Miracles of Jesus·Matthew/Mark/Luke/John

Walking on Water for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Ages 5+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated April 16, 2026

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Walking on Water

Read the lesson transcript

Hey kids! Buckle up, because this story has a plot twist that will blow your mind. It involves a dark lake, terrified disciples, and one very bold fisherman who did something NO human had ever done.

Right after I fed the five thousand, I told my disciples to get in the boat and cross the Sea of Galilee without me. I needed time alone to pray. So they sailed off, and I went up on a mountainside by myself.

Hours passed. It was now the middle of the night — somewhere between 3 and 6 in the morning. Pitch black. And my disciples were in TROUBLE. The wind was against them. Waves were battering the boat. They'd been rowing for HOURS and barely made any progress.

Then they saw something that made their blood run cold.

A figure. Walking toward them. ON TOP of the water.

They started SCREAMING. "It's a GHOST!" They were absolutely terrified.

But it was me. And I called out to them right away: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!"

Now here's where it gets INCREDIBLE. Peter — bold, impulsive, beautiful Peter — shouted back through the wind: "Lord, if it's really you, TELL ME TO COME TO YOU on the water!"

And I said one word: "Come."

Peter swung his legs over the side of that boat, put his feet on the water — and it HELD. He was WALKING. ON. WATER. Walking on the waves toward me. Can you IMAGINE?

But then — Peter looked down. He felt the wind. He saw the waves. And the moment his eyes shifted from me to the storm around him, fear rushed in. He started to SINK.

"LORD, SAVE ME!" he cried.

And IMMEDIATELY — not eventually, not after a lesson, not after he figured it out — IMMEDIATELY I reached out my hand and caught him. I pulled him up and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

We climbed into the boat together. The wind died down. And every single disciple fell to their knees and said, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Here's your lesson, and don't you EVER forget it: keep your eyes on ME, not on the waves. Peter didn't sink because the storm was too strong. He sank because he stopped looking at me. The moment you focus on the problem instead of the Problem-Solver — that's when you go under.

But even THEN — even when you sink — I'm right there to grab you. Every single time.

This retelling is one of our 200 Bible stories for kids — the whole Bible, free, from Genesis to Revelation.

Series: Miracles of Jesus (Episode 03 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Mark/Luke/John | Ages 5+

Walking on Water is a Bible story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

What Is the Story of Walking on Water for Kids?

MIRACLES OF JESUS — Episode 3: Walking on Water Based on Matthew 14:22-33

Hey kids! Buckle up, because this story has a plot twist that will blow your mind. It involves a dark lake, terrified disciples, and one very bold fisherman who did something NO human had ever done.

This story comes from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John and is part of the New Testament.

What Does the Story of Walking on Water Teach Children?

The story of Walking on Water teaches children important lessons about faith, God's power, compassion, trust:

This story teaches children about faith in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." — Matthew 14:27

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Illustration from Walking on Water for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

Why did Jesus send the disciples ahead in the boat without Him?

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray while the disciples crossed the lake.

What time of night did Jesus walk on the water toward the boat?

The Bible says it was during the "fourth watch of the night," which was between 3 and 6 AM — the darkest, most exhausting hours.

What did the disciples think they were seeing when Jesus walked on the water?

The disciples were terrified and screamed, "It's a ghost!" They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

What happened when Peter took his eyes off Jesus?

When Peter looked at the wind and waves instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, fear took over and he began to sink.

What did the disciples say after Jesus and Peter got into the boat?

The disciples worshipped Jesus and declared, "Truly you are the Son of God." The miracle revealed His true identity.

Walking on Water for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply - Key Moment Illustration

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

What was your favorite part of the story of Walking on Water?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like Walking in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Miracles of Jesus Series

This story is episode 03 of 10 in the Miracles of Jesus series:

300+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of Walking on Water about for kids?

Walking on Water is a story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John. MIRACLES OF JESUS — Episode 3: Walking on Water Based on Matthew 14:22-33

What age is the story of Walking on Water appropriate for?

This retelling of Walking on Water is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is Walking on Water found in the Bible?

Walking on Water is found in Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. It is part of the Miracles of Jesus series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of Walking on Water for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Walking on Water designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use Walking on Water for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does Walking on Water teach kids?

The story of Walking on Water teaches children about faith, God's power, compassion, trust. This story teaches children about faith in a way they can understand.

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