CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH 12TH FEBRUARY 2023

BIBLE TEXT: Mark 4:1, 2, 35-41

MEMORY VERSE:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV).

TARGET:

To help the child learn that the way to face difficulty is to call on Jesus and to trust that He, who has the power to do all things, will help him overcome his difficulties.

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he or she understands the lesson by:

1. Identifying the kind of things that make children of his or her age afraid and how these fears can be overcome.

2. Taking part in a memory verse dill.

3. Discussing reasons why Jesus slept through a terrible storm.

OUTLINE:

1. Jesus Teaches the Crowd-Mark 4:1,2

2. A Great Storm Arises-Mark 4:35-38

3 Jesus Stills the Storm- Mark 4:39-41

Have you ever been afraid or have you faced any difficult situation? What was it? How did you feel and what did you do? How was it taken care of? What fears are you still facing at the moment fear of failure at school; fear of death, poverty, darkness, dogs, storms, getting lost; fear of making mistakes and so on. Everybody has some fears at times, and fear is never a pleasant thing. It is never easy to have courage when there are fears. But there is something Christians can do when they have fears and difficulties. The disciples of Jesus did it when they were in a fearful situation. What did you think it is? We shall find out in this week’s lesson.

1. JESUS TEACHES THE CROWD – Mark 4:1, 2

Jesus is at the lake again with His disciples. He is teaching a large crowd that had gathered at the lake. The crowd were so large that Jesus had to go into a fishing boat and sit in it right on the sea. And it was only a few feet of water that now separated Him from the large crowd that stood on the land facing Jesus and the sea.

On this particular day, Jesus taught the people many things. He used the method of storytelling or parables to teach them. He told them many parables that helped them understand the doctrines He wanted them to know.

2. A GREAT STORM ARISES – Mark 4:35-38

In the evening after teaching the large crowd, Jesus told His disciples that all of them should cross over to the other side of the lake. All of them, including Jesus, got into the boat and sailed from west to east across the lake. Other little boats were also around there. Because Jesus was tired after having had a busy day teaching the people, He fell asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. Then a terrible storm arose. The disciples had never experienced a storm such as this even though four of them were trained fishermen.

The waves rose higher and higher and threatened the boat. Water began to fill the boat. There was rainfall and it came in torrents. Lightening flashed and thunder roared. The wind was aggressive. It was really life threatening. The disciples struggled and struggled with the storm but to no avail. Meanwhile, Jesus slept on and on. He was not disturbed or worried by the storm.

Then the disciples went and woke Him up and asked Him reproachfully whether He did not care that they were drowning, It was as if Jesus was not in the same boat with them. They forgot that nothing could harm the boat where the Son of God lay.

3. JESUS STILLS THE STORM – Mark 4:39-41

Jesus stood up and talked directly to the storm and the winds with the voice of authority. ‘Peace be still’ He said sternly. Instantly, the sea became calm. The wind stopped. The rain stopped beating down. The thunder and lightening ceased. The storm stopped altogether and there was great calmness.

Then Jesus turned to His frightened, but amazed disciples. With a voice of authority, He asked them why they were so fearful and how it is that they had no faith. The disciples feared exceedingly that is, they marveled at what had happened. The fear they had now was no longer the fear of death but the fear of God – a godly fear. “What manner or kind of man is this” (who can command the sea to keep calm), they asked one another.

The disciples were now beginning to realise that the Man with them was the Son of God. They were also learning that faith in Him was the only answer to their fears, worries, doubts and difficulties.

You should learn to call God when you are facing difficulty, just like the disciples of Jesus did when they were faced with a terrible storm. Jesus was sleeping in the boat because He was tired and weary. He trusted in His heavenly Father’s care. He desired His disciples to have faith in God and not just to rely on His own faith when faced with a challenge.

We should learn to invite Jesus into our everyday activities such as class work, duties in the home, business, play, etc. He is the Master of everything in our lives, He has power to rescue us even from the darkest or most dangerous place, whether in the pit, river, sky, sea and ocean. He is the Master of all these and He can command them and they will listen and obey. He will give us peace when we remember He is with us and think about how powerful He is to take care of us. He is the Son of God who controls everything. He loves us and wants what is best for us. That’s why we can trust Him. We don’t have to be afraid. He cares tor us. So we should have faith in His care for us and should not worry and fret in times of difficulty and adversity.

We can overcome the difficulties on our way but we can overcome by knowing what the Word of God says and by being obedient to it. We should be strong and as we resist the devil, he will flee from us. We will also overcome our fears and difficulties through praying to God and by trusting Him to answer.

1. What method did Jesus use to teach the crowd in the story?

(A) He used song

(B) The method of trial and error

(C) Question and answer method

(D)The method of storytelling or parables.

2. Why did Jesus fall asleep on a cushion in the boat?

(A) Because He was tired after having a busy day teaching the people

(B) Because He was discouraged

(C) Because He was afraid of His life

(D) Because He didn’t know what to do.

3. What did the disciples experience when Jesus was sleeping that made them really afraid?

(A) A spirit

(B) Heavy disappointment

(C) A blessing

(D) A terrible storm.

4. What did Jesus do when His disciples woke Him up?

(A) He talked directly to the storm and commanded it to be still

(B) He begged the storm to be still

(C)He did not do anything.

(D) He was amazed.

Monday: Man Is Born unto Trouble – Job 5:6, 7

Tuesday: Present Your Case to God – Job 5:8

Wednesday: The Lord Is a Stronghold for the Oppressed – Psalm 9:9

Thursday: Why Are You so Afraid – Mark 4:39-41

Friday: Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – John 14:1, 2

Saturday: Whosoever Troubles You Will Bear the Penalty – Gal 5:10