bible passage: matthew 14:22–36; john 6:16–21 (walking on

God Is Near

ScheduleAnticipate

5–10 minutes

Celebrate & RespondLarge Group

35–55 minutes

Respond & BlessSmall Group

20–25 minutes

Bible Passage: Matthew 14:22–36; John 6:16–21 (Walking on Water)

Environment: SERVINGIn this lesson we see the environment of SERVING through Jesus’ testing the apostles’ faith in order to prepare them for the life of sacrifice to which they’d been called for the sake of the gospel.

REMEMBER VERSEDo nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility

value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3–4

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© 2014 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

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© 2014 David C Cook

Erika AbdelatifTru Team

InspireTwo years ago, I felt God calling me to ask the question, “What needs to be done?” For me, the answer to that question was to serve through a full-time internship at a church. At first, I wasn’t a fan of this idea. Why in the world would I want to abandon a steady paycheck? Despite my reservations, and not knowing how things would pan out, I obeyed the call to serve and decided to take this step of faith.

Over a two-year period, I cannot count the number of times I sat in front of my computer screen, staring at my nearly empty bank account, wondering if He would come through. Yet He never failed me. God supported me in the most unexpected and mysterious ways. He used others to serve me through their generosity.

It was a constant challenge to submit to what He had called me to do. I had to release a significant amount of pride in order to learn to be served by others. Through this, I’ve become more aware and sympathetic to the needs of others, causing me to serve them through my own generosity because I know firsthand that God will take care of me.

I know God is near because I have seen Him respond to my prayers, time and time again, serving me through the gifts of others. When I look back on those years, I know it would have been utterly impossible for me to have survived without God.

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EquipWhen it came time to say good night to the crowds, Jesus sent the disciples out in a boat ahead of Him. As the disciples set sail and the crowds dispersed, Jesus withdrew to the mountainside to pray.

Scripture tells us that it wasn’t until the fourth watch of the night that Jesus met the men out on the water. For sailors, the night is split into four sections, or “watches.” The fourth watch is the one during the darkest hours of the night. We know that the men had been fighting against the wind and the waves for quite some time. And judging from when Jesus sent them out and when He came to them, they had been on the sea for eight to twelve hours! Clearly, these men were exhausted and afraid.

When they saw Jesus walking out to meet them, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” In ancient Jewish culture, people believed they would see ghosts as their own death approached. But Peter did not think this. Instead, Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” Jesus said (Matthew 14:28–29).

Peter walked out on the water to meet Jesus and then took his eyes off of Jesus because he was afraid. As Peter began to sink, he shouted, “Save me!” (v. 30). Jesus reached out and saved him. Truly, Peter was safe the entire time. But because he thought he was in danger, he forgot what was true—Jesus was near.

Jesus knew this experience would be one of many Peter would have in his arsenal of faith. Through this situation, Jesus served Peter by letting him know He would always be near—even in a time of seemingly great danger.

Environmentof SERVINGThis posture of the heart asks the question, “What needs to be done?” It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ-followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away!

The 10 Environments guide us in creating a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of SERVING in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony.

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SupportPeter’s faith likely increased a hundredfold after his experience with Jesus. Jesus knew Peter would be a leader in the early church. Jesus knew to serve Peter meant increasing his faith.

As we know, Peter failed a few more times after this. But we also know he taught many new believers the truth of the gospel, healed the sick, and died a martyr’s death for the cause of Christ. In one moment, Jesus served His disciple Peter by increasing his faith.

The environment of SERVING asks the question, “What needs to be done?” There are many answers to this question and many ways God could call you to serve others or have others serve you through Him. Take a walk around your neighborhood, your church grounds, or your home, and ask the question, “What needs to be done?” The answer to this question might be to pray for the kids in your ministry. It might be to clean up the leaves in your neighbor’s yard.

As you ask God how to serve, ask Him how He might want to serve you. Then keep your eyes on Him.

