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Jesus Calms the Storm

A chair boat, a sleeping Savior, a wild storm, and four friends who carried a man to Jesus

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • Week 9
  • 📅 Sunday, February 28, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ is stronger than any storm, so when I feel scared I can turn to Him and feel His peace.

I can turn to Jesus when I feel scared, and I can help bring my friends to Him.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7)
Know the chapters

This week Jesus shows His power again and again. He touches a man with leprosy and makes him clean, in Matthew 8:1–4. He heals a Roman soldier’s servant from far away, just by saying the word. That’s Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10. He heals a man’s hand on the Sabbath, in Mark 3:1–5. He brings a widow’s son back to life, in Luke 7:11–15. And in Mark 2:1–12, four friends can’t get through the crowded door. So they climb up, open the roof and lower their friend down to Jesus. Jesus sees their faith and forgives the man’s sins. Then He heals his body.

The story at the center of this lesson is Mark 4:35–41. Jesus falls asleep on a pillow in the back of a fishing boat. A great storm comes up, and the waves fill the boat. The scared disciples wake Him. He speaks to the wind and the sea, “Peace, be still,” and everything goes calm. Then He gently asks why they were afraid. He’d been with them the whole time.

Four- to seven-year-olds have real storms. Thunder at night, a new school, a sick grandma, a big dog, the dark. The point isn’t that Jesus makes every scary thing disappear right away. It’s that He cares, and He’s more powerful than anything we fear. He can give us peace inside when we pray, sing about Him or remember Him.

For the 7-year-olds getting ready for baptism, the four friends are a lovely picture. Jesus forgave the man, and He forgives us when we repent. Friends and families help carry each other to Jesus, like parents who bring a child to be baptized. Keep the focus on Jesus’s kindness and power.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Mark 4:35–41. Hide a pillow in a bag. Set a bowl of water on a towel. Do the Mystery Pillow, then tell the story in Teach Mode. Do Storm and Calm and say Mark 4:39 with motions. Then do Storm in a Bowl and close with your testimony. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing,” and storm hands do the job.

What to bring3 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Mark 4:35–41.
  2. Hide the pillow in the bag. Set the bowl of water on the towel where everyone can see it.
  3. Practice the storm once. Rub your palms and pat your knees. Raise a hand for “Peace, be still!” and freeze.

If your class is wild

  • The storm is supposed to be loud. Let it roar for about ten seconds. Then use “Peace, be still” as your magic stop signal for the whole lesson.
  • Give your loudest kid the Storm Leader job. Now their energy starts the storm for everyone, and they freeze first.
  • Some little ones really are scared of storms. Seat a nervous child by you. Let them raise the hand for “Peace, be still.”
  • Four-year-olds may just say “Pray!” or “Mom!” in Storm in a Bowl. That’s exactly right.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Mystery Pillow

3 min

A mystery in a bag gets everyone curious.

  1. SAY“Something in this bag is soft and squishy. You use it every night. What is it?”
  2. Let a few kids feel the bag and guess. Pull out the pillow. Everyone lays their head on their hands and snores.
  3. SAY“Jesus once fell asleep on a pillow in a boat, in a giant storm!”
  4. Teach the storm. Storm hands rub palms and pat knees. A raised hand means “Peace, be still!” and everyone freezes.
  5. SAY“Let’s practice. Storm hands… Peace, be still! Great freezing.”

Class screen: 🛏️ What’s in the bag? · 🌬️ Storm hands! · ✋ Peace, be still!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A pillow in a pillowcase or grocery bag (the mystery pillow)

Guess My Pillow

  1. SAY“I’m thinking of something you use every night. Watch my hands and guess!”
  2. Fluff a pretend pillow, lay your head on it and snore.
  3. SAY“A pillow! Jesus once fell asleep on a pillow in a boat, in a giant storm!”
  4. Teach the storm. Storm hands rub palms and pat knees. A raised hand means “Peace, be still!” and everyone freezes.
  5. SAY“Let’s practice. Storm hands… Peace, be still! Great freezing.”

Class screen: 😴 What do you use every night? · 🌬️ Storm hands! · ✋ Peace, be still!

2. Story

Story: The Storm on the Sea

7 min

A true story shows that Jesus is stronger than any storm and cares about us when we’re scared.

