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Jesus calms the storm: how to talk with your child about fear

By KindTales. 5 min read. Mark 4:35–41

Almost every child feels afraid sometimes: of the dark, of thunder, of being away from you. The story of Jesus calming the storm is a good way to talk about it, because it does not pretend the disciples were not afraid. They were. And Jesus was in the boat with them.

Here is a calm way to tell it to a child ages 5 to 8, and a few questions to end on.

The story in plain words

It was evening. Jesus and his friends got into a boat to cross the lake. Then the wind began to blow, and the waves grew bigger and bigger. Water started coming into the boat, and the disciples were very afraid.

Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping. They woke him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are in danger?" Jesus stood up and said to the wind and the waves, "Be still!" And everything became calm. Then he asked his friends, "Why are you so afraid?" They were amazed and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

The story is in Mark 4:35–41. You can read it together from your own Bible afterward.

What to slow down on

• The disciples were really afraid. Don't hurry past it. Say, "They were afraid, and that is okay."
• Jesus was in the boat. The story does not say the storm never came. It says Jesus was with them in it.
• "Why are you so afraid?" Say it gently, as a question, not as a scolding. It is an invitation to trust, not a reason to feel ashamed.

5 gentle questions to ask after

Pick one or two. You do not need all five.

1. What did the disciples see and hear when the storm came?
2. How do you think they felt?
3. Jesus was sleeping in the boat. What do you think the disciples thought about that?
4. What happened when Jesus said, "Be still"?
5. Is there something that makes you feel afraid? What helps you feel safe?

With the last question, listen first. If your child shares a real fear, thank them for telling you before you say anything else. You do not need to fix it right away.

A short calming prayer

Sometimes a few words said slowly are enough: "Jesus, I feel afraid. Thank you for being with me. Help me feel calm. Amen." Say it together, with a deep breath between the lines.

If your child is very worried

A Bible story can comfort, but it does not replace you. If your child's fears are strong, often, or get in the way of sleep or school, talk with your pediatrician or another professional who knows your child.

Looking for more ways to end the day calmly? Try our 5 short bedtime prayers for kids.