This is a REACTIVE DRAWING script for a Hands-on Story, meaning that the students each have a paper and are drawing the scene themselves based on the teacher's instructions. I find it's good to have one drawing ready to go for EACH phase of the story (meaning you'll be drawing the same thing several times over to get all of the pages you'll need!). Alternatively, another artist-ish person could be drawing so that the kids can watch and mimic what they see (most will want to). There are also a few of our discussion questions inserted. One note: While Explorations through story are useful for a wide variety of age ranges, this particular story-telling methodology works best with kids that are approximately 7 or 8 years old and up - children younger than that may need extra help or extra time with their focus just on the drawing side of things. Enjoy!
Walking on the Water
As soon as the meal of bread and fish for the 5,000 was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he told the people that it was time to go. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
Draw a boat to one side (left?) with the disciples in it, with waves all around.
Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
Draw Jesus walking on the water on the other side (right?) of the paper.
Why do you think that they thought Jesus was a ghost?
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter had an idea. He said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus said, “Come ahead.”
Draw Peter walking toward Jesus on the water.
Ask: what would you have done if you saw Jesus walking on the water?
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves moving like crazy beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed Peter’s hand. Then Jesus said, “You of little faith! Why did you doubt?”
Draw storm clouds and big waves around the boat, Jesus, and Peter.
Ask: When Peter got in the water, he was looking at Jesus! What made him start to sink? Who do we need to look at when we have times of trouble?
Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”