(WT) Peter Sinks, Jesus Saves! ~ Art Workshop

Rotation.org Writing Team

Peter Sinks, Jesus Saves!

The story of Jesus walking on the water

Art Workshop

Summary of Activities

Students will create and colorize a "3D" illustration of Christ's hand reaching out to save Peter. By using their own hand for Peter's, the lesson point is made clear: Jesus saves us, even when we fear and doubt.

Scripture for the Lesson

Matthew 14:22-33. Matthew's version of the story includes Peters attempt and Christ's rescue.

Key/Memory Verse: (Peter) cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (NRSV) Hands-2up

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives.

Story Notes:

Not all Gospel stories are this dramatic and miraculous, and so full of clear life application. We are Peter. We sink. Jesus saves. ...And Jesus puts us in the boat with other believers.

From our post-resurrection point of view, it doesn't seem implausible or even surprising that Jesus could walk on water. Of the three gospel versions of this story, only Matthew remembers the real shocker: Peter being called out of the boat and into the waves. For a moment, he seemed to be doing it, but then, unsurprisingly, he sinks. No man before or after Jesus has ever done it, and that seems to be the point.

When Jesus utters those famous words, "You of little faith," —it's a sigh, not a condemnation. Jesus saves, and will always need to save. Walking on water is a lesson to everyone who thinks they have what it takes. And it's an out-stretched hand to everyone who knows they don't. It's a lesson for everyone who's had that sinking feeling about their faith, and who hasn't. This is why we're focusing on the two hands in this lesson.

About the 3d Hand Art Technique

Making a "3d" hand is easy and fun to do, and it allows for some thoughtful artistic expression. It's a process that's easier to see than write about, so please watch the following short video posted on YouTube by Ventuno Art. (There are many other "3d hand" instructional videos online if you need more.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNEXzvnD7mI

The video is 2 minutes long. It shows the artist using a ruler to line their paper, but our Team has come up with a quicker option: ruled paper. Print the Lined Paper PDF attached to this lesson. The lines on it are light grey and spaced 3 to an inch -which is perfect for this project. If you want a size other than 8.5 x 14, print your own at http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/lined/

Here is another website with helpful step-by-step instructions and drawings.

Overview of how-to create a 3-D hand :

First use a pencil to trace and add all the lines so that you can correct mistakes, then trace over the pencil lines with a marker when instructed to do so.

Place your hand on the bottom of the page and position it as if it is "reaching up" to the top of the page.
Trace the outline of your hands and fingers reaching up.
Place another hand (Jesus' hand) at the top of your page "reaching down" toward your first traced hand. Position hand and fingers in a dynamic "reaching" kind of way and trace that hand reaching down.
Now add parallel lines every 1/2" across the entire page from top to bottom using a ruler --but DO NOT draw within the outlines of the hands or fingers. (You'll be adding curved lines within the hand outlines to create the 3D effect.)
Now it's time to trace over the parallel lines printed on the paper using a marker, but WITHOUT tracing inside the hands and fingers (yet).
Then freehand draw the curved lines on the inside of the fingers and hand tracings connecting the curved lines to where the parallel lines touch the outline. See image above or the video clip for clarifcation.
Add the scripture verses.
Colorize and add shading. (Older students can also add words.)
Mount on posterboard.

Preparation and Materials

Read the Bible Background and scripture.
Read (and watch the video) about how to create a 3-D hand effect.
Try out this process and create a couple of examples to show students. If older students will visit your workshop, consider trying to create Jesus' hand reaching out to grasp Peter's/the student's hand.
Gather the following materials:

Supply List

Bibles
8.5 x 14 white paper (print the pre-lined paper PDF attached to this lesson.)
Posterboard, pre-cut to 9" x 15".
Spray adhesive to mount the illustration to the posterboard (glue will ruin the illustration)
A good collection of colored pencils and markers
Examples of your own 3-D hand project
Printable "Hand of Jesus" for younger kids or those short on time
"White-out" TAPE to correct mistakes. (Markers will bleed through liquid white-out)

Lesson Plan

This drawing project will take some time to complete. If unfinished, students can easily complete it at home. Because the meaning of the image they'll be creating is such a clear reminder of the story and its life application, focus your time on helping your students create the work of art, and trust that as it goes home, it will continue to share the message.

Some key considerations

1. Be the "art" teacher in this lesson. That is, first show them the technique and samples, rather than tossing paper and markers at them. Do your best to encourage "thoughtful design." Peter's sinking hand should not have rainbows and sparkles. Help your students express what's in the story.

2. Be prepared to mount their artwork on a piece of posterboard so that it looks worthy of display at home. A sheet of paper probably won't get out of the backseat of the family car.