  1. SAY“This is a true story. Keep your eyes on the pictures. I’ll ask you to find things.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. A big kid can read each caption. When the screen says “Find,” let kids point before you read on.
  3. After scene 4, ask, “Have you ever felt scared like the disciples?” Let a few kids tell about it.
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Who stopped the storm?” Jesus! Then ask, “Was He with the disciples the whole time?” Yes!
🌪️ At scene 5, raise your hand and hold the silence for three full seconds before you read on. The quiet is the magic.

Class screen: ⛵ The Storm on the Sea · 👀 Find it! · ✋ Peace, be still!

3. Wiggle break

Storm and Calm

2 min

A quick storm with the whole body gets the wiggles out, then “Peace, be still” brings everyone back to calm.

  1. SAY“Stand up by your chair. Let’s make a storm with our whole body!”
  2. Wind means sway and blow. Rain means wiggle fingers down. Waves means roll arms. Thunder means stomp softly. Call them fast, then let a 6-year-old call.
  3. SAY“Peace, be still!”
  4. Everyone freezes and sits slowly. Tap Noise Meter. Can we get so calm the meter hardly moves?
🐭 Noise Meter (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🌬️ Wind! Rain! Waves! Thunder! · Then… peace, be still ✋

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Mark 4:39

3 min

Motions help children remember the words Jesus said to the storm.

  1. SAY“Here are the words Jesus said to the storm.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. A big kid reads it slowly.
  3. SAY“Ceased means stopped.”
  4. Teach the motions one part at a time, seated. Say it three ways: a loud, stormy voice, a windy whisper, then a calm, slow voice.
  5. Ask, “Jesus calmed the sea. Can He help calm our scared feelings too?” Yes! He helps when we pray and think about Him.

Class screen: ✋ Peace, be still. · …and there was a great calm. · Mark 4:39

5. Object lesson

Storm in a Bowl

6 min

Kids name scary things, practice what to do when they’re scared, and watch the water go calm.

  1. SAY“Sometimes we feel stormy inside, like when we’re scared.”
  2. Hold up the bowl of water. Name a scary thing: “Thunder at night.” A helper swirls the water with one finger while everyone does storm hands.
  3. Ask, “What can you do when you’re scared?” Pray, sing about Jesus or hug Mom. Then everyone says, “Peace, be still!” Freeze and watch the water calm.
  4. Try it with new helpers: “Getting lost at the store.” “The first day of school.” “A bad dream.”
  5. SAY“Jesus is stronger than any storm. When we turn to Him, He helps us feel peace.”
🌪️ Keep the bowl on the towel. Only the helper touches the water, with one finger and gentle swirls.

Class screen: 🥣 Stormy water… then a great calm · 🌬️ Storm hands! · ✋ Peace, be still!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A clear bowl or large plastic cup, half full of water, A hand towel (for drips)

Storm Hands

  1. SAY“Sometimes we feel stormy inside, like when we’re scared. Let’s make those storms with our hands.”
  2. Name a scary thing: “Thunder at night.” Everyone does storm hands, louder and louder.
  3. Ask, “What can you do when you’re scared?” Pray, sing about Jesus or hug Mom. Raise your hand: “Peace, be still!” Everyone freezes.
  4. Try new scary things and let a big kid raise the hand. “Getting lost at the store.” “A bad dream.”
  5. SAY“Jesus is stronger than any storm. When we turn to Him, He helps us feel peace.”

Class screen: 🌬️ Storm hands… then peace, be still! · ✋ Peace, be still!

6. Testimony

Jesus Brings Peace

3 min

End calm and reverent, with a way to turn to Jesus when they feel scared.

  1. SAY“Let’s make our room as calm as the sea after Jesus spoke.”
  2. Softly hum “I Feel My Savior’s Love” while kids fold their arms. Then share a time you felt scared and Jesus helped you feel peace.
  3. SAY“When I feel scared, I can pray and sing about Jesus. I can remember He’s with me, just like He was in the boat.”
  4. Share the Peace, Be Still challenge. Then invite a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 😌 Jesus can help me feel peace · Pray 🙏 · Sing 🎵 · Remember Him ❤️

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Storm Edition

4 minBONUS

A picture guessing game reviews the lesson, and the pictures let non-readers give clues too.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  3. Little ones can do a motion or a sound for the picture. Pair each little guesser with a big-kid buddy.
  4. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass. After about 30 seconds, your phone or tablet moves to the next kid.
🌪️ Go around the room with one clue each, so nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team picture quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Boat One versus Team Boat Two!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question out loud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  4. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point. Cheer for both teams.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

The Storm on the Sea

Mark 4:35–41 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Storm LeaderStarts the storm hands from their seat each time the wind blows.
  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🌅⛵ Let’s go to the other side!

