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A miracle of Jesus · Part 14 of 20 · 3 min

A Hand Above the Waves

A story about trust, courage, and care

After feeding the crowd, Jesus sent his disciples ahead in the boat. He stayed to send the people home and then went to pray.

Jesus prayed while his friends sailed away.
Jesus prayed while his friends sailed away.

The disciples traveled across the lake. But the wind blew against them, and waves struck their boat.

The night seemed very long.

Waves surrounded the boat as the disciples rowed.

The disciples rowed against the wind.
The disciples rowed against the wind.

Before dawn, they saw someone coming toward them on the water. It was Jesus, but at first they did not recognize him and were afraid.

He spoke to encourage them. He told them it was him and that they did not need to be afraid.

Jesus walks across the lake toward a boat carrying his disciples.
Jesus came toward his friends across the water.

Peter asked to come to him on the water. Jesus invited him to come.

Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus. But when he noticed the wind, he grew afraid and began to sink.

Peter left the boat to come toward Jesus.
Peter left the boat to come toward Jesus.

He called to the Lord for help.

Jesus reached out his hand and held Peter.

He did not leave Peter alone in the water. He spoke about Peter's trust and went with him to the boat.

When they climbed aboard, the wind stopped. The disciples recognized that Jesus was the Son of God.

Jesus holds Peter's hand among the waves beside a boat.
Jesus held Peter when he was afraid.

This story shows Jesus helping a friend who needed his hand.

Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat and the wind stopped.
Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat and the wind stopped.

When something is too much for us, we can say we need help. That does not make us less precious.

A child asked for help when he needed it.
A child asked for help when he needed it.

We can trust Jesus and listen to the people who care for us. A hand offered at the right time can help very much.

A hand offered at the right time can help very much.
A hand offered at the right time can help very much.

Jesus cares and helps, and we can share his kindness.

Retelling of Matthew 14:22–33.

Supporting reading: The Desire of Ages, chapter 40. Open the book

Talk about it together

  • Trust in God
  • Courage
  • Care

A verse to remember

“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27 · excerptNKJV

  1. What did Jesus do when Peter called for help and began to sink?
  2. How might Peter feel when Jesus held him by the hand?
  3. What words can you use when a task is too hard for you?

Activity · 2–5 minutes

Asking for a Hand

Choose a task the child is learning, such as closing a backpack or fastening a button. Let them try and practice saying, “I can’t do this on my own yet; can you help me?” A grown-up helps patiently. Remember that Peter asked Jesus for help when he needed it.

Try it today: Asking for help when something is too much does not make me less precious.

More stories with these values

Complete the scene

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