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Peace, Be Still!

A roaring storm, a hole in the roof, and a Savior with power over wind, waves, sickness and sin

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 9
  • 📅 Sunday, February 28, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ has power to heal, forgive and calm storms, so I can go to Him with faith when I feel scared, sick or sorry.

I can have faith in Jesus Christ and ask for His help when I feel afraid or when I need to repent.

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

After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus came down and showed His power again and again. He touched a leper and made him clean (Matthew 8:1–4). He healed a Roman centurion’s servant with only a word, from far away, and marveled at the centurion’s faith (Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10). He healed Peter’s mother-in-law, a man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1–5), and raised a widow’s only son at Nain (Luke 7:11–15). The Teacher on the mountain is the Son of God, with power over sickness, death, sin and even nature.

Mark 2:1–12 is a favorite for kids. The house in Capernaum was so packed nobody could get to the door, so four friends carried a man who couldn’t walk up onto the roof, opened a hole, and lowered him down on his bed. When Jesus saw “their faith,” He first forgave the man’s sins, then healed his body so everyone would know He has power to forgive. For newly baptized eight-year-olds, this is a powerful pair: Jesus forgives when we repent, and like the four friends, we can help bring others to Him. When critics complained that He ate with sinners, He said a doctor comes for the sick, not the healthy (Mark 2:17).

Mark 4:35–41 is the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the back of the boat while waves filled it. The frightened disciples woke Him: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” He stood, spoke to the wind and sea, “Peace, be still,” and there was a great calm. He does care. He doesn’t always stop our storms right away, but He can always bring peace inside us, and His power is greater than anything we fear.

Luke 7:36–50 tells of a woman who had sinned, who washed Jesus’s feet with her tears while a Pharisee silently judged her. Jesus forgave her and said, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” The thread through every story this week: people came to Jesus with faith, and He responded with love and power. Keep the focus on His kindness, not on anyone’s sins.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Mark 4:35–41 and Mark 2:1–12. Teach the Storm Machine, run the Story Drama in Teach Mode with chairs for the boat, then play Forehead Guess. No stuffed animal or towel? Tap “I brought nothing” and four friends carry an invisible mat.

What to bring5 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. Tie a string to each corner of the towel. Test it: four people holding the strings should be able to lower the stuffed animal gently.
  2. Drape the sheet over the table so it hangs to the floor on one side. That table is the crowded house in Capernaum.
  3. Before class, line up 4–6 chairs in two rows as the boat. Put the pillow (or just an empty chair) at the back for Jesus’s spot. No child plays Jesus; you read His words.
  4. Open the Noise Meter once at home so you know how it looks for the hook.
  5. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • “Peace, be still” is your magic phrase all lesson. Practice it in the hook. Any time the room gets wild, raise your hand and say it softly. The storm stops.
  • The storm in the drama will get LOUD. That’s fine for 20 seconds. The instant stop is what makes it powerful.
  • Give the Thunder role to your stompiest kid, with one rule: stomp only when you point at them.
  • Through the Roof: the four friends are the only ones who move. The crowd’s job is to be a squished, grumbly wall that won’t let anyone through.
  • If someone gets hurt or scared during the week, remind them of the empty spot in the boat. Jesus was right there the whole time.

The 25-minute plan25 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 Storm Machine

2 min

Kids build a rainstorm with their hands, then learn the magic words that stop it cold.

  1. SAY“Let’s make a storm with just our hands.” Build it up together: rub palms (wind), snap or tap fingers (raindrops), pat legs (heavy rain), stomp (thunder).
  2. At its loudest, raise one hand and say softly: “Peace, be still.” Everyone freezes silent.
  3. Open the Noise Meter and try it twice more. Can the storm go from giant to zero in one second?
  4. SAY“Someone once said those exact words to a REAL storm, and it obeyed. Let’s get in the boat.”
🌪️ Whoever freezes fastest gets to raise the hand and say the words next time.
🐭 Noise Meter (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ⛈️ Make a storm… then STOP it! · 🤲 Wind · 👏 Rain · 🦶 Thunder · ✋ Peace, be still

2. Story

Story Drama: The Storm on the Sea

6 min

Being inside the storm makes the sudden calm, and Jesus’s power, unforgettable.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone without a role is a Little Ship.
  2. Disciples sit in the chair boat. Leave the back seat empty for Jesus. You read His words.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. Tap the scene sounds to build the storm.
  4. At “Peace, be still,” raise your hand. Hold the silence for three full seconds before you read on.
🌪️ Only the chair boat rocks. Everyone else storms from their seats. The louder the storm, the better the silence.

