Kids Zone

With Jesus in the Storm

This children’s lesson uses the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) to teach children how we can trust Jesus and live with faith even in the the most challenging times.

2025
Written by SSTS

Children, Faith

From the Strengthen magazine issue:

Standing Strong through Persecution

Finding encouragement, faith and hope in the face of suffering and persecution

Jesus helps us stand strong in difficult times, just like He calmed the storm for His disciples, by trusting Him, loving others, and staying peaceful.

Read Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Sometimes life feels like a big storm, and we might feel scared or think Jesus isn’t with us. But Jesus is always with us, even when things are hard. He can calm any storm and wants us to trust Him, love others, and stay peaceful no matter what happens. Just like the disciples learned more about Jesus in the storm, we can learn to trust Him more when things are tough.

What can we learn from this story?

Storms happen even when we follow Jesus: The disciples obeyed Jesus by going to the other side of the lake, but a big storm came anyway (Mark 4:35-37). Sometimes, following Jesus brings challenges, but He has a plan.
Jesus is with us: Even though Jesus was sleeping, He was right there in the boat (Mark 4:38). He’s always with us, even when it feels like He’s quiet.
Trust, don’t fear: Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). He wants us to trust Him instead of being scared, no matter how big the storm is.
Jesus is powerful: The disciples were amazed (even terrified) that even the winds and waves obeyed Jesus! If Jesus can command the weather, then he can certainly help you!
Stay peaceful: Jesus calmed the storm with just His words: “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). He can give us peace and help us stay calm, even when things are tough.
Storms come to an end: The storm stopped when Jesus spoke, and the lake became calm (Mark 4:39). All storms, even hard times, will end with Jesus’ help.

Illustration

Rev. Dr. Veguilla’s Story

In Cuba, a pastor named Rev. Dr. Veguilla faced a big “storm” when he was put in prison for five years just for being a Christian. Even though he and other Christians were treated badly, they learned to trust Jesus. Rev. Veguilla said they learned three things:

not to fear,
not to hate, and
not to harm others.

Instead of being scared or angry, they trusted Jesus, stayed peaceful, and showed love, even to those who were unkind. Their storm was hard, but Jesus helped them through it, and they grew stronger in their faith.

References

Adapted from STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM By Paul Estabrooks and Jim Cunningham

Jesus Knows the Storm From the Inside

Christian faith does not claim that God watches suffering from a distance. In Jesus, God enters betrayal, injustice, pain, and abandonment. This means that those who suffer are not misunderstood by God. Christ has walked the storm from the inside and remains present with all who endure it.

You Are Not Forgotten

When suffering feels overwhelming and God seems distant, Scripture reminds us that He is near to the brokenhearted. Even in the storm, you are seen, known, and not forgotten.

When the Church Goes Underground

When churches are forced out of public view, faith does not disappear. From the earliest Christians to believers today, going underground has been a faithful and wise way to preserve community, protect one another, and continue following Christ when visibility brings danger.