Leader Guide

Boat Craft

Have the children look up and read Mark 4:35-41

³⁵As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” ³⁶So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). ³⁷But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. ³⁸Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” ³⁹When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

What was the need here? A storm suddenly came up and the disciples were afraid they would drown.

Could the disciples take care of the need on their own? No.

Where did the disciples go to meet the need? Jesus.

What did Jesus do? He rebuked the storm and calmed the sea.

What is our SuperTruth today? “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”

Yes, the disciples turned to Jesus for their desperate need—just like we can turn to Jesus for all of our needs!

Pass out the Disciples’ Boat Patterns and pencils. Give children these step-by-step instructions:

1. Place the pattern face-down on the table. Fold both of the long edges back toward the center of the blank side, along the dotted lines marked with the number 1.

2. Fold in all four corners, along the dotted lines marked with the number 2.

3. Fold in all four corners again, along the dotted lines marked with the number 3.

4. Fold in both sides, along the dotted lines marked with the number 4.

5. Carefully start to open the two inside flaps that run along the entire length of the bottom of the boat, gently pulling those flaps slightly outward and upward, while pushing with your fingers on the opposite side, so the entire craft flips inside out.

6. Use the pencil to carefully write your name on your boat.

You did a good job on your boats! Take them home and place them on a nightstand or dresser in your room to remind you that you can turn to Jesus for all of your needs! You can also use the boat to hold marbles, coins, or other special treasures! Or, you can actually float your boat in the water one time—but don’t put anything valuable in it because it will get wet!