ADAM & EVE

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OUR FUTURE WITH JESUS

YOU & ME

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JOHN THE BAPTIST

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Lesson Overview

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (For Quarterly Master Supply List, see Resource Files)

Anticipate//Small Group Check-In

5–10 min.

Encourages interaction among kids, leaders, and parents; engages the kids in curiosity and anticipation of the lesson; and creates an inviting atmosphere.

Option 1: Floating Boats• tarp or plastic tablecloth• shallow plastic container filled with water• objects that float or resemble a boat (small plastic

storage containers, lids, etc.) • straws (1 per child)• optional: Boat Coloring page (see Resource

Files) and crayons or markers; Origami Boat Instructions and Perfect Square (see Resource Files), scissors (1 pair)

Option 2: Crossing the Water• large blue tarp, sheet, or parachute• optional: bouncy balls or bean bags

Celebrate//Large Group

20–35 min.

Establishes community andtells stories both personaland biblical in a fun andengaging way.

Traditions• mementos for your church Traditions

(rocks, marbles, gum balls, etc.)• Remember Verse cards, slide, and animation

(see Resource Files)

Connect Question• Connect Question slide (see Resource Files)

Connect Activity: Finding My Raft• inflatable inner tubes, floats, or rafts (3)• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Files)

The Big God Story • Bibles (1 per child)• Timeline slide and animation (see Resource Files)• image: Boat (see Resource Files) • shower caps (4)• spray or squirt bottle filled with water• wooden spoons (4)• large blue sheet or blanket

*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

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Lesson Overview

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Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (For Quarterly Master Supply List, see Resource Files)

Respond//Large Group

15–20min.

Creates space for childrento respond to the Holy Spiritin worship and communityas a large group.

• worship music (suggestion: “Thank You,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours)

• Worship Response Stations: Prayer Wall, Prayer Journals

Respond//Small Group

15–20min.

Discusses truth, reflectson the lesson, engages inrelationships, and createsa project or a piece of artindividually or together.

Reflect: God Is Near• Bibles (1 per child)

Create: Letters of Encouragement• Bible• construction paper or card stock (8½” x 11”;

1 sheet per child)• markers and pens• misc. decorating supplies (stickers, glitter, glue, etc.)

Bless//Small Group

5 min. Sends the kids out with a sense of peace and blessing so they can be a blessing to their families and others.

• Bible• HomeFront Weekly (1 per child; see Resource Files)• HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource

(1 per family; see Resource Files or www.HomeFrontMag.com)

*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

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www.HomeFrontMag.com

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

Anticipate// 5–10 min.

An energizing time for parents and kids to start engaging with the material that will be presented in the lesson.

It is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder about God.

Encourage parents to participate in this time with their kids.

Small Group Leaders

SMALL GROUPS E C T I O N

With these ANTICIPATE activities, get the children thinking about today’s portion of The Big God Story, which describes Jesus inviting Peter to walk on water.

Option 1: Floating Boats (for Younger Kids)SUPPLIES• tarp or plastic tablecloth• shallow plastic container filled with water• objects that float or resemble a boat (small plastic storage containers, lids, etc.) • straws (1 per child)• optional: Boat Coloring page (see Resource Files) and crayons or markers; Origami

Boat Instructions and Perfect Square (see Resource Files), scissors (1 pair)

SET UPSpread the tarp or plastic tablecloth on a table and place the container of water on top of it. Set out the floatable objects and straws. Optional: Print the Boat Coloring page and/or the Origami Boat Instructions and Perfect Square.

ENGAGEAs the children arrive, invite them to play with things that float. Point out the container of water, and encourage kids to put the floatable objects on the water. Have them blow through the straws to create wind to move the objects across the water.

Optional for Younger Kids: Let the children color the Boat Coloring page.

Optional for Older Kids: Let the kids follow the Origami Boat Instructions to create a boat out of the Perfect Square page. They can float their origami boats on the water.

Option 2: Crossing the Water (for Older Kids)SUPPLIES• large blue tarp, sheet, or parachute• optional: bouncy balls or bean bags

SET UPSpread out the tarp, sheet, or parachute over a large area of the floor.

