Jesus Tells The Storm to Stop

Reference

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction

Jesus was tired. All day he had helped people and talked to people. And now he needed a rest. So he and his disciples decided to go over the lake to the other side.

This big lake was called the Sea of Galilee. There are mountains on both sides of the lake. Sometimes the wind rushes down the valley. And the lake becomes very dangerous.

Some of Jesus' disciples had often been in a boat. This was because they were men who caught fish. They knew about the very bad storms that sometimes came in the night. They knew how easily the boat might go under the water. Then they would all drown. Jesus told the storm to stop. That showed that he ruled everything. But it made his disciples ask who Jesus really was.

Perhaps that made Jesus sad. They had heard so much that he had said. And they had seen so many things that he had done. But still they did not understand who he was.

Questions to ask

(35)   Why did Jesus tell his disciples to go to the other side of the lake?

(37)   How do we know that this storm was big?

(38)   How do we know Jesus was tired? What does it tell us about what sort of person he was?

(38)   The disciples said to Jesus 'Teacher, it seems not to matter to you if we die.' Why do you think they said this? Do you think they were right to say this?

(38)   How did the disciples feel at this time?

(39)   What did Jesus do? How long did it take for the storm to stop? What does this tell you about Jesus?

(40)   Why do you think Jesus asked his disciples these questions?

(40)   Why should they not have been afraid?

(41)   What were the disciples afraid of this time?

Something to do

Talk about who you think Jesus really is.

The disciples were in trouble when Jesus was with them. We are going to go through times of trouble and 'storms'. Think about what kind of 'storms' might happen to us. Talk about what we should do during these times.

Perhaps you know somebody who is having a difficult time. You could tell them about how Jesus told the storm to stop. It might help them.