Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Ludolf Backhuysen. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Reader’s Theater: Jesus Calms the Storm
Based on Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
Parts: NARRATOR, JESUS, ALL (congregation as the disciples)

Feel free to adapt the script to Matthew or Luke’s version of the story. Also, feel free to add sound effects for the storm, either recorded or a portion of the congregation live as another role in the storytelling.

NARRATOR
Jesus had been teaching and healing all day in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee.
When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples,

JESUS
Let us go over to the other side

NARRATOR
Leaving the crowd behind, the disciples took Jesus along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

A furious squall came up,
and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
The disciples woke him and said to him,

ALL
Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?

NARRATOR
Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves

JESUS
Quiet! Be still!

NARRATOR
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

JESUS
Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?

NARRATOR
They were terrified and asked each other,

ALL
Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

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Looking for more on this scripture passage? Click here for a wonderful excerpt of the book Undone: A Story of Making Peace with an Unexpected Life by Michelle Cushatt.

Adapted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Reader’s Theater: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41) © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. You are welcome to use this work in a worship or other devotional setting with proper attribution. Contact the Lisa for posting and publication considerations.