Growing in the Word

God Preserves in a Storm

Law
In a world ruined by sin, I will have storms in
my life.

Gospel
God is with me and preserves me in the
storms of life, and in His boat, the Church, He
brings me safely to eternity in heaven.

Context

Acts 27:1344
wreck in ancient literature. The storm drove
them with such force that the crew feared they
would run aground at Syrtis (Acts 27:17), a huge,
infamous sandbar off North Africa. In desperation, the crew literally begins pulling parts of the
ship off in order to jettison them overboard and
stay afloat.
At this most desperate moment, God sends
His reassurance. Not only will Gods plan for
Paul to reach Rome not fail, but all aboard will
be spared for his sake. What a chance for Paul to
witness his faith to a receptive audience!

During Pauls imprisonment in Jerusalem,

Jesus appeared to him with the encouraging
news that Paul would indeed testify about
Him in Rome (Acts 23:11). After two
years of detention under Felix,
the opportunity finally came. As
Podcast
a prisoner, Paul was placed in
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the care of a centurion named
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Julius, who showed him kindand listen to the
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ness and respect. Paul was
each week!
accompanied by Luke, the author
of Acts, and Aristarchus, who
would later be imprisoned with Paul.
The intended trip from Fair Havens to
Phoenix, only about 60 miles, became a hazardous 600-mile adventure. An initially favorable
breeze changed suddenly to a wind of hurricane
force that was sweeping down the mountains
and into the sea (Acts 27:1319).

Commentary
Lukes account is among the most detailed
and realistic descriptions of a storm and ship-

Sounding confirmed the water

was growing more shallow. First,
it was 120 feet, then 90 feet.
Soon the ship strikes a reef
and begins to break up in the
pounding waves.
Because he cares for Paul,
Julius will not permit the prisoners to be executed. Instead,
all 276 persons swim or float to
safety, clearly by Gods hand.

Not only is God always guarding His people

from physical danger, but much more important,
He is constantly warding off Satans spiritual
threats. The Bible even speaks of the security
Christ gives us in nautical terms: a sure and
steadfast anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19). We
can be sure God is watching over us in even the
most frightening circumstances.

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Seedlings Devotional Talks

God Preserves in a Storm

Lesson 13

Text: Psalm 91:15

Hymn of the Day: I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus (LSB 729; LW 408;
TLH 428; AGPS 126)
Visual Helps: Two toy cars or trucks

I need two volunteers to help me out this morning. Have them come to the front of
the room. Give each of them one of the toy vehicles. Send them to opposite sides of the room,
and instruct them to try to make the toys crash somewhere in the middle. Give them a few
tries. Then have them come closer to each other, to a distance where they are sure they can
make the toys crash. Let them have a crash.
It is fun playing with toy cars and having them crash. Nobody gets hurt, and
there is no damage. What if these were real cars? How many of you have ever been
in an accident? What was it like? Allow one or two students to briefly share their experience.
What if you knew that the car, train, boat, or plane you were traveling on was
going to crash? How many of you think you might be frightened? I dont think that
any of us would want to be in an accident.
Today you are going to hear the story of an accident St. Paul was involved in
during one of his trips to other countries to tell people about Jesus. You will hear
how God promised to take care of St. Paul and everyone else and made everything
work out right. We know that God also loves us so that even if we are in an accident,
He is there and takes care of His children.
Because Jesus has forgiven our sins and promised to give us eternal life with
Him, we dont need to be afraid of anything in life. We dont need to be afraid of
death either, because those who believe in Jesus will go to heaven to be with Him
when they die. God promises to take care of us always.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be with us while we live and
when we die. Protect us so that we may live a long time to praise and serve You.
Help us always show others Your power in what we do and say. In Jesus name.
Amen.

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God Preserves in a Storm

Acts 27:1344

Though I walk in the midst

of trouble, You preserve my
life. Psalm 138:7

color
Story Page 13 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

106

God Preserves in a Storm

Acts 27:1344

Though I walk in the midst

of trouble, You preserve my
life. Psalm 138:7

color
Story Page 13 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

106

God Preserves in a Storm

Acts 27:1344

Though I walk in the midst

of trouble, You preserve my
life. Psalm 138:7

color
Story Page 13 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

106

God Preserves in a Storm

Find the following items in the picture: anchor, cross, Bible, church, ark or ship, sail or
foresail, compass, telescope, steering wheel, rope, and sounding instrument. Color the
picture.

Reproducible Page 13B

Growing in Christ Middle and Upper Grades 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Reproduced by permission.

119

God Preserves in a Storm

Find the following items in the picture: anchor, cross, Bible, church, ark or ship, sail or
foresail, compass, telescope, steering wheel, rope, and sounding instrument. Color the
picture.

Reproducible Page 13B

Growing in Christ Middle and Upper Grades 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Reproduced by permission.

119

Craft Guide
Lesson 13: God Preserves in a Storm
Craft-Stick Cross
Material: For each project, you will need notched craft sticks, glue, glow-in-the dark paint,
paintbrushes, and yarn.
Instructions: Have children glue two or more craft sticks together in the shape of a cross. Tie
a piece of yarn onto the top of the cross for a hanger. Paint the cross with glow-in-the-dark paint.
Talk about times the children are afraid. Encourage them to hang their cross in their room to
remind them that our Savior, Jesus, has promised to be with them always. Even when they have
troubles or are afraid, He is with them to preserve them and bring them safely to His home in
heaven.
Option: Use plain craft sticks. Add glitter or sequins to the cross.

Life Preserver
To Prepare: Make a life-preserver plaque. Use a paper plate, yarn, markers, craft paper, glue,
a paper punch, and tape.
Cut out a red construction-paper cross; glue it inside the plate. Write Jesus Saves around the
rim. Punch widely spaced holes around the inside of the rim. Cut a piece of yarn, tape the end,
and lace around the rim. Punch a hole at the top for hanging. Talk about how Jesus saves us from
sin and danger.
Options: Cut out the center of the plate, and draw the cross on the rim. Decorate with stickers. Glue round cereal over plaque.

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