Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families

Episodes

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  When Forgiveness Is Hard 10.11.2026 4m

  Read: Colossians 3:12-14 “No!” Tula ran into her room and slammed the door. “She left us. I’m not forgiving her. Ever!” She dove headfirst into her pillows and burst into tears. It had been three years since Mom left. Two years since her last phone call. Now she wanted to be a part of Tula’s life again? Even though she was married to someone else and had a new baby? It wasn’t right. Dad came into the room and sat down on the edge of Tula’s bed. “I know this is hard, Tula, but your mom does love you. She wants you to know she’s sorry she hurt you.” “What she did was wrong!” “It was. But I did a lot of wrong things too, and you forgave me.” “But you didn’t leave me,” Tula said into her pillow. “Maybe not, but some of my choices hurt you just as much as your mom’s did.” The bed shifted as Dad leaned forward and grabbed a book off her nightstand. She didn’t have to look to know it was her Bible. “I wonder what God says we should do in a situation like this,” Dad said. Tula groaned. She knew exactly what God said she should do, but she wasn’t ready to stop being mad. Not yet. “She doesn’t deserve to be forgiven.” “Can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus had said that about us?” Tula shivered. Not being forgiven by Jesus? That would be awful. She rolled over and sat up. “I wouldn’t like that.” “Me neither. So, if Jesus can forgive us for hurting Him, shouldn’t we do the same when someone hurts us?” Tula thought for a moment before nodding. “Yes, but I’m gonna need help. Forgiving is hard.” “We’ll help each other,” Dad said as he hugged Tula. “And God will help us too. Because He forgave us for our sins, we’re able to forgive others. That doesn’t mean the hurt magically goes away. But when we forgive others, we allow Him to start healing our broken hearts. I think I’m ready for that.” Tula hugged Dad back. “I think I’m ready for that too.” –Jennifer Lindsay How about you? Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you’re saying what they did was okay. It means you’re allowing God to step into the situation and begin healing your heart and the heart of the person who hurt you. When we forgive, we’re showing others the love Jesus has shown us. Trust Him to help you forgive, even when it’s hard. Today’s key verse: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Forgiveness brings healing
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  Inheritance 09.11.2026 4m

  Read: Ephesians 1:4-14 “How did your long meeting go today?” Maya asked her mom. Mom let out a big sigh as she walked to the kitchen table where Maya was coloring. “We talked with a financial advisor about important things like money your grandma left us and what your dad and I want the future to look like, especially for you.” Maya nodded. She wanted to hear what Mom had to say, but talking about her grandma made Maya’s heart hurt. She hated how sad she and her family had been for the past month, but her parents assured her it was normal grieving. “Actually…” Mom sat down at the table. “There’s something we discussed in our meeting that I wanted to talk to you about.” Maya looked up, trying not to shy away from the topic. Her mom was being brave about it, so Maya could be brave and talk about her grandma too. Even though talking about her was hard, Maya liked to remember how Grandma would paint her nails, or the summer Maya stayed at her grandma’s cottage. Mom interrupted Maya’s thoughts. “Your grandma actually left you something. It’s called an inheritance.” “An inheritance?” Maya asked. “Yes,” Mom replied, picking up a crayon and setting it to paper. “Think if it as a gift from your grandma, but one she gives later, after she’s gone to be with Jesus.” This idea brought a smile to Maya’s lips. She would have something new from her grandma even now. “Come to think of it, you actually have two inheritances!” her mother mused. “One from your grandma, and one from Jesus.” “I get an inheritance from Jesus too?” Maya asked, pausing her drawing. “Yes. Because we have faith in Jesus, He has forgiven our sins, and we are now part of His family and have eternal life with Him. Those things are all part of the inheritance we get from God.” Maya’s family often talked about Jesus, but she had never thought of Him giving her an inheritance before. After a moment, she spoke up. “Even though Grandma is with Jesus now, it makes me feel better to know she left a gift for me. It reminds me that she loves me and that I’ll see her again one day because of the inheritance Jesus has given us both.” –Naomi Zylstra How about you? Have you ever received a gift from someone who passed away? Maybe a loved one left you an item or a message that was special to you. Memories or special items from loved ones can be a great reminder of their love and how they were part of our lives. In the same way, our inheritance in Jesus is a gift that shows how much He loves us and that we are part of His family forever. Today’s key verse: Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God. Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Jesus gives an inheritance
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  House of Mirrors 08.11.2026 4m

