Walking on water
Children's sermon
Object:
a cane
He [Jesus] said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the
water, and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29)
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you remember learning to walk? (let them answer) Probably not, because we forget those early months of our lives when we first crawled and then walked. How many of you have seen a baby learn to walk? It was a lot of fun, wasn't it? (let them answer) One person helps the baby stand and another person is a few feet away. The person waiting for the baby to arrive has his or her hands out and is calling the baby's name. The baby shifts from side to side and usually falls down the first couple of times, but the baby loves it and keeps trying. One day, the baby makes it into the waiting arms of someone who really loves the baby.
People sometimes hurt a leg or break a foot and they need help, also. They may use a cane or crutches to get where they are going. (show them the cane) It isn't easy at first. Those crutches can really hurt your hands and arms until you get the hang of it.
Today we are talking about walking in our Bible lesson. It is the story about Jesus walking toward a boat the disciples are riding in. It wasn't a very smooth ride. The wind was really blowing and the waves were coming over the top of the boat and getting the disciples wet. Jesus was actually walking on the water. The disciples thought they saw someone but they were so afraid that they thought they were seeing a ghost. What a scary day. The day was just breaking, the wind was blowing hard, the waves were coming in the boat, and they thought they were seeing a ghost. How would you have liked being in the boat? (let them answer) Jesus saw they were afraid so he said to them, "Relax, take it easy, it's me, so don't be afraid."
Peter was amazed. He wasn't afraid any longer, but he could not believe his eyes. Jesus was walking on the water. Peter had never seen anyone walk on water. Peter wanted to walk on water, also. (I think if Jesus jumped out of an airplane Peter would have jumped out with him.) Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat and walk toward him. Peter was out of the boat in a flash and he began to walk but then a wave came up and splashed in his face. Peter became afraid and started to sink. The walking was over, now he was afraid he was going to drown. However, Jesus saved him and returned him to the boat. When Jesus got in the boat, the wind died down, the waves became smooth, and they arrived at the other side. The disciples were amazed and all that they could think was that they were in the presence of God. Just being with Jesus is like a miracle. He has power and can do things the rest of us cannot do. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you remember learning to walk? (let them answer) Probably not, because we forget those early months of our lives when we first crawled and then walked. How many of you have seen a baby learn to walk? It was a lot of fun, wasn't it? (let them answer) One person helps the baby stand and another person is a few feet away. The person waiting for the baby to arrive has his or her hands out and is calling the baby's name. The baby shifts from side to side and usually falls down the first couple of times, but the baby loves it and keeps trying. One day, the baby makes it into the waiting arms of someone who really loves the baby.
People sometimes hurt a leg or break a foot and they need help, also. They may use a cane or crutches to get where they are going. (show them the cane) It isn't easy at first. Those crutches can really hurt your hands and arms until you get the hang of it.
Today we are talking about walking in our Bible lesson. It is the story about Jesus walking toward a boat the disciples are riding in. It wasn't a very smooth ride. The wind was really blowing and the waves were coming over the top of the boat and getting the disciples wet. Jesus was actually walking on the water. The disciples thought they saw someone but they were so afraid that they thought they were seeing a ghost. What a scary day. The day was just breaking, the wind was blowing hard, the waves were coming in the boat, and they thought they were seeing a ghost. How would you have liked being in the boat? (let them answer) Jesus saw they were afraid so he said to them, "Relax, take it easy, it's me, so don't be afraid."
Peter was amazed. He wasn't afraid any longer, but he could not believe his eyes. Jesus was walking on the water. Peter had never seen anyone walk on water. Peter wanted to walk on water, also. (I think if Jesus jumped out of an airplane Peter would have jumped out with him.) Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat and walk toward him. Peter was out of the boat in a flash and he began to walk but then a wave came up and splashed in his face. Peter became afraid and started to sink. The walking was over, now he was afraid he was going to drown. However, Jesus saved him and returned him to the boat. When Jesus got in the boat, the wind died down, the waves became smooth, and they arrived at the other side. The disciples were amazed and all that they could think was that they were in the presence of God. Just being with Jesus is like a miracle. He has power and can do things the rest of us cannot do. Amen.
