CourageFor parents · 4 min read

Walking on Water: Teaching Kids to Be Brave

What Peter's wobbly walk on the waves teaches kids about fear, and a three-page way to practice brave at home.

  • By Nati & JP
  • Ages 3 to 12
Coloring page from Colorful Miracles: Jesus and Peter walking on water

Every child has a boat moment. The first day of school. The dark hallway at night. The swim lesson where the water suddenly looks very deep.

Peter had one too, in the middle of a storm, at night, on the Sea of Galilee.

Out of the boat

The disciples were rowing against the wind when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. They were terrified. Jesus called out, Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27) Peter asked to come to Him, and Jesus answered with one word:

“He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”

Matthew 14:29

When the wind got loud

Then Peter looked around. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30) Jesus didn't wait for Peter to fix it himself. He immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him (Matthew 14:31).

Here is the part kids need to hear: Peter was scared, and he still stepped out. When he started to sink, he called to Jesus, and Jesus caught him. Brave doesn't mean never feeling scared. Brave means looking to Jesus while you are scared.

Brave words to keep

Long before that storm, God gave Joshua the same kind of courage for a much bigger job:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

For a five-year-old, "wherever you go" covers the classroom, the doctor's office and the top bunk.

Try it at home

Practice brave in three pages

  1. The miracle. Color the Walking on Water page from Colorful Miracles. Ask: "What do you think Peter saw when he looked down?"
  2. The lesson. On the BRAVE page, talk about one new thing that feels scary this week. Name it out loud together.
  3. The verse. Color "We can be brave because God is with us wherever we go," then cut it out and hang it where the scary thing happens: by the bed, the backpack or the front door.

Next time your child faces a boat moment, you won't need a speech. Point to the page on the fridge and ask, "Where is Jesus right now?"

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.