  Read: Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8 As Jonathan finished eating a caramel apple at the carnival, his mom glanced at her phone. “We only have time for one more thing, Jonathan. What will it be?” Jonathan’s eyes darted back and forth as he tried to decide what one thing he wanted to do before leaving. Straight ahead he noticed the roller coaster’s lights flashing as it looped around and around. To his right, bright red cars spun in a circle to the beat of blaring music. To his left, he saw a building with a sign that said House of Mirrors. “That’s it, Mom. I want to see that.” “Okay,” said Mom. “House of Mirrors it is.” After buying tickets, Jonathan and his mother walked through a dark, narrow hallway. He stepped into the first small room and ran to the mirror. “Mom, look at me in this mirror. I look taller than a giraffe!” “So do I,” said Mom, and they both laughed. Jonathan moved to the left and pointed. “In this mirror I look like a hippo!” They made their way through all the rooms and hallways, laughing as each mirror changed and distorted the way they looked. “That was fun!” Jonathan said as they left the building. Mom nodded. “You know what those mirrors made me think of?” “They made me think of how glad I am I don’t have to clean them,” Jonathan said. Mom laughed. “That crossed my mind too, but what I was really reminded of is how we can let our circumstances distort our image of God.” Jonathan looked puzzled. “What do you mean?” “Well, when good things happen to us, we may think of God as being loving and kind. But when life is hard or bad things happen, we might wonder if He really cares for us. The thing is, we shouldn’t use the events of our lives as a mirror to see what God is like. The Bible says He never changes. He always loves us—so much that He sent His Son to die for us. No matter what’s going on in our lives or how we feel about it, we can trust that Jesus loves us and is with us. He’s always good, and He’ll never change.” –Annette S. Bury How about you? Does your view of God depend on what’s going on in your life? When things go well, do you see Him as a loving, caring God? And when things are bad or simply don’t go the way you want them to, do you wonder if He loves you after all? He does. He loves you so much that Jesus died to save you and will always be with you. He cares for you all the time, and He will never change. Today’s key verse: I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6 (NLT) Today’s key thought: God doesn’t change
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  Fear the Lord 07.11.2026 4m

  Read: Psalm 96:4-9 Hailey looked up from reading her Bible on the front lawn. “Amare, are you afraid of God?” she asked her brother. “No, I don’t think so,” replied Amare. “Why should I be afraid of Him?” “This verse says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ What does that mean?” Just then their neighbor Hunter came along. “Hey, Amare,” he called, “get your bike and come with me. Drake dared me to climb the fence around the power station’s transformer, so I’m gonna do it.” Amare’s eyes widened. “You’d better not! My dad says it’s dangerous to go near that thing.” “I’m not scared of anything,” Hunter said. “You coming?” Amare shook his head. “No. I don’t want to get zapped. Why do you think there’s a high fence around it with all those ‘No Trespassing’ signs?” Hunter laughed. “To keep out scaredy-cats like you!” He sped off on his bike. Amare watched Hunter leave, then jumped to his feet. “I’m gonna tell Mom.” When Mom heard about Hunter’s plan, she decided to call the police department. Soon they heard sirens heading toward the power station. “Maybe seeing the police will teach Hunter to wise up,” said Hailey. “He said he wasn’t afraid of anything.” “Well, there are some things he should be afraid of,” Mom replied. “Are we supposed to be afraid of God?” Hailey asked. “One of the verses in my Bible reading today talked about fearing Him.” “We fear God in the sense that we respect, honor, and trust Him. We know He has power over everything and that, because He is good, He must punish sin.” “So, fearing God is kind of like how I respect and obey you and Dad because you’re my parents?” asked Amare. Mom nodded. “When we fear God, we see how serious our sin is and how much we need Jesus to save us from it. We see that His way is better than ours and that we need to trust and obey Him. Then, by trusting in Jesus, we can feel His peace, knowing He loves us so much that He took the punishment for our sin and will always be with us.” Hailey grinned. “So if we fear the Lord, we have no reason to be afraid!” –Barbara J. Westberg How about you? Are you afraid of God? If you’re a Christian, you have no reason to be afraid. When the Bible tells us to fear God, it means to respect His authority and the fact that He must punish sin. Even though you’ve sinned against God, Jesus took the punishment for your sin. Fear God by trusting and obeying Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Fear God
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  Princes and Princesses 06.11.2026 4m