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N O T E S : ENGAGEAfter the miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples away in a boat. They soon encountered a storm. Jesus walked out onto the water toward their boat! Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus, but the wind and huge waves made him afraid, and he began to sink. Jesus saved Peter and calmed the storm.

Invite the children to stand around the edges of the tarp, sheet, or parachute and grab it. Have them hold the tarp close to the ground and shake it to make large, wave-like ripples—their own “storm” on a body of water. Then ask a volunteer to walk across the tarp while everyone continues to shake it. Optional: Toss in bouncy balls or bean bags to make the storm more chaotic.

Repeat until everyone has had a chance to walk across the “water.”


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Celebrate//20–35 min. Host/Storyteller

LARGE GROUPS E C T I O N


Welcome and Traditions

ConnectQuestionWould you rather use a raft to float on a river, a pool, or the ocean?

Activity: Finding My RaftSUPPLIES• inflatable inner tubes, floats, or rafts (3)• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Files)

SET UPInflate the inner tubes, floats, or rafts, and place them around the room.

ENGAGEEncourage the children to walk around the room and ask one another the Connect Question. Give them about 30 seconds. Then, when you’re ready, assign river, pool, or ocean to each raft, and tell the kids to run to the rafts matching their answers. Once everyone reaches the raft, they must sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

Kids get to be a part of the faith community of God’s family.

They participate in traditions and share them with newcomers, connect through fun and interaction, and experience The Big God Story through storytelling.

REMEMBER VERSEThis week’s Remember Verse comes from the environment of SERVING, which asks, “What needs to be done?” The environment changes every four weeks.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3–4

Passin’ PartyA Group TraditionHave the children “pass” an invisible “ball” from person to person across the room, adding their own personal style to the way they pass the ball. Each time the ball is passed, try to make sure someone new gets a chance to “catch” it. Play upbeat music, and encourage the children to get creative and have fun!

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The Big God Story

Ponder Point: God Is NearBible Passage: Matthew 14:22–36; John 6:16–21Storytelling Technique: Children Acting Out the Narrative

SUPPLIES• Bibles (1 per child)• Timeline slide and animation (see Resource Files)• image: Boat (see Resource Files) • shower caps (4)• spray or squirt bottle filled with water• wooden spoons (4)• large blue sheet or blanket

SET UPAsk five children to help act out today’s portion of The Big God Story. Three kids will be disciples, one will be Peter, and one will be Jesus. Let them know you’ll prompt them as you storytell.

ENGAGE(Briefly tell about a time you experienced a harsh storm and how you felt in the midst of it.) Last week we heard how Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with only two fish and five loaves of bread. After this amazing miracle, Jesus went away to pray by Himself while the disciples got into a boat and headed out onto the water. Soon, they found themselves caught in a terrible storm.

(Invite children to open their Bibles to Matthew 14 and follow along.) The terrified disciples sailed in the storm for several hours. (Invite the three disciples and Peter to the stage. Have them put on the shower caps, and take the spray or squirt bottle and start misting the air above the four actors.) They must have been exhausted! This boat didn’t have a motor. (Show Boat Image.) The disciples had to row the boat the whole way! (Hand each disciple a wooden spoon and encourage them to line up, facing the side of the stage, and use their wooden spoons as if they’re rowing. Continue squirting water into

Leader TipBefore sharing this part of The Big God Story, tell your kids they’re about to hear a true story that’s recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to Matthew 14, and invite kids to follow along in their own Bibles as you storytell.

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N O T E S : the air above the disciples.) They rowed and rowed for hours and hours, late into the night. (Encourage disciples to slow down their rowing and slump over as if exhausted.)

Suddenly the disciples saw something that really scared them. (Invite child playing Jesus to walk toward the disciples.) They saw a man walking toward them in the middle of the storm—on the water! “‘It’s a ghost!’ they said, and cried out in fear” (v. 26). (Encourage disciples to cry out in fear.) But then they heard a familiar voice say, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (v. 27). (Encourage Jesus to say those words.) When they looked closer, they realized it was Jesus!

