Wednesday December 17th
Hello and welcome to Bay Family Adventures!
As we countdown until Christmas Day, we’re spending time thinking about the Christmas story and drawing near to God together. Each week we look at a different theme — and this week we’re thinking about PEACE.
Let’s start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
God please help us remember our memory verse for this week:
John 14:27 (NCV)
“I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give like the world. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Today we are reading about the time Jesus calmed a storm.
Mark 4:38–40 (NCV)
Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with His head on a pillow. The followers went and woke Him. They said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are drowning?”
Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm.
Jesus said to His followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Even the wind and waves obeyed Jesus! That shows us how powerful He is — and that His peace is stronger than any storm. Sometimes there are a lot of things happening in our lives that we don’t have control over – like the weather! And there are things that happen in our lives that can feel like a storm. But Jesus is bigger than any storm – he’s more powerful and he can help us too.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question:
What do you think it would have felt like to see Jesus calm the storm?
And now let’s ask God to help us.
Father God, thank You that You are more powerful than any storm. Please help us to trust You and to find peace knowing that You are always with us.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us.
Mark 4:38–40 (NCV)
Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with His head on a pillow. The followers went and woke Him. They said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are drowning?”
Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm.
Jesus said to His followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
And now let’s say yes to God.
Lord Jesus, we say yes to trusting You in every storm and receiving Your peace. We say Yes to trusting that you are in control, give us more faith to see and believe.
After enjoying this time together, lets’ say together our memory verse one more time:
John 14:27 (NCV)
“I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give like the world. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Let’s point to our mouths.
Lord, please give us the right words and be encouraged to say them.
Amen.