Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Good Morning. How is everybody today? Have any of you ever been afraid? What scared you? (a storm, a snake, a dog, etc). Where were you? (in my room, outside, at Grandma's, etc.)

You know in our Bible story today, Jesus' disciples were afraid. They were out on a boat, and they were afraid--it was windy and they might have been afraid of a storm. But they were also afraid because they saw something they didn't understand--they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water and you know what they thought? They thought he was a ghost. that would be scary wouldn't it. Jesus asked Peter to do something very hard and that made Peter afraid too. But you know what Jesus did--he reached out his hand and caught him. That made everything okay again. Sometimes when we're afraid, we want someone to hold our hand or give us a hug-and that makes us feel better.  Has any one ever done that for you? (let the kids answer).  Just like God gives us Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and friends who can hold our hands or hug us, we need to remember too that no matter where we are or what we're afraid of, Jesus is with us. We can trust that he will take care of us and help us.

Let's say a prayer about that.  (have the kids repeat after you).  Dear God, We thank you for being with us.  Help us to remember that you are with us when we are afraid.  Amen