Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41  New International Version (NIV)

Step 1 - Ask one of the children’s workers to read the passage out loud.

Step 2 - Ask another of the children’s workers to read the same passage out loud.

Step 3 - Ask a third children’s worker to read the same passage out loud again.

- Ask all the children’s workers present to close their eyes. 
- Read the same passage for the fourth time.
- Let them listen with their eyes closed and ask them what they can smell when they hear the story.
  Some people will smell the boat or the water. Others will smell the crowd or the smell of fish. Maybe the smell of fear during the storm.
- Let everyone share what they can smell when they listen to the story.

- Ask all the children’s workers present to close their eyes.
- Read the same passage for the fifth time.
- Let them listen with their eyes closed and ask them what they can hear when they listen to the story.
  Some people hear the crowds, or the storm. Maybe the silence after the storm, the panic in the voices of the disciples, the calm voice of Jesus, etc.
- Let everyone share what they can hear when they listen to the story.

- Ask all the children’s workers present to close their eyes. 
- Read the same passage for the sixth time.
- Let them listen with their eyes closed and ask them what they can see when they listen to the story. 
  Some people will see several boats or the water, the crowd on the shore, the pillow that Jesus rests on, the waves during the storm, the sun breaking through after the storm, etc.
- Let everyone share what they can see when they listen to the story.

- Ask all the children’s workers present to close their eyes for the last time. 
- Read the same passage again
- Let them listen with their eyes closed and ask them what they can feel when they hear the story.
  Some people will feel the tiredness of Jesus, the calm water around the boat, the manic movements during the storm, etc.   
- Let everyone share what they can feel when they listen to the story.

Why have we read the same Bible passage out loud seven times? Why have we concentrated on smelling, hearing, seeing and feeling this story? The reason is quite simple. This Bible story has now become something that you have experienced first hand. You will find that when it comes to telling this story you will be able to talk about the different smells, sounds, feelings and describe in detail what you have ‘seen’.  This will make the story come alive.

When we prepare for the telling of a new story we go through this exact same process. It may take some time, but the benefits are huge. It will really help you to tell the story in a new and fresh way.

In our next exercise we will show you how you can help other children's workers to find the right teaching points in a Bible story.