Jesus Walks on Water Lesson for Kids

This free Jesus walks on water lesson for kids teaches that when we are afraid, we keep looking to Jesus and trust Him. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, began to sink when he saw the wind, cried "Lord, save me," and Jesus caught him immediately (Matthew 14:29–31). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

• Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 3 pages: a walk-to-me game on a tape line, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid") with motions, and a Peter-on-the-water drawing.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the Eyes on Me game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Stepping on the Waves memory verse game, and a Walk, Wind, Sink action game.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: a look-and-balance opening game, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (the fourth watch, "It is a spirit," Peter's walk, "Lord, save me," and Job 9:8), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
• Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Matthew 14:22–33 out loud themselves, with Mark 6:48 and Job 9:8, then discuss fear, faith, prayer and who Jesus is. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Matthew 14:27 and Hebrews 12:2).

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: Matthew 14:22–33
• Main point: When we are afraid, we keep looking to Jesus and trust Him. He is always there to save us.
• Memory verse: Matthew 14:27 (KJV), with Hebrews 12:2 added for preteens
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short game about keeping your eyes on one thing, or the "winds" that make us afraid.
2. Bible story: Jesus prays on the mountain, the ship is tossed by a contrary wind, Jesus comes walking on the sea in the fourth watch of the night, Peter walks on the water, begins to sink and cries "Lord, save me," Jesus catches him, the wind ceases and the disciples worship. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
3. Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
4. Memory verse: a game or motions to help kids learn Matthew 14:27.
5. What this means for us: looking to Jesus when we are afraid, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the Jesus walks on water word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the Jesus walks on water craft, an action game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching Jesus walking on water

• Read Matthew 14:30–31 straight from your Bible. Peter's prayer is only three words, "Lord, save me," and Jesus caught him "immediately."
• The lessons keep the Bible's own details: the wind was contrary, it was the fourth watch of the night (the last part of the night), and the disciples thought they saw "a spirit." Matthew doesn't say how many disciples were in the ship, so the lessons don't give a number.
• Some kids are afraid of storms or the dark. Each lesson has a short, gentle note for that.
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.