Peace in the Storm

Teaching Outline — “Peace in the Storm”

Main Texts: Galatians 5:22–23; Mark 4:35–41 Main Idea: Jesus gives peace in the storms of life, and the Holy Spirit grows that peace in our hearts. Key Verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22) Goal: Help children understand that peace is both a gift from Jesus and a fruit that the Holy Spirit grows as we trust Him.

Expanded Teaching Script with Motions and Sounds

1. Introduction – “The Fruit of Peace”

Hold up a fruit.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

That’s right, it’s fruit!

But did you know that God wants to grow special fruit in your heart?

It’s not apples or oranges—it’s things like love, joy, and peace!

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Ask:

What does peace feel like?

(Let a few kids answer: calm, safe, quiet.)

Good answers! Peace means being calm and trusting God even when everything around you is crazy.

But how can we have peace when life feels stormy? Let’s look at a story where Jesus showed His friends exactly that.

2. The Story: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)

Mark 4:35–41 NKJV

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Let’s pretend we’re the disciples in the boat.

Motions and Sounds:

Each section doing something different [have a 5th grader help with each section of kids] When I say “Peace, be still!” you need to stop what you are doing okay?

“Let’s row the boat—row, row!” (Kids row in place)

“Now the wind starts to blow—whooshhh!” (Kids make wind noises)

“The waves are crashing—splash, crash!” (Kids slap their legs for wave sounds)

“The boat’s rocking—lean left, lean right!” (Kids sway)

“The disciples are yelling—‘We’re gonna sink!’” (Kids yell)

“But where’s Jesus? He’s asleep! The disciples wake Him up shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?’”

Now quiet everyone down:

Jesus stands up and says, ‘Peace, be still!’ And right away, the wind stops. The waves calm down. Everything becomes perfectly still.

Pause for silence.

Ask:

Who can stop a storm with just His words?

(Kids: “Jesus!”)

That’s right! Jesus has power over everything—even the things that scare us.

3. Connection: Peace that Grows

Hold the fruit again.

When you know Jesus, His Spirit lives in you—and the Spirit grows peace inside your heart. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit!

Ask:

Does fruit grow overnight? (Kids: “No!”)

Right! It takes time, sunshine, and care. The same is true with peace—it grows as we walk with Jesus every day.

Give examples:

“When your friend says something mean, peace helps you stay calm.”

“When you’re nervous about a test, peace helps you pray instead of worry.”

“When your brother or sister gets on your nerves, peace helps you forgive.”

Say:

The Spirit helps us be calm inside even when things outside aren’t calm at all.

4. Gospel Connection

It is so important to understand, before we believed or confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior our hearts were like this:

[Hold a clear jar of water and shake it up (stormy heart).]

Our hearts can feel like this—stormy, upset, afraid. But when Jesus came, He made peace between us and God by dying on the cross. When we trust in Him, He calms the storm inside our hearts.”

Set the jar down and let the water settle.

See this is what Jesus does for us when we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He says to our heart, ‘peace, be still.’

Accountable:

Genesis 1:1 NKJV

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Bad News:

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death

Meaning our hearts and lives are stormy, there is no peace to be found our had.

Good News:

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Colossians 1:21–22 NKJV

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

How will we respond:

Romans 10:9–10 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

5. Application and Closing

Ask:

What kind of storms do you face? Maybe being scared of the dark, losing a pet, or fighting with a friend. Jesus cares about every one of those things.

But we must be a part of God’s family to experience the peace of God.

Say:

“When you feel like you are going through a storm, stop and pray:

‘Jesus, help me trust You.’ Then take a deep breath and remember—Jesus brings peace.

Closing Prayer

“Dear Jesus, thank You that You bring peace to our hearts even when life feels stormy. Please grow the fruit of peace in each of us. Help us trust You and show Your peace to others. Amen.”