Presented on November 13, 2022 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Sacramento CA

Luke 8:22-25 Jesus Calms the Storm

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

This moment requires a life jacket, which can be found at thrift stores. I “decorated” it with GALILEAN LIFE GUARD on one side and I AM A CHILD OF GOD on the other.

The adults are going to hear a Bible passage about Jesus and his friends who are out on the water. Jesus is relaxing and taking a nice nap. (Close your eyes and begin snoring.) Suddenly, a giant storm came up and the wind was blowing and the waves were crashing and all of Jesus’ friends were afraid and shouted, “Lawdy, lawdy, we are going to drown for sure!” They woke up Jesus from his nap and he told the wind and storm to “settle down.” And it did. And then he admonished the friends – “admonished” means he told them, but more so – “where is your faith?” And they were all amazed.

Here is something that might help you understand the story. (Pull out the life jacket.) Do you know what this is? (Wait for responses.) THIS is Jesus! If you were on the water and you were drowning, this would save you. Now it is still important to learn to swim and be careful around water, but this life jacket – can you read what it says? (GALILEAN LIFE GUARD) That means you can call on Jesus when you are in trouble and he will always be there for you.

And I know this is true, because I know you are (show other side of life jacket) A CHILD OF GOD.