Captain of the Storm - Lesson 3

​January Week 3, 2023 Learning Together
     Hello once more! Here is the last of our three January’s lessons about “The Captain of the Storm” story, which can be found on pages 236-243 in The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
     Children: When we last left Jesus’ helpers, they were soaking wet and shaking with fear. They all believed that their boats were sinking, that they were going to die in the terrible storm, and they were all pleading for Jesus to save their lives.
     Jesus is awoken, and, realizing the situation, says, “Peace! Be still” without any fear or worry in His words. The storm obeyed, and all was quiet again. The helpers’ fear of dying was replaced with total amazement and awe. They found it almost impossible to believe that Jesus had calmed the storm with two words, but they had witnessed it with their own eyes and ears. They knew he had worked miracles with people, but they had not realized that Jesus could do THIS!
     Jesus is the Son of God, creator of the universe. There is no place and no thing over which He is not Lord. Whatever our fears, we can count on him to calm the storms in our lives. When we are worried, we can call out to Jesus in prayer and know that he hears us just as he heard the disciples’ cries for help. “Do not be afraid. Believe that I will take care of you!”
~This week’s children’s prayer: Help us to remember that you are Creator of the universe and that nothing is too big or too hard for you. Amen
     Adults: The Biblical reference to this story is Matthew 8 and Mark 4.
     We have the benefit of knowing how the story of Jesus calming the storm ends, but imagine the disciples’ amazement when the raging waves instantly became quiet. Even today, with our advanced technology, we don’t have any control over the weather and can’t always forecast it very accurately. In Jesus’ day, controlling the weather was known strictly as the domain of God. In the instant the storm ceased, the disciples began to realize more fully who Jesus was. He had demonstrated his power in healing people and casting out demons. Now they were amazed and afraid to find He had power over nature, as well. He had never before done anything of this magnitude.
     They turned to each other and asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” The disciples came to learn that no matter how bad a situation seemed, the first thing they needed to do was turn to Jesus. By calming the Sea of Galilee, Jesus demonstrated to His disciples that He was no ordinary man. Jesus was, indeed, God’s Son, and He is truly like no other.
~This week’s adult prayer:
God Loves Me
Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair,
I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer,
I tell Him I am heartsick and lost and lonely too,
That I am deeply burdened and don't know what to do.
But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea,
And I humbly ask if in His love He'll do the same for me.
Then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of peace,
And if I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.
~ Helen Steiner Rice
 
     Sunday School will gather for discussion of this story and a related craft this coming Sunday, January 22 at 11:00 a.m. Remember to bring any of your own artwork or writing or comments or questions if you would like to share. See you soon!
Have a safe week,
Margo Greer