Joyful Moments in Christ

This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.

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Lesson Icebreaker Question

Have you ever been in a bad storm? What did you do?

Lesson Highlight (GNT)

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus saved his friends during a big storm. We will see that Jesus has great power and cares for his people.

Vocabulary List

1. About To Die — Very close to dying.
2. Across — From one side to the other.
3. Afraid — Feeling scared.
4. Amazed — Feeling surprised and wondering how something could happen.
5. Boat — A small ship used for traveling on water.
6. Calm — Quiet, peaceful, and without any trouble.
7. Danger — A situation where someone can get hurt.
8. Disciples — The followers and students of Jesus.
9. Faith — Trusting and believing in God.
10. Fell Asleep — Closed your eyes and started to sleep.
11. Fill — To make something full.
12. Gave — Handed or offered something to someone.
13. Got Up — Stood up or rose from lying down.
14. Great — Very big or important.
15. Lake — A large area of water surrounded by land.
16. Master — A teacher or leader; a name used for Jesus.
17. Obey — To do what you are told.
18. Order — A command telling someone to do something.
19. Other Side — The place across from where you are.
20. Quieted Down — Became calm and peaceful.
21. Sailing — Moving a boat on water.
22. Started Out — Began to go somewhere.
23. Storm — Very bad weather with strong wind and rain.
24. Stormy Water — Water moving roughly because of wind and bad weather.
25. Strong — Very powerful or hard.
26. Suddenly — Happening very fast, without warning.
27. Wake Up — To stop sleeping.
28. Waves — The rising and falling water in a lake or sea.
29. Wind — Moving air.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells a story about Jesus and his disciples, who were his close friends and students. One day, Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross a big lake. As they sailed across the water, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly, a strong wind began to blow. Big waves splashed into the boat, and the disciples became very afraid because the boat was filling with water.

The disciples quickly woke Jesus up. They called him “Master” and told him they were about to die. Even though Jesus had been sleeping, he got up and spoke to the wind and the waves. Right away, the wind stopped, the water became calm, and the danger was gone.

After the storm stopped, Jesus asked his disciples why they did not trust him. The disciples were amazed and a little afraid. They wondered who Jesus was, because even the wind and waves obeyed him.

This passage shows us that Jesus has great power over nature. He can stop storms with his words. It also teaches us that we should trust Jesus, even when we feel afraid. Jesus cares for his people and can help them in times of trouble.

Read The Passage

Jesus Calms a Storm
22 One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they started out.
23 As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a strong wind blew down on the lake, and the boat began to fill with water, so that they were all in great danger.
24 The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master! We are about to die!”
Jesus got up and gave an order to the wind and to the stormy water; they quieted down, and there was a great calm.
25 Then he said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?”
But they were amazed and afraid, and said to one another, “Who is this man? He gives orders to the winds and waves, and they obey him!”

Luke 8:22-25 (GNT)

Most English learners should use the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) or the Good News Translation (GNT) because they are easy to read. If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions:

• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 8:22-25 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 8:22-25 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 8:22-25 (ESV)

Comprehension Questions

1. Where did Jesus and his disciples go in the boat?
2. What happened while they were sailing?
3. What did the disciples do when the storm came?
4. What did Jesus do when the disciples woke him up?
5. How did the storm stop?
6. What question did Jesus ask the disciples after the storm?
7. How did the disciples feel after seeing what Jesus did?
8. What did the disciples say about Jesus at the end of the story?

Application Questions

1. Have you ever felt afraid like the disciples? What happened?
2. Why is it hard to trust someone when we feel afraid?
3. What is one way you can trust God when you feel worried this week?
4. How does it make you feel to know Jesus has power over storms and problems?

Theological Insights

1. Jesus has power over nature because he is God’s Son.
2. Even in hard times, Jesus cares for his people and hears their prayers.
3. God wants his people to trust him, even when life feels scary.
4. Faith means believing that God is with us and can help us, even when we cannot see him working.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for taking care of us when we feel afraid. Help us to trust you in every storm and believe that you are with us. Amen.

ELL Resources for the Gospel of Luke

More ELL Resources

You can find more Bible lessons for English learners on the main ELL page.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.