    Jesus had been teaching by the sea all day. When evening came, He spoke to His disciples. “Let us pass over unto the other side.” They climbed into a boat and began to sail.

    🙌 Find the boat on the screen. Row, row, row!

  2. 😴🛏️ Jesus falls asleep on a pillow

    Jesus was very tired. He lay down in the back of the boat and fell fast asleep on a pillow.

    🙌 Find the pillow. Hands under your cheek. Whisper: “Shhh!”

  3. ⛈️🌊 A great big storm!

    Then the wind began to blow. Whoosh! The waves got bigger and bigger. They splashed right into the boat. And the boat began to fill up with water!

    🙌 Storm hands! Rub your palms, then pat your knees, louder and louder.

  4. 😱🙏 “Master, carest thou not…?”

    The disciples were so scared. They thought they were going to sink! They woke Jesus up and cried, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”

    🙌

  5. ✋🌊 “Peace, be still.”

    Jesus got up. He spoke to the wind. Then He said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind stopped. The waves went flat and smooth like glass. Everything was calm.

    🙌 Raise one hand: “Peace, be still!” Everyone freezes.

  6. ❤️⛵ Jesus was with them all along

    Jesus asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Jesus had been right there, the whole time. He cared about them. And He cares about you too.

    🙌

  7. 🙌🌬️ Even the wind obeys Jesus!

    The disciples looked at each other with big eyes. “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” We know! He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

    🙌

Key verse

Mark 4:39 ↗
“Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
In kid words: Jesus told the storm, “Peace, be still,” and the wind stopped and everything was calm.
🙌 “Peace” = raise one hand, palm out · “be still” = freeze like a statue · “And the wind ceased” = wave your arms, then drop them · “and there was a great calm” = smooth your hand out flat like calm water and take a slow breath.

More verses

Mark 4:41 ↗
“What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In kid words: Who is this? Even the wind and the waves do what He says!
Mark 2:5 ↗
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
In kid words: Jesus saw that the four friends believed in Him, and He told the man, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 8:3 ↗
“I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
In kid words: Jesus said, “I want to help you. Be clean!” And right away the man was healed.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • ⛵ Boat
  • ⛈️ Storm
  • 🌬️ Wind
  • 🌊 Waves
  • 🛏️ Pillow
  • 😴 Sleep
  • ⚡ Thunder
  • 🌧️ Rain
  • 🚣 Row
  • 🐟 Fish
  • 🏠 Roof
  • 👫 Friends
  • 🛌 Bed
  • 🚶 Walk
  • 💂 Soldier
  • 🙏 Pray
Clues for each word
  • Boat: Jesus and the disciples sailed in it
  • Storm: Wind, rain, thunder and big waves
  • Wind: Whoooo! You can’t see it, but you can feel it
  • Waves: Water that goes up and down
  • Pillow: Jesus slept on one in the boat
  • Sleep: Close your eyes and snore
  • Thunder: Boom! A loud sound in a storm
  • Rain: Water falling from the clouds
  • Row: Pull the oars to move a boat
  • Fish: It swims in the sea
  • Roof: The friends made a hole in it
  • Friends: Four of them carried the man to Jesus
  • Bed: The man was lowered down on it
  • Walk: Jesus healed the man so he could do this
  • Soldier: He believed Jesus could heal from far away
  • Pray: Fold your arms and talk to Heavenly Father
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. What was Jesus doing when the storm started?
    • A. Sleeping on a pillow 😴
    • B. Eating lunch 🥪
    • C. Swimming 🏊
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Sleeping on a pillow 😴 He was so tired He fell asleep in the back of the boat.

  2. What filled up the boat in the storm?
    • A. Sand 🏖️
    • B. Water 🌊
    • C. Balloons 🎈
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Water 🌊 Big waves splashed right into the boat!

