Purpose

To give children a visual and physical way to remember that Jesus has the power to take the wildest storm and make it completely calm.

Setup

1. Fill each water bottle about halfway with regular water.
2. Cut out tiny boat shapes from craft foam (or use small plastic bottle caps) so they can fit through the neck of the water bottle.

Instructions

1. The Water: Give each child a half-filled bottle of water. Let them add exactly one or two drops of blue food coloring to the water. Put the cap on and shake it so the water turns ocean blue!
2. The Boat: Have the children drop their tiny foam “boat” into the blue water.
3. The Oil: Have an adult help pour baby oil or cooking oil into the bottle until it is almost full to the top.
4. Seal it: The teacher should use a hot glue gun to put a ring of hot glue around the inside of the bottle cap before screwing it on tightly. This prevents major spills later!
5. The Storm: Have the children turn the bottle sideways. When they shake it gently, the oil and water will mix and create a churning, bubbly “storm” with the little boat tossing around inside!
6. The Calm: Tell them to say, “Peace, be still!” just like Jesus did, and hold the bottle perfectly still. In just a few seconds, the water and oil will separate, and the “ocean” will become completely calm again.

Discussion While Crafting

• “How did the disciples feel when the boat was rocking in the storm?” (Terrified!).
• “Did Jesus have to work really hard to stop the storm?” (No, He just spoke to it!).
• “When you feel scared or worried, shake your bottle to remember the storm. Then hold it still and remember that Jesus has the power to bring peace to your heart.”