Class screen: ⛵ All aboard! Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

3. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Mark 4:39

3 min

Calm motions help them memorize the words and the feeling of peace.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it once slowly.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it three ways: a stormy loud voice, a normal voice, then a calm-sea whisper.
  4. Ask: “Jesus can calm storms on the sea. What storms inside us can He calm?” (Being scared, sad, angry or worried.)

Class screen: 🕊️ Peace, be still.

4. Wiggle break

Miracle Moves

2 min

Every healing miracle this week becomes a quick before-and-after move.

  1. Teach the moves. LEPER = scratch your arms, then jump up: “I’m clean!” WITHERED HAND = curl your hand tight, then stretch it wide. COULDN’T WALK = sit frozen, then pop up and march. FEVER = fan your face, then jump up and help serve.
  2. Add WIDOW’S SON: lie very still, then sit up and wave: “Hi, Mom!”
  3. Call them out in random order, faster and faster.
  4. Finish with “Peace, be still!” and everyone freezes.

Class screen: ✨ Miracle Moves! Jesus heals! · 🩹 Leper · ✋ Withered hand · 🚶 Couldn’t walk · 🤒 Fever · 👋 Widow’s son

5. Object lesson

Through the Roof

4 min

Four friends lower a “sick man” through a roof, showing how faith brings people to Jesus, who forgives and heals.

  1. Pick four friends. Everyone else crowds in front of the draped table and becomes a squished wall: “No room! No room!”
  2. The four friends carry the stuffed animal on its towel bed. They can’t get through the crowd, so they “climb the stairs” to the roof (behind the table) and “dig” through by lifting the sheet.
  3. Together they lower the bed by the strings to the spot in front of you. Read Mark 2:5: “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Then read: “Arise, and take up thy bed.” A friend lifts the stuffed animal up high. Crowd: “We never saw it on this fashion!”
  4. SAY“Jesus forgave the man first, then healed his body. When we repent, He forgives us too. And like these four friends, we can help bring people to Jesus.”
🌪️ Only the four friends move. The crowd stays in place, packed together and grumbly.

Class screen: 🏠 No room? Go through the ROOF! · 4 friends · 1 hole · Jesus heals and forgives

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A stuffed animal or doll (the man who couldn’t walk), A hand towel or small blanket (his bed) with a 3-foot piece of string or yarn tied to each corner, A sheet or tablecloth to drape over the classroom table (the roof)

Invisible Mat Rescue

  1. Pick one kid to be the man who couldn’t walk. He lies still on the floor. Four friends kneel around him and each grab a corner of an invisible mat.
  2. Everyone else stands in a squished wall in front of you: “No room! No room!” The friends march in place to climb the stairs, then scoop and toss to dig through the roof (tap the crash sound on the Sound Board).
  3. The friends slowly lower their invisible corners to the floor. Read Mark 2:5: “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Then read: “Arise, and take up thy bed.”
  4. The man jumps up, rolls up the invisible mat, and walks around the room. Crowd: “We never saw it on this fashion!”
  5. SAY“Jesus forgave the man first, then healed his body. When we repent, He forgives us too. And like these four friends, we can help bring people to Jesus.”

Class screen: 🏠 No room? Go through the ROOF! · 4 friends · 1 invisible mat · Jesus heals and forgives

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Miracle Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game reviews the storm, the roof and the healings.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues without saying the word. The hint under each word helps if they get stuck.
  3. Guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn lasts 45 seconds.
  4. Switch to Act It Out mode for your wiggliest kids: clue-givers can only act, no talking. The Miracle Moves are perfect clues.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay in their seats. Anyone who shouts the word loses their next clue turn.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

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

7. Game

The Centurion Says

3 minBONUS

A “Simon Says” twist shows the centurion’s faith that Jesus’s word alone has power (Matthew 8:5–13).

  1. SAY“A Roman captain called a centurion had soldiers who obeyed every word. His servant was very sick. He told Jesus He didn’t even need to come to the house: ‘Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.’”
  2. Play Centurion Says: kids obey only commands that start with “The centurion says…” (“The centurion says march! The centurion says salute! Sit down!” Oops!).
  3. Let two or three kids take turns being the centurion.
  4. SAY“Jesus marveled at his faith. He said the word, and the servant was healed that very hour. Jesus’s words have power, even from far away.”

Class screen: 🪖 The Centurion says… · Only obey “The centurion says”!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two boats. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

9. Talk it over

Storms in My Life

2 min

Connect Jesus’s power to the real fears and mistakes of an eight-year-old.

