cheese, chopped onions, and crackers.  Seat your child a safe distance from the pan of chili, but close enough to see inside.  As the chili is heating on the stove, have your child tell you what he or she remembers about the Bible passage.  When the chili begins to bubble, have your child tell you about the storm in the Bible and then tell you one thing he or she fears.  Have your child say Jesus’ words, “Quiet, Be Still!”  Then take the chili off the burner and watch the bubbles stop.  Thank Jesus for calming the storm and for helping us when we’re afraid.  Give Jesus your worries and fears, and ask thank him for food and family.

Ask: 

• Why do you think Jesus helps us when we’re afraid?
• What can we do to help others when they’re afraid?

Daily Challenge

This week, your child learned that Jesus helps us when we’re afraid. Encourage your child to commit to one of the following  challenges.  Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenges.

• Add bubbles to your bath water and then use a toy boat to tell about Jesus calming the storm.  When you’re finished, ask Jesus to help you when you’re afraid, just as he helped the disciples. 
• If you’re learning to do something new like riding a bike or going down a tall slide, ask Jesus to help you and be with you.
• Draw a picture of something very scary.  Then draw Jesus in the picture, too, to show that Jesus is always with you — even during scary times.

Jesus Heals, Prays and Preaches

Mark 1:29-39

Jesus and his followers left the synagogue.  They all went at once with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.  Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever.  The people there told Jesus about her.  So Jesus went to her bed, took her hand, and helped her up.  Immediately the fever left her, and she was healed.  Then she began serving them.

That night, after the sun went down, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick.  They also brought those who had demons in them.  The whole town gathered at the door of the house. Jesus healed many who had different kinds of sickness.  He also forced many demons to leave people.  But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.

Early the next morning, Jesus woke and left the house while it was still dark.  He went to a place to be alone and pray.  Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus.  They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus answered, “We should go somewhere else, to other towns around here.  Then I can preach there too.  That is the reason I came.”  So he traveled everywhere in Galilee.  He preached in the synagogues and forced demons to leave people.

Discussion Questions

• Jesus and his followers went to a home. Who’s was it?  Simon and Andrew’s home
• Why did Jesus go there? Simon’s mother-in-law was sick
• What did Jesus do? He healed her from her fever.
• Can Jesus heal anyone?  Yes he can heal people and force demons to leave people
• True or False.  Jesus and his disciples went to many towns to heal people? True

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for the lesson on healing.  What a blessing it is to have Jesus heal, pray and preach.  Please help us to pray over all things in our lives. Amen.

Bible Verse for February

“Come to me and rest.”  Adapted from Matthew 11:28

Home Connect

Remind your child that we can care for others, just as Jesus cares for us.  Think of a family in your church or in your neighborhood who might need some help.  For example, maybe a single parent in your church could use some free time.  Ask your child what he or she would like to do with the kids — go to the movies, go out to eat, or invite the kids over to play.  Then call up the parent and offer to watch the children for the afternoon, or ask what else the parent might need help with.

Ask:

• What are some ways Jesus helps us today?
• What can we do to help others?

My Recipe Center

Make helping biscuits with your child as a special treat.  You’ll need refrigerated dough for jumbo-sized biscuits, cinnamon-sugar mixture, wax paper, a crayon, and scissors.  Help your child use the crayon to trace his or her handprint onto wax paper; then cut out the shape.  Rollout or flatten each biscuit until it’s a little larger than the handprint.  Place the wax-paper hand on one of the circles of dough, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture around the edges of the paper, like a stencil.  Then carefully lift the paper off the biscuit.  Bake the biscuits according to the package directions.  Have your child serve the biscuits at mealtime and explain to the family that Jesus cares for us.

Ask: 

• What are some ways Jesus cares for your family?
• What can our family do to care for others?

 Daily Challenge

This week, your child learned that Jesus cares for us. Encourage your child to commit to one of the following  challenges.  Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenges.

• Draw a picture of Jesus, and place it near your bed at night.  Remember that Jesus cares for you while you are sleeping.
• Sometimes Jesus uses other people to care for us.  Thank your mom or dad for caring for you.
• In the morning, ask Jesus to care for you during the day.  Ask Jesus to also help you care for others who need help.