3. Carefully consider the drawing supplies. While water-color markers are inexpensive and ubiquitous in our classrooms, they can signal "child's play" to your older children. "Classic" Crayola colors can also be too heavy in some drawings. Include and encourage a "lighter palette." Invest in a nice set of art-quality markers and coloring pencils.

4. We've included a printable "hand of Jesus" in this lesson here at rotation.org. Use this with younger children who will be hard-pressed to prepare one hand, much less two. See more younger children adaptations below.

Opening Bible Study

Welcome your students and explain what they'll be doing and learning in today's lesson.

Ask: What do you know about Peter? (Remind them who he was, the things we know about him. How Jesus called him from his fishing boat. How he denied Jesus. How he became the leader of the disciples.)

Invite students to help you read Matthew 14:22-33.

Ask: Why did Peter sink? (Doubt and fear)

Ask: What was Peter afraid of? (Dying? Maybe Jesus didn't have the power? Wasn't the Messiah? Maybe Peter thought he wasn't worthy or good enough to walk on water like Jesus?)

Ask: Do you think doubts and fears are normal?

Ask: What are you afraid of? Do you have doubts about Jesus? (At this point, it is important to be honest and share that you too have doubts and fears. They are normal for human beings, and God knows this.)

Ask: Do you think it is possible for a follower of Jesus to have enough faith to walk on water? In the history of faith, Jesus is the only one who has ever done it. What does this say?

Say: Do you remember the first time Jesus called Peter? When Jesus called Peter, he told him he would "teach him how to fish for people." In today's boat and storm story, Jesus teaches Peter another great lesson, what was it?

The lesson Jesus' saving hand teaches us...
That even disciples like Peter will have doubts and fears, and sink, especially when life gets rough. Jesus is teaching Peter and all of us that we need to depend on him. That our faith is not enough. Part of us will always doubt or be afraid. Jesus has compassion on Peter, and on us as well. (There are dozens of New Testament references to this "saved by grace not faith/works" theology, all of which Jesus sums up by plucking Peter from the sea!)

Do this: Have several students read aloud Jesus word's to Peter in verse 31, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”, ...but have them do it in a compassionate and understanding voice. For contrast, have someone read it in a condemning or angry tone (which is how some people hear Jesus in these words.)

Then ask: "Which one sounds more like the Savior of the World who died on a cross for you?"

Draw

Explain the process and show some examples. As you do this, note how the two hands "capture" who we are (the sinking disciple in need of Jesus' saving help), and Jesus the Savior of sinners like us.

[For drawing directions look above under "About the 3d Hand Art Technique".]

Things to ask during the drawing time:

How should you position Peter and Jesus' hand to show "rescue" and "sinking" ?
What storms can happen in a person's life? (death, trouble with friends, illness, doubt, feeling unwelcome, loss.)
What colors represent trouble, sinking, storms, doubt? What "drawing" techniques might represent those? (i.e. don't just fill in the lines with solid color.)
How does Jesus rescue us from the storm and waves of life? (We have his comfort, strength, guidance. He sends us helpers, and ways to focus on the needs of others rather than our own. He promises a place with him in heaven.)
Church is one BIG way Jesus reaches out to us. How do we grab his hand? (Through praise and prayer, singing, and studying, serving and giving. The boat is a symbol for the church, and that's where Jesus places Peter.)
What colors might represent the idea of rescue? Jesus?

For older students...
Does anyone want to try and draw Jesus' hand grasping on to your hand? This might take some practice attempts.
Label two or three of the "layers" around your hand with "trouble and fears" you have.
Label one of the layers "doubt" and colorize/decorate it to express how doubt feels.

Have each student share their drawing. Have them share something that may be unique in their drawing, ...something they included as a message.

Give each student a piece of posterboard for their drawing. Spray the back of their illustration and help them position it on the board. Then have them sign it like every great artist would!

Adaptations

For Younger Students:
Use the printable Jesus hand to save time. If needed, have some helpers pre-color some or all of Jesus' hand and tape it to the top of the student's hand-drawing before mounting to the posterboard with spray adhesive.

Encourage students to start coloring from the top-down so that their hand doesn't smudge the marker as it dries. Remind them that they do not have to completely color in each band, but they do need to stay within the lines.

Give their traced hand one final tracing with a black marker to clean it up a bit. Have "white-out" tape to cover up mistakes.

Other Uses of the Art Project:

This activity is also a great "at home" lesson activity or intergenerational activity.

It can be re-themed for a lesson about praying, reaching to God, asking for help, helping others, lending a helping hand, or seeking renewal, etc. "What I ask God for," "Asking God to save me." etc.

You can also do a "full 3D body" using this same technique!

Written by the Rotation.org Writing Team
Copyright Rotation.org Inc.