NT 17 Jesus Walks on Water

Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

Story Summary:
   Jesus sent the disciples to sail across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus stayed behind, went up a mountainside, and prayed into the evening. The disciples' boat was pounded by waves because the wind was blowing against it.
   Early in the morning, Jesus walked upon the lake towards the disciples. The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost. Jesus said, "Be brave! It is I," but Peter, one of the disciples wasn't so sure. "If it is you," he said, "tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus told Peter to come. Peter stepped out onto the waves and walked on water toward Jesus. But seeing the waves, Peter became afraid and started to sink.
   Jesus grabbed Peter and helped him into the boat. Right then, the wind died down. Back in the boat, the twelve disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, "You really are the Son of God!"

Big Idea and Motions: Repent and put your faith in Jesus to be saved.
Repent - pretend to turn a steering wheel 180°
Faith - pretend to grab a rope in front of you with two hands
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Saved - make the baseball “Safe!” sign

Verse / Motions: Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (ESV)
Grace - place one hand on your heart and reach out to help with the other
Saved - make the baseball “safe” sign
Faith - pretend to grab a rope in front of you like it’s a rescue line
This is not - wag your index finger “no”
Gift - pretend to hold a present and give it to someone else
God - point up
*This is the ASL sign for faith/trust. Follow this link to watch a video: http://goo.gl/4cHz3

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
As the story began, what did Jesus tell the disciples to do? // Sail their boat across the Sea of Galilee
What did Jesus do on the mountain? // He prayed alone.
What problem did the disciples have on their boat trip? // A windstorm kept pushing them back
How did Jesus get to the disciples’ boat? // He walked on the water
What did the disciples think Jesus was? // A ghost
What did Peter want Jesus to do to prove he wasn’t a ghost? // Call Peter to walk on the waves
What happened when Peter first stepped on the water? // He walked on it
What happened when Peter looked at the wind and waves? // He began to sink
What are the two other words that are like faith? // Believe and trust
What is today’s big idea? // Repent and put your faith in Jesus to be saved
What is today’s Bible verse? // Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (ESV)

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