This lesson seeks to help students understand how our faith in Christ can help us through the fears and “storms” of life.
Icebreaker:
Write every letter of the alphabet on a piece of paper torn off of a full sheet. Then, put the pieces in a hat or cup or something else. Have students go around in a circle and draw a letter out of the hat. Whatever letter they draw, they have to share something that they are afraid of that starts with that letter (ex: if I drew “D”, I would say, “the Dark”). Play as many rounds as you like.
Extra Icebreaker: “Facing Down Your Fears”
(Supplies: paper and pencil)
(Only if you have time), have everyone in the group take another piece of paper and write down the thing that they FEAR the most (ex: public-speaking, the dark, people not liking their icebreakers…that’s probably just me!). Have them write down the thing that they fear the most on one side and then something that helps (or might help) them (or others) through that fear on the other side.
Transition: “Everyone has their own things and situations that they fear. Even the disciples had times when they were afraid. Listen to this story. What can we learn about Jesus and his followers from how they responded to this “stormy” situation?”
Scripture Reading: Luke 8:22-25 (Today’s New International Version)
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Follow-Up Questions:
- When can fear be a good thing?
- How can fear be a bad thing?
- What is Jesus saying to us about fear in this story?
- What is Jesus saying to us about faith in this story?
- What are we talking about when we talk about the“storm of life”? Can you name a few common “storms”?
- Does anyone have a story they would like to share about when Jesus was present with them in the midst of a fearful situation?
- What are some “storms” in your life right now? Where do you think Jesus is in the midst of those “storms”? How does our faith help us with our fears?
- Where is one place that we can bring faith into our fears this week? How can we encourage/pray for one another with that this week?
Accountability:
“How are we doing this week with our 3 simple guides?” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-22] — “Doing No Harm, Doing Good, and Staying In Love With God”