SUNDAY SCHOOL @ HOME – 10th Sunday after Pentecost/August 9, 2020

Bible Passage (for parents)
Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)

Jesus had just finished feeding more than 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish.  After he sent his disciples across the sea of Galilee in their boat, he took time to pray.  When the boat was far from shore, strong winds caused the waves to pound against it.  Watch the video and see what happens.

Watch this video together:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVy9HGr3Qig

 

Read:

Jesus’ disciples became afraid because of the strong winds causing the waves to pound against the boat.  They were even more afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water!  Peter said to Jesus, “If it is really you, Jesus, ask me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus said, “Come to me.”  Peter trusted Jesus and walked on the water to him.  But then he became afraid and started to sink.  Jesus reached out his hand and helped him.

Discuss

  • How did Jesus’ disciples react when they saw him walking on the water?
  • What did Jesus say to them to help with their fear?
  • What did Jesus say to Peter?

 

Song

Every Move I Make.  CJ and Friends.  Why not sing and dance along?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPvnZILn6EY

Activity

Create an edible picture of Jesus and Peter walking on the water using things you have at home.  I used a saltine cracker, some blue frosting, and 2 smile fruit snacks (see the picture below).  You could use a graham cracker, teddy grahams, etc.  Be creative with what you have.

 

Activity

Do a Trust Fall with another person.  Have one person stand two feet behind the other.  The person in front has to trust, or have faith in, the person behind.  The person in front has to stand stiffly and fall backwards into the arms of the person behind them.  Note:  Make sure the person is caught so no one is hurt!  How much did you have to trust that the person would catch you?  What makes it hard to trust?

 

Discuss

There are several times in this story when people are afraid.  Jesus’ disciples are afraid because of the strong winds and the waves pounding into the boat.  They are afraid because Jesus was walking to them on the water and at first they don’t know it is Jesus.  Peter walks on the water and he becomes afraid.  It shouldn’t be surprising to us because they are many things in the world that can make us afraid.  But in this story there is also trust in Jesus.  Peter trusts in Jesus.  Not only does Peter trust Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on the water, but when he starts to sink, Peter trusts Jesus enough to ask Jesus for help and Jesus reaches out his hand and helps Peter.  When we are afraid, we can remember to ask Jesus for help and know that Jesus reaches out his hand to help us, often by sending family or friends who supply us with Jesus’ love and whatever it is we need.

 

Discuss:

  • What are some things you are afraid of?
  • Who do you turn to when you are afraid?
  • Who can you trust when you need help?
  • How can you share God’s love with those who need help?

 

Closing Prayer

Pray:  God, thank you for the many good things you give each and every day.  Thank you for always being with us.  Thank you for helping us when we need it.  Give us your love so that we can help others in your name when they need it.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday while we are unable to gather together physically in our congregational buildings.  Contact him at [email protected].