  Read: Romans 12:9-21; Galatians 5:22-23 Aria curled up on the couch with her new book. “I’m almost done reading this already,” she told her brother. “It’s about a princess who didn’t know she was a princess!” “How can that be?” Brayden asked. “If I were a prince, I’m pretty sure I’d know it!” “She was kidnapped as a baby,” Aria explained. “But even after her family found her, she didn’t act like a princess. Her parents wanted her to live in their huge palace, but she wanted to stay with people she knew, so she kept on living in an old shack. The king and queen bought her beautiful new clothes, but she didn’t want to wear them. She just kept wearing her old ones, which were ragged and dirty.” “Sounds like an interesting book,” said Mom. “And you know, we sometimes act that way ourselves.” “We do?” asked Brayden. “I don’t wear raggedy old clothes,” said Aria. “Besides, I’m not a princess.” “Actually, in a way, you are,” Mom replied. “And Brayden is a prince.” Aria giggled. “And Dad’s a king, and you’re a queen?” Mom shook her head. “No, I’m a princess too, and Dad is a prince. Because we trust in Jesus, we’ve been adopted into God’s family. We’re His children, and He is a King—not just any king, but the King of kings!” “Oh yeah!” Aria said. “I knew that.” “As children of God, we’re His heirs,” continued Mom. “Jesus shares His blessings with us and promises us eternal life with Him. But sometimes we forget to embrace the new life He’s given us. We act as if we don’t know we’re children of the King and go back to our old sinful ways.” “Well, how is a prince—or princess—supposed to live?” Brayden asked. “The way the King does,” Mom replied. “We need to live in a way that shows others Jesus’s love. But we can’t do it on our own. The Holy Spirit makes us become more like Jesus. He gives us characteristics called the fruit of the Spirit. As His fruit grows in our lives, we act more like the princes and princesses we are.” “I’m glad He helps us live our new lives,” Aria said. “I don’t want to go back to a shack when I can live in the palace of the King of kings!” –Tanya Ferdinandusz How about you? Did you know that, if you trust in Jesus, you’re a child of the King of kings? Does your life reflect this? Or do you keep trying to go back to old sinful habits that no longer fit with who you are? Let go of your raggedy old ways and embrace the new life you have in Jesus. Trust Him to grow the fruit of His Spirit in your life and make you become more like Him. Today’s key verse: We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (ERV) Today’s key thought: Live like a child of the King
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  Good-Looking Lure 05.11.2026 4m

  Read: Luke 4:1-15; John 10:7-10 Riley rummaged through the tackle box until she found the shiny silver lure her dad wanted. “Is this the one?” Dad took it from her hand. “Yep. That’s it.” He grinned. “As soon as Mr. Fish sees this, he’ll gobble it up.” Riley beamed. “Then we’ll catch him and gobble him up, won’t we?” Dad nodded. “We sure will.” After tying the lure to the fishing line, Dad cast it into the lake. “Want to reel this in and see if we can catch a fish?” “Next time,” Riley said. “You catch one first.” “Okay.” Dad turned the reel. “Hey! I think I’ve got a bite!” “All right!” Riley clapped her hands as Dad reeled in a big fish. “Wow! Are we going to eat it tonight?” she asked as Dad reached for the flopping fish. Dad grinned. “You know it!” He threw the line out again. “Do you know why that shiny thing you gave me is called a lure?” Riley shook her head. “Not really.” “To lure something means to attract it, and that thing attracts fish,” Dad explained. “It looks good to them and tricks them into thinking it’s good to eat, but when they grab it, they’re caught.” He handed Riley the fishing rod. “Did you know that Satan often uses