Peace, Be Still

Mark 4:35–41

The Big Idea

Jesus’ power over the wind and sea helped the disciples think about trust and faith.

The Bible Story

Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:35–41 tells how Jesus and his disciples crossed the sea by boat. A great windstorm arose, and waves filled the boat. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. The disciples woke him and asked whether he cared that they were perishing. Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus then asked why the disciples were afraid and whether they still had no faith. The disciples became greatly afraid and asked one another who Jesus was, because even the wind and the sea obeyed him. This passage shows Jesus’ authority over creation and the disciples’ growing understanding of him.

Themes

faith Fear changed by witnessing Jesus’ power Jesus’ authority over creation The disciples’ growing understanding of Jesus trust Trust when afraid

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Jesus stands or sits visibly within the boat as he speaks to the wind and sea. The composition contrasts the last curling waves with a broad area of great calm around the boat.

Talk together

Talk about it

What changed when Jesus spoke to the wind and sea?
Why were the disciples amazed after the storm stopped?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Read Mark 4:35–41 aloud, then show the picture and retell the sequence: departure, storm, Jesus asleep, his command, the calm, and the disciples’ response. Invite children to notice how their fear changed into wonder. Keep the discussion centered on Mark’s account.

Source note

From this passage

Mark 4:39 · Calming the Storm

Jesus stands or sits visibly within the boat as he speaks to the wind and sea. The composition contrasts the last curling waves with a broad area of great calm around the boat.