Fruit of the Spirit PEACE: devotional and lesson plan

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The fruit of the Spirit: PEACE includes a devotional you can use in a lesson, as well as a fruit of the Spirit: peace lesson, craft, coloring page and other activities.

The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE: a devotional

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.

Matthew 14: 28–31 NIV

Some things just go together, like peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, campfires and s’mores. You know what else goes together? Peace and courage.

Jesus can bring peace even when things are super scary, like when you’re in the middle of a storm on a huge lake in a rickety boat. Having peace in your heart is lovely, but Jesus doesn’t just want us to sit around, being happy and peaceful. He gives us peace for a purpose: so we can have courage.

Courage is the strength to act even when you’re scared. It’s something God gives you. Imagine you are scared of going into a dark basement. Eek! I’m even scared of that sometimes, and I’m an adult!

When you pray, God can give you peace, which is the feeling that no matter what you do or where you go, he is with you. That feeling is like a bubble of peace surrounding you. Now that you’ve got peace, you can walk down to the basement. That’s courage.

fruit of the Spirit peace object lesson: child in a bubble!

This is what happened with Peter. Jesus had this bubble of amazing peace around him. Peter could walk on water because he knew God had given him the power to do it. Peter hopped over the side and had a peace-bubble just like Jesus…until he looked at the waves around him and his bubble POPPED.

Maybe you’re afraid of sleeping away from your parents. Maybe you’re afraid to do something kind for a kid you don’t get along with. Or maybe you’re scared to tell someone when you’re hurting inside. When you look at what’s happening around you, it can easily pop your peace bubble.

When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he noticed the storm around him. The wind and waves had been there the whole time, but because he suddenly focused on them instead of Jesus, Peter lost his peace and sank. When we only look at the bad things in our lives, we become anxious and afraid.

But when we look at Jesus and all the amazing works he’s done for us, that peace comes back. And just like campfires naturally lead to s’mores, peace naturally leads courage: courage to sleep away from home, courage to be kind, and courage to talk to the people who love you.

A fruit of the Spirit: PEACE lesson plan for children

Use this fruit of the Spirit: PEACE lesson plan for Sunday School or at home!

INTRODUCTION:

Supplies: unpeeled orange and clear jug of water

ASK: Do you think this orange will float in the water? Why/why not?

Dramatically drop the orange in the water. It will float, because of all the air trapped in the skin. Next, peel the orange.

ASK: Do you think this orange will still float in the water? Why/why not?

Dramatically drop the orange in again. It will sink.

SAY: This orange has lost the skin, which acted like a protective bubble of air. Today, we’re going to learn about a man who had a protective bubble…and lost it.

2. LESSON:

Help children look up and read Matthew 28:31, then share the devotional from above.

After, ASK: What is something courageous that you have done? Were you peaceful or afraid while you did it?

SAY: Close your eyes and imagine being in a lake in the middle of a huge storm. Thunder crashes and waves slosh water up your nose. You can’t touch the bottom no matter how far you stretch your toes. Now imagine Jesus next to you. As he holds you, an un-poppable bubble forms around you both. How does it feel to be protected?

ASK: What amazing things has Jesus done for you?

3. PRAYER:

Please show us how to receive your peace, Jesus, so we can have courage every day. Amen.

4. PEACE ACTIVITIES:

Play with bubbles!
Follow the instructions in this video to make a cornstarch/water slurry that gives kids a fun “walking on water” experience.
Have children write John 14:27 in fancy letters and hang it above their beds. As they write it, have them say the verse in different voices. Try it loud, whispered, or wiggling your lips with your finger to make it sound bubbly.
Have kids draw a picture of them and Jesus in the middle of a storm.
Teach children a breath prayer to pray when they are anxious. As you breathe in, say “When I am afraid” and as you breathe out, say “I will trust in you.”
Invite kids to make up a song about God’s peace.

A fruit of the Spirit: PEACE coloring page

Download and print this entire package of fruit of the Spirit coloring pages and activities, including this PEACE coloring page featuring John 14:27. This coloring page is available in 4 translations.

Fruit of the Spirit PEACE coloring page of John 14:27 (NLT)

A fruit of the Spirit: PEACE craft

Enjoy this fruit of the Spirit: PEACE craft that does also triple-duty as an open-ended art project AND science experiment!

Open-ended art projects are a great way to keep things simple for yourself, while still being a load of fun for kids. Kids LOVE that they don’t have to follow the “make-the-craft-this-way” rules, and will be able to harness their creativity and problem-solving skills to create something they can truly be proud of. It may not come out as cute as a follow-the-rules craft, but the learning they’re doing is far more important than a display-worthy craft.

SUPPLIES: Buoyant items like pieces of pool noodles, foam, wood and/or corks; straws, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, or skewers; paper (laminated to make waterproof) or foam sheets; scissors, glue

INSTRUCTIONS: Invite children to choose items that will help them create a boat that actually floats on the water. Feel free to give some ideas to get their ideas going, but after, spend your time asking questions like “do you think that will float?” and “what might help this float better”? Then, put out a bucket of water and test out their creations!