  3. What did Jesus say to the wind and the sea?
    • A. “Go faster!” 💨
    • B. “Good night!” 🌙
    • C. “Peace, be still.” ✋
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “Peace, be still.” ✋ Mark 4:39. And everything became calm.

  4. What happened after Jesus spoke?
    • A. It got very calm 😌
    • B. It started to snow ❄️
    • C. The boat sank 🫧
    Show answer

    ✅ A. It got very calm 😌 The wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

  5. How did the friends get the man to Jesus?
    • A. Through the window 🪟
    • B. Through the roof 🏠
    • C. Down the chimney 🎅
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Through the roof 🏠 The house was so crowded that they lowered him through the roof!

  6. What did Jesus do for the man on the bed?
    • A. Gave him a snack 🍎
    • B. Sent him home 🚪
    • C. Forgave him and healed him ❤️
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Forgave him and healed him ❤️ Jesus forgave his sins, and then the man got up and walked!

  7. What can you do when you feel scared?
    • A. Hide forever 🙈
    • B. Pray to Heavenly Father 🙏
    • C. Yell at everybody 😠
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Pray to Heavenly Father 🙏 We can pray in Jesus’s name, and He can help us feel peace.

  8. Who is more powerful than any storm?
    • A. Jesus Christ ✨
    • B. A big truck 🚚
    • C. A superhero 🦸
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Jesus Christ ✨ Even the wind and the sea obey Him!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • I Feel My Savior’s Love Children’s Songbook, p. 74

    A calm song for the testimony, after the storm is over. Find it ↗

  • Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 57

    Sing it before the story: today’s story is a favorite. Find it ↗

  • Faith Children’s Songbook, p. 96

    The four friends had faith, and Jesus asked the disciples about theirs. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Peace, Be Still

This week, when you feel scared, raise your hand and quietly say, “Peace, be still.” Then say a prayer. Tell your family about the storm Jesus stopped.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we heard how Jesus calmed a giant storm with the words “Peace, be still.” It’s in Mark 4:35–41. We made a storm with our hands. Then we watched a bowl of stormy water go calm while we named things we can do when we’re scared. We learned that Jesus is stronger than any storm and can help us feel peace. Ask your child, “What did Jesus say to the storm? What can you do when you feel scared?”

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

💂 Just Say the Word · 3 min

  1. Tell how a Roman soldier asked Jesus to heal his servant. He believed Jesus could do it from far away, just by saying the word. It’s in Matthew 8:5–13.
  2. Stand across the room and give quiet commands: “Touch your nose.” “Sit down.” Kids obey without you coming close.
  3. SAY“Jesus didn’t have to be close to heal. His word has power.”

🩺 Doctor Jesus · 3 min

  1. Ask: “Who goes to the doctor, people who are well or people who are sick?”
  2. Show Mark 2:17 on your phone or tablet.
  3. SAY“Jesus said a doctor comes for the sick. Jesus came to help everyone who makes mistakes. And that’s all of us.”
  4. Let kids put a pretend bandage on a stuffed animal or their own hand. Each one names a way Jesus helps us feel better.

🫙 Bottle Storm · 3 min

  1. Fill a clear plastic bottle halfway with water. Add a drop of dish soap or some glitter. Close the lid tight.
  2. Let a child shake it hard. A storm! Set it down, and everyone whispers, “Peace, be still,” while it settles.
  3. SAY“When our feelings are stormy, praying and thinking about Jesus help us settle down.”

🏠 Four Friends and a Roof · 4 min

  1. Lay a stuffed animal on a small blanket. Show Mark 2:1–12 on your phone or tablet.
  2. SAY“This man couldn’t walk. His four friends carried him to Jesus. But the house was too crowded!”
  3. Four kids hold the blanket corners. They slowly lower the stuffed animal to the floor, like the friends lowering the man through the roof.
  4. Read Jesus’s words in a kind voice: “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
  5. SAY“Jesus forgave the man and healed him. And He forgives us when we repent.”

🖍️ Storm-and-Calm Pictures · 4 min

  1. Fold each paper in half. On one side, kids draw the boat in the storm. On the other, they draw the same boat on calm water.
  2. Readers write “Peace, be still” on the calm side. Little ones can draw a big smile on the sun.
  3. SAY“Take it home and tell your family what Jesus said to the storm.”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–6 lessons