The simplest way to define peace is to ask a child or watch a child’s reaction to the world around him.
Kids define peace based on what they see, hear, and experience in their daily surroundings.
To a child, peace is evident when everyone is getting along, and there is no arguing or fighting.
God’s peace goes beyond what is evident on the outside; He gives us peace within.
Real peace from God isn’t based on what’s going on around us. It comes in trusting that God is in control of everything, and He will take care of us.
Use this Kids’ Ministry game on peace, based on the story of how Jesus calmed the storm, to teach kids that real peace can only come from God.
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KID’S MINISTRY GAME – JESUS CALMS THE STORM (PEACE)
Bible: Matthew 8:23-27
Bottom Line: Real peace can only come from God.
- A device to play music on
- Recording of the “Baby Shark” song
- Recording of the Jaws movie theme song
OPENING GAME: BABY SHARK ATTACK
For this game, you will need a way to play music that enables you to switch quickly between two songs.
We recommend queueing up the songs, “Baby Shark” and the “Jaws” movie theme song on YouTube or downloading them onto a device that you can maneuver between the songs without any breaks.
Choose one person to be the “shark” and the rest will be “minnows.”
Have the minnows line up against a wall and the shark stand in the middle of the room.
You will need another wall or a line on the floor (past where the shark is standing) that is the goal for the minnows to reach.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
Say: We’re about to play a game that will use one of the most popular songs in the world right now: “Baby Shark.”
It’s been played on YouTube over TWO BILLION times since 2018. That’s insane!
For our game, those of you who are standing by the wall will be “minnows.” You’re tiny, itty bitty fish.
Minnows can live to be about twenty years old, so some of you are middle-aged minnows!
We also have a “shark” for our game.
Point to the person playing the part of the shark.
When I say “GO,” we will begin playing the theme to the movie Jaws.
Play a small clip of the song.
Raise your hand if you have heard that song before.
While that song is playing, the minnows will begin moving very slowly towards the wall (or the line you have put on the floor).
As you’re moving slowly, try to stay away from the shark because he can’t move.
BUT…as soon as you hear the song “Baby Shark,” you will move quickly towards the other wall, trying to get away from the “shark” who can now come after you.
If you make it without getting tagged, you’re still in the game.
If you don’t make it, you become “seaweed.”
You will sit anywhere you’d like. When the “Baby Shark” song begins to play, you will remain seated, and try to tag the minnows.
The game will continue until there is only one person left in the game.
Say: I’m pretty sure that “Baby Shark” will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day!
Today, we played a game all about sharks because we’re talking about something remarkable that happened one day when Jesus was in a boat with some of His disciples.
I don’t know if there were any sharks in that lake, but there was definitely trouble on the water.
Read Matthew 8:23-27.
Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples.
Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed.
“Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey Him!”
Ask: Imagine that you are in a boat, out in the middle of a lake.
Suddenly, storm clouds roll in out of nowhere, rain starts pouring down, and the waves are so high that they’re sweeping over the top of your boat.
You start to get scared.
That’s what was happening in the story we just read.
During this fierce storm, what was Jesus doing?
He was sleeping!
Ask: Do you enjoy sleeping when it’s raining outside?
Allow a few responses from kids.
It can be very peaceful when you hear the rain hitting the roof of your house.
But what about when it starts storming with thunder and lightning?
It can be more difficult to sleep during a thunderstorm.
But Jesus didn’t have any trouble sleeping!
In fact, the disciples woke Jesus up by yelling at Him.
Can you believe they were yelling at Jesus?
The disciples knew that Jesus was the Son of God.
God knows everything. Don’t you think Jesus knew that there was a terrible storm?
Of course, He did!
So, Jesus got up and said, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Then, Jesus stood up and told the wind and waves to stop.
Jesus brought peace in the middle of the storm.
In your life, you will face storms, and I’m not just talking about the weather.
Tough times with your family, friends who hurt your feelings, being worried about things that could happen… These are all “storms” that can come up in your life.
But no matter what you’re going through, God can give you peace.
Sometimes we try to give ourselves peace by saying things like Everything is going to be okay or You’ve got this.
But those words are based on feelings that we have when we’re trying to make ourselves feel better with a pep talk.
God’s peace is real. It’s not just a pep talk that makes you feel good for a little while.
God’s peace is permanent. It never changes—even when everything around you changes.
God’s peace is a gift; you don’t have to earn it. It’s absolutely free.
The next time you’re upset or feel like you’re going through a storm, turn to God.
He is the only one who can give you real peace.
If you like this lesson, then be sure to check out our Kid’s Ministry Curriculum for PreK – 6th Grade. It’s easy to use & ready to go, requiring little to no prep time. Our curriculum is also family focused, Bible based, interactive, and fun!