Curriculum
Rest in Jesus
Memory Verse:
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (Mark 6:31)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
God knows we need rest from all the things we accomplish each day. Even the best tasks and responsibilities require us to rest and renew our hearts, bodies, and souls for His work.
Scripture Summary
The word “apostle” is used in this passage (and also in Luke 6:13). Apostle means “the one sent” or “messenger.” The disciples were officially called apostles after Jesus’ death.
Jesus and His disciples were all deep in ministry. They had just gathered back after Jesus sent out the disciples, in pairs, to preach the good news and heal the sick in His name. The disciples were sharing all that they had seen and experienced, and they were tired. Jesus took them away for much-needed rest.
The disciples needed rest from even the best moments of ministry. God didn’t call them to keep going and not take care of their own physical needs. As an example, even God rested when He created the world. He rested and created the Sabbath on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2).
Because of His popularity, Jesus and His disciples had great crowds following them. It was tough to get away for rest because the crowds kept seeking them out and following them. Jesus compared the crowd to sheep without a shepherd. Jesus was the ultimate Shepherd who would share the good news and what they needed to know.
Gennesaret, a small plain, sat on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. And the home of Jesus, Capernaum, was on the northern edge of this plain.
Why Is This Important
No one can keep going at full speed for very long. God created us to need rest and relaxation, whether on the Sabbath or throughout the week.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
This familiar verse presents a very real challenge to each of us. We know that God is God in our minds, but what does that look like in practical terms? It means taking deep breaths. It means pausing and acknowledging God’s sovereignty before diving into a project at work. It means trusting Him with the outcome of an unknown—without stressing and planning for every possible scenario.
And while it might seem doable to know that God is God, being still is a whole different challenge. It’s difficult to remain still (for kids and adults alike). We live in a culture that praises progress, advancement, and even busyness. But that’s not God’s design for us. He wants us to rest and relax.
Read today’s Scripture slowly, and pay attention to your breathing. Continue to read each line that’s a shortened version of the verse. Take a couple of deep breaths between each reading.
Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know that I. Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
As appropriate, choose a different pace today. Drive the long way home. Choose the long line at the grocery store. Cancel unnecessary appointments today. With this different pace today, be mindful of how God calls us to “Be still.”
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for creating me to need rest. I’m sorry for trying each day to tackle too much in my own strength—and not taking care of my physical needs for rest. I want to rest in You today, both physically and in my spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bibles, “Paper Boat” handouts, “Paper Boat Instructions” handouts, Pens
Get Ready: Before class, print the “Paper Boat” handout on brightly colored paper, one per child. On regular paper, print the “Paper Boat Instructions” handout, one for every few children. Review the folding instructions to learn how to make the boats.
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ ” (Mark 6:31)
Lead kids in these steps:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 6:31.
- Give each child a “Paper Boat” handout, and have kids find the missing words in the Bible memory verse and fill in the blanks.
- Ask for volunteers to read aloud the memory verse.
- Invite kids to follow the instructions on the “Paper Boat Instructions” handout to fold the “Paper Boat” handout into a boat.
- Have kids keep their boats in their Bibles as a reminder to get away and find rest.
SAY: In today’s lesson, Jesus got away in a boat for some rest. Place the boat in your Bible as a reminder that if Jesus needed rest, we certainly do, too.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles
Invite the children to open their Bibles to Mark 6:30-34. Read aloud Mark 6:30-32, and explain to kids that they’re going to practice resting. Play the Minute Game with the kids like this:
- Invite kids to sit silently and relax for one minute.
- When they think it has been one minute, they stand up.
- The child who stands up closest to a minute wins.
- To make it more difficult, the adults in the room can count out loud or say random numbers to confuse the kids who are trying to count to 60 in their heads.
- Play several rounds as time allows.
ASK:
- Tell about your experience in this game.
- Did one minute feel really long or really short?
- Why do you personally need rest?
SAY: We are busy people, and we have to make time for rest and relaxation. We know Jesus’ friends had been very busy and they hadn’t even had time to eat. That was one reason they needed rest. Let’s look at what happened with them next.
Read aloud Mark 6:33-34, 53-56.
ASK:
- What do you think about what happened when Jesus and the disciples got into the boat?
- How might rest have prepared them for what they faced?
SAY: Rest is good! We need it after hard work to recuperate, and we need it so we can do our best in the future. Jesus teaches us to rest so that we can care for ourselves, as well as give our best to others!
Snack
Boat Snacks
You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Apple slices, Cheese slices, Toothpicks
Get Ready: Cut the cheese slices into triangles, two per child.
Follow these steps for the “Boat Snacks”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, two apple slices, two toothpicks, and two cheese triangles.
- Instruct kids to thread a toothpick through the cheese to make a sail.
- Put the toothpick in an apple slice to make a boat.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- Rest doesn’t always mean sleep. Tell about a new way you can take time to rest.
- What makes it hard for you to rest sometimes?
SAY: In today’s lesson, Jesus got the disciples to go with Him and get some rest away from the crowds. It’s so important for us to get away and rest, too.
Game
Boat Game
You’ll Need: Masking tape
Get Ready: Using the masking tape, make a large boat outline on the floor.
To play the game, follow these steps:
- Explain to kids that you’ll call out a command, and the last person to do it correctly is out.
- Teach kids the commands, and then play.
- Commands:
- Bow: Kids move to the front of the boat.
- Stern: Kids move to the back of the boat.
- Overboard: Kids lie on their bellies outside the boat.
- Lifeboat: Kids sit in groups of three outside the boat and pretend to row the boat.
- Fish: Kids jump out of the boat and make fish faces.
- Play as time allows.
SAY: Jesus was so popular that sometimes it was hard for Him to get away. He had not even eaten that day, so He and His disciples sneaked away in a boat for some rest. We all need rest and relaxation.
Craft
Relaxation Jars
You’ll Need: Clear mason jars with lids, Warm water, Glitter glue, Hot glue gun and glue sticks, Plastic spoons
Get Ready: Before class, test your glitter glue to ensure it mixes with the water. (The Creatology brand sold at Michaels is a great option for glitter glue.)
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Relaxation Jars”:
- Fill the mason jars halfway with warm water.
- Squeeze 2 or 3 tablespoons of glitter glue into the water, and stir.
- Add warm water to the mason jar until full.
- Hot glue the lid and screw it onto the jar.
- Shake the jars vigorously to mix the water and glitter glue.
SAY: Aren’t these jars calming and relaxing to just sit and look at? Take these jars home with you as a reminder that we all need rest and relaxation.
Prayer
Rest Prayers
You’ll Need: An open space
- Invite kids to lie on their backs and relax.
- Call out the following prayer prompts for them to pray silently.
- Spend a few moments thinking about how great God is and praise Him silently in prayer.
- Is there a sin in your life you need to confess to God? Silently tell Him you’re sorry and ask for forgiveness.
- Thank God for something in your life.
- Pray silently for yourself.
- Pray silently for someone else.
PRAY: Dear God, once again we thank You for the example of Jesus. Jesus made time to rest and relax, and we also need to make time to rest and relax. Please help us remember to pause during our busy days, to be still and know that You are God.
