In the Gospel accounts of Jesus calming the storm, we learn that Jesus' disciples experienced tremendous fear. Their fear was so great, they believed they would perish in the storm. Yet, Jesus experienced the same violent storm, and rather than quake in fear, He slept.
The disciples’ fear emerged from a lack of faith in the One who slept in the boat. While they worried about their circumstances and allowed fear to overtake their hearts, Jesus remained confident in His control over all things–including the raging sea. Not a drop of an ocean wave or a gust of wind escaped His authority. The Word made flesh, who spoke all creation into existence, rules every inch of this world according to His sovereign will.
At the sound of His voice, the wind and the waves were stilled. And the disciples' fear of the storm was redirected to a fear of another kind–one of reverence and awe. The power of the storm was no rival for the power of the Lord, and the disciples’ perspective was shifted to wonder at the holiness, power, and authority of Jesus.
The disciples’ fear toward Jesus was different. This fear was one of awe and reverence—a humbled perspective regarding the holiness, power, and authority of Jesus.
We all resonate with their timidity, for it is commonplace in our daily lives to be shaken by concerns in the face of trying circumstances. This story is about a storm and the different feelings that came out of it. But from that storm, and even the storms within our own lives, we see the character of a Savior. It is about our need to bow our hearts and our lives to the beauty, holiness, power, and authority of Jesus as we trust in His authority—for His glory and also for our good.
We all have things that cause us worry and concern, but do you have a reverent awe toward the God who made you and loves you and has promised to be with you through every circumstance of your life?
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is Lord. He has power over everything.
- Younger Preschool: Jesus’ friends knew He was a good teacher. When Jesus calmed the storm, He showed that He is the Lord. Jesus has power over everything.
- Older Preschool: Jesus’ disciples knew He was a good man and a good teacher. When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He showed His friends that He is the Lord. Jesus has power over everything He made.
- Kids: Jesus’ disciples knew Jesus was a good man and a good teacher. When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He showed His disciples that He is also God. God rules the sea and stills its waves.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit
- Younger Preschool: Is Jesus God or a person? Jesus is both God and a person.
- Older Preschool: Is Jesus God or a human? Jesus is both fully God and fully human.
- Kids: Is Jesus God or a human? As the Son of God, Jesus is both fully God and fully human.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is God’s Son. John 1:18
- Younger Preschool: Jesus shows us what God is like. John 1:18
- Older Preschool: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son … has revealed him. John 1:18
- Kids: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him. John 1:18
** Next week: Jesus Healed and Forgave (Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5)