  1. Sit close and use a calm voice. Ask one question at a time, and share your own answer too.
  2. Keep answers short. It’s fine if a kid just passes.
💬 Ask the class
  • What kinds of “storms” make kids feel scared? (Nightmares, thunder, a new school, someone sick.)
  • What can you do when you feel afraid? (Pray, think of Jesus, sing, ask for help.)
  • The four friends helped bring their friend to Jesus. How could you help a friend come closer to Jesus?

Class screen: 💬 When do you need Jesus’s peace?

10. Testimony

Testimony & Peace Button

2 min

End calm and reverent, with a tool for scary moments at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about a time you felt scared or sorry and Jesus brought you peace or forgiveness.
  2. Show them the Peace Button: press your thumb gently to your palm, whisper “Peace, be still,” and say a quick prayer in your heart.
  3. Introduce the challenge on the screen.
  4. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🕊️ This week: use your Peace Button! · Press your palm · Whisper “Peace, be still” · Pray

Story drama

The Storm on the Sea

Mark 4:35–41 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • PeterA fisherman who rows hard and wakes Jesus with the big question.
  • James and JohnFishermen brothers who row, bail water and hold on tight.
  • AndrewBails water out of the boat with cupped hands as fast as he can.
  • The WindRubs hands together and whooshes louder and louder.
  • The WavesRolls arms and rocks side to side like crashing water.
  • The ThunderStomps once, loud, only when the teacher points.
  • The Little ShipsEveryone else: row alongside in the other boats and make the storm sounds.

Scenes

  1. 🌅⛵ “Let us pass over”

    It was evening after a long day of teaching by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” They climbed into a fishing boat, and other little ships came too.

    🎬 The disciples sit in the chair boat and start rowing. The Little Ships row alongside.

  2. 😴🛏️ Jesus falls asleep

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

    🎬 Point to the empty spot at the back of the boat. Everyone whispers, “Shhh!” and rows very quietly.

  3. 🌬️🌊 The wind starts to blow

    Suddenly, wind came rushing across the water. The boat began to rock. The waves started to grow.

    🎬 The Wind whooshes. The Waves start to roll. The disciples lean left… right… left!

  4. ⛈️🌊 A GREAT storm!

    It became a great storm. Waves crashed over the side, and the boat started filling with water! Thunder boomed.

    🎬 Waves crash, Wind roars, Thunder stomps once. Andrew, James and John bail water as fast as they can!

  5. 😱🙏 “Master, carest thou not?”

    The disciples were terrified. They woke Jesus up and cried, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” They meant: “Don’t You care that we’re sinking?”

    🎬 Peter says it loud: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Everyone: “Help!”

  6. ✋🌊 “Peace, be still.”

    Jesus got up. He spoke to the wind, and He said to the sea, “Peace, be still.”

    🎬 Read Jesus’s words calmly and raise one hand. The instant it goes up, the WHOLE storm stops. Freeze. Total silence.

  7. 😌🌅 There was a great calm

    The wind stopped. The water went smooth as glass. The Bible says there was a great calm.

    🎬 Everyone breathes in slowly… and out. The Waves make tiny ripples with their fingers.

  8. 💛❓ “Why are ye so fearful?”

    Jesus asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” He had been with them the whole time. He cared all along.

    🎬 The disciples look at each other and put their hands on their hearts.

  9. 😮✨ Even the wind obeys Him!

    The disciples whispered to each other, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

    🎬 Everyone whispers the line together, then: “Whoa!”