(Invite kids to continue following along in Matthew 14:28–30. Have Peter and Jesus come to the center of the stage, and invite Peter to repeat his words after you.) Peter yelled out to Jesus, “‘Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). Wow! Peter was a gutsy guy! When Jesus told him to come, he climbed out of the boat. He took one step (pause), and then another (instruct Peter to step slowly toward Jesus) … and he was walking on water, in a storm, with Jesus!

But Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and remembered the storm. (Squirt some more water above Peter.) He became afraid, and—does anyone know what happened next? (Allow kids to respond.) Peter’s doubt caused him to sink. (Hand one end of the blue sheet to one of the disciples while you hold the other end. Have Peter stand behind the sheet. Start with the sheet bunched up near Peter’s feet and slowly raise it up to look like water rising as Peter sinks.) As Peter sank down in the water, he shouted, “Lord, save me!” (v. 30).

The Bible tells us that right away Jesus reached out and grabbed Peter by the hand, saving him from drowning. (Have Jesus grab Peter’s hand, and lower the blue sheet to look like Peter is rising in the water.) Even during Peter’s most frightening moment, Jesus was near. He was just one arm’s length away. Jesus looked at Peter and said, “‘You of little faith … why did you doubt?’” (v. 31). Jesus was near and wanted Peter to trust Him.

(Squirt one last, long, slow spray across the front of the stage, and then set the squirt bottle aside as you speak.) Then, when Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat together, the storm stopped immediately. Everyone who was watching worshipped Jesus, saying, “‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (v. 33). (Invite the disciples to repeat this phrase after you. Then thank the actors for their performances and have them sit down in the audience.)

The disciples may not have fully believed Jesus was the Messiah before this experience. But, after they had seen Jesus’ power, they believed. In a way, Jesus was serving His disciples. He knew exactly what needed to be done. He gave them


The Big God Story

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N O T E S : a challenge that would strengthen their faith. Jesus knew their faith needed to grow so they would be strong enough to continue teaching and healing people when He was gone.

Sometimes, when we experience hard times, we expect God to take all of our problems away. But God never promised to give us a problem-free life. He promises to be near to us in the middle of it all. When we have challenges and learn to trust God in the middle of our struggles, we grow in faith. (Share a personal story about a time God showed Himself to you or changed you through a difficult time.)

It’s okay to pray for God to take our troubles away, and sometimes He does. But we should also pray for God to remind us that He is near. Sometimes the way God serves us is by increasing our faith. We can always trust God to know what is best for us. We can also trust Him to comfort us because He is near.


The Big God Story

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This time allows kids to worship through silence, prayer, singing, giving, sharing, thanksgiving, and other ways.

Make plans for your worship time, but prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a different direction.

Respond// 15–20 min. Host/Worship Leader

LARGE GROUPS E C T I O N

SUPPLIES• worship music (suggestion: “Thank You,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours;

Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users see Resource Files; others see iTunes or www.amazon.com)

• Worship Response Stations: Prayer Wall, Prayer Journals

SET UPSet up and position the Worship Response Stations. (Cue music.)

ENGAGEWhen Peter was walking on the water with Jesus, he got distracted by the storm and took his eyes off of Jesus. Because of this, he sank. But when he yelled, “Lord, save me!” Jesus rescued him. Jesus was near—only an arm’s length away.

We all go through struggles and challenges. Sometimes the problems in our lives make us feel like we’re drowning and we need somebody to save us. But we can have faith that even though life is difficult, Jesus is right there with us.

As you quietly play music, have the kids spread out and find a comfortable spot to sit or lie on their backs and close their eyes. Tell them to think about a situation in their lives that is hard for them. Then ask them to imagine Jesus standing with them, right next to them. Encourage them to reach out their hands to Jesus in worship. Explain that sometimes physically reaching out in worship can increase the heart’s willingness to praise God.

After about five minutes, invite the kids to visit the Prayer Wall or write in the Prayer Journals. Encourage them to ask God to be near. Ask leaders to be ready and available to pray for and with the kids who need to know God is near to them.

Leader TipFor information about how to build Worship Response Stations, see the How It Works document found among the Resource Files.

www.amazon.com

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Reflect: God Is NearWhen Jesus sent His disciples out on the boat, He knew there would be a storm. He knew it would increase their faith and reinforce that He is the Son of God. (Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.)

Questions for Younger Kids• How do you think the disciples felt in the middle of the storm?

(Matthew 14:24; John 6:16–18)• How would you have felt if you had been Peter, stepping out onto the water?

(Matthew 14:28–29)• Why did Peter start to sink? (Matthew 14:30)• Why can hard times be a good thing sometimes? (Job 23:10)• Does anyone want to share a story about experiencing God being near?

Questions for Older Kids• Why did Jesus send His disciples out on the water, knowing there would be a

storm? (Matthew 14:23–24)• If you had been in Peter’s shoes, would you have walked on water to Jesus?

(Matthew 14:29)• How does God help us in hard times? (2 Corinthians 1:3–5)• How did Jesus serve Peter though this situation? (Matthew 14:31)• How does God strengthen us in times of fear or uncertainty? (Isaiah 41:10)• Does anyone want to share a story about experiencing God being near?

Create: Letters of EncouragementSUPPLIES• Bible• construction paper or card stock (8½” x 11”; 1 sheet per child)• markers and pens• misc. decorating supplies (stickers, glitter, glue, etc.)

SET UPFor younger kids, fold the construction paper or card stock into cards.

ENGAGEEarlier, we talked about how Jesus and Peter walked on water. Even though Jesus was there with him, Peter still became distracted by the storm. When he took his eyes off Jesus, he was in danger—sinking into the stormy sea. But of course, Jesus was so close to Peter that He only needed to reach out His hand and save


A time to engage in relationship, reflect on the lesson with spiritual conversation, and/or create a meaningful project or piece of art.

Respond// 15–20 min. Small Group Leaders


Resource Tip“Picnic Games” activities are available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may find this resource along with the Resource Files.

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him. Peter’s struggle is similar to the struggles we have in our lives. Even though our struggles might be scary (parents divorcing, people who are sick, moving to a new town), we know God is near. We can have faith that He is always with us.

Give older kids a sheet of construction paper; give younger kids a card. Have older kids look up one of these passages and read it to themselves. After a few minutes read them, one at a time, out loud: Psalm 57:1–2; Psalm 136:1; Psalm 139:1–6; Psalm 34:17–18. Then discuss:

What do these verses tell us about God? How do we know God is near? How can these verses increase our faith? How do you need God to be near you?

Ask all the kids to take a minute to think of a response. Have older kids write letters for themselves; have younger kids draw on their cards. In the letters and on the cards, they should write or draw about what they learned today and some words of encouragement about how God is near to them. Help them think of truths about God, such as, “God loves me” or “God is with me.” Afterward, they can decorate the letters and cards.

When the kids are finished, suggest they take their letters and cards home and place them somewhere special. Remind them that when they’re having a bad day, they can pull out their letters or cards and remember that God is near.

If there is extra time, have the kids think of other people who might need a letter or card of encouragement. Give them the option to serve others by writing them letters or cards of encouragement as well.

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Bless// 5 min. Small Group Leaders


A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement or guidance.

Blessings can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life to bless others or prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

As you bless your kids, tell them they have the opportunity to also be a blessing to others. Encourage them to freely share the joy and love they have received from God.

Encourage the kids to hold their hands in front of them, palms up. Open a Bible and read Hebrews 12:2 and Psalm 123:1:

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

Invite the children to close their eyes and picture Jesus Christ, seated on His throne, looking at them with love.

May you know that God is near in the hard times. May He give you patience, peace, and joy, and may your faith grow as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource: This magazine gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print it for families or encourage them to visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.

bible passage: matthew 14:22–36; john 6:16–21 (walking on

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