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 became calm.
🙌 “Peace” = raise one hand, palm out · “be still” = slowly lower it and freeze · “And the wind ceased” = rub hands, then stop · “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, that 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 how much faith the friends had, and He told the man, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:50 ↗
“Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
In kid words: Your faith in Me has saved you. Go and feel peace.
Matthew 8:3 ↗
“I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
In kid words: Jesus said, “I want to. Be clean!” And right away the man was healed.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • ⛈️ Storm
  • ⛵ Boat
  • 🛏️ Pillow
  • 🌬️ Wind
  • 🌊 Waves
  • 🕊️ Peace
  • 🎣 Fisherman
  • 🏠 Roof
  • 👬 Four Friends
  • 🛌 Bed
  • 🩹 Leper
  • 🪖 Centurion
  • 💂 Soldier
  • 🤒 Fever
  • 👵 Widow
  • 💪 Faith
  • 💛 Forgive
  • 🩺 Doctor
Clues for each word
  • Storm: Wind, rain, thunder and huge waves
  • Boat: The disciples rowed it across the sea
  • Pillow: Jesus slept on one in the back of the boat
  • Wind: It whooshed until Jesus told it to stop
  • Waves: Water crashing up and down
  • Peace: Calm and quiet inside. “___, be still!”
  • Fisherman: Peter’s job before he followed Jesus
  • Roof: The friends dug a hole in it
  • Four Friends: They carried a man who couldn’t walk to Jesus
  • Bed: Jesus said, “Take up thy ___, and walk”
  • Leper: A man with a skin sickness who became clean
  • Centurion: A Roman captain with great faith
  • Soldier: Marches and obeys the captain’s orders
  • Fever: Super hot and sick. Peter’s mother-in-law had one
  • Widow: A mom whose husband died. Jesus raised her son
  • Faith: Trusting Jesus even when you can’t see how
  • Forgive: What Jesus does when we’re truly sorry
  • Doctor: Jesus said He came like one, for the sick
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. What was Jesus doing when the storm started?
    • A. Fishing
    • B. Rowing
    • C. Sleeping on a pillow
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Sleeping on a pillow Mark 4:38. He was asleep in the back of the boat.

  2. What did Jesus say to the wind and the sea?
    • A. “Peace, be still.”
    • B. “Go away!”
    • C. “Try again tomorrow.”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39. And there was a great calm!

  3. What did the disciples ask after the storm stopped?
    • A. “Can we go home now?”
    • B. “What manner of man is this?”
    • C. “Who wants lunch?”
    Show answer

    ✅ B. “What manner of man is this?” Even the wind and the sea obey Him, because He is the Son of God.

  4. How did the four friends get the man to Jesus?
    • A. Through the back door
    • B. They waited a week
    • C. Through a hole in the roof
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Through a hole in the roof Mark 2:4. The house was too crowded, so they went up and over!

  5. What did Jesus do FIRST for the man who couldn’t walk?
    • A. Forgave his sins
    • B. Gave him new shoes
    • C. Sent him home
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Forgave his sins Mark 2:5. Then He healed his body too.

  6. The centurion said Jesus could heal his servant by…
    • A. Sending a letter
    • B. Just saying the word
    • C. Bringing medicine
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Just saying the word Matthew 8:8. Jesus marveled at such great faith.

  7. Jesus said He came like a doctor for whom?
    • A. Only healthy people
    • B. Only kings
    • C. People who are sick and need help
    Show answer

    ✅ C. People who are sick and need help Mark 2:17. Jesus came to help and heal everyone who needs Him.

  8. What did Jesus tell the woman who washed His feet?
    • A. “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
    • B. “You missed a spot.”
    • C. “Come back later.”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Luke 7:50. Jesus forgave her with love.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Master, the Tempest Is Raging Hymns, no. 105

    The whole hymn is about this storm. Sing just the chorus and let the room go calm at the end. Find it ↗

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

    Today was full of stories of Jesus’s power and love. Find it ↗

  • Faith Children’s Songbook, p. 96

    The four friends and the centurion showed faith, and Jesus noticed. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Peace Button

When you feel scared, angry or sorry this week, press your Peace Button: press your thumb into your palm, whisper “Peace, be still,” and say a prayer in your heart. Tell your family about a time it helped.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we sailed through the storm on the sea and heard Jesus say, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). We also lowered a friend through a roof to Jesus, who forgave and healed him (Mark 2:1–12). Ask your child to show you their “Peace Button,” and talk about a time Jesus helped you feel peace.

📝 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?

🩹 Doctor’s Bag · 3 min

  1. Hold up a bandage. Ask: “Who needs a doctor, healthy people or sick people?”
  2. Read Mark 2:17. Say: “Jesus came for everyone who needs help, and that’s all of us. He can heal hurts inside and out, and forgive us when we repent.”
  3. Give each kid a bandage to write or draw one way Jesus helps them.

🖍️ Draw a Miracle · 5 min

  1. Assign each kid (or pair) a miracle: the leper, the centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, the withered hand, the widow’s son, the storm.
  2. They draw it quickly, then retell it to the class in three sentences.
  3. After each one, ask: “What does this teach us about Jesus?”

👵 The Widow’s Son · 3 min

  1. Read Luke 7:11–15. A widow in Nain lost her only son. Jesus saw her and said, “Weep not.”
  2. Everyone lies still, then sits up when you read “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.”
  3. Ask: “How did Jesus feel when He saw someone sad? How does He feel when you are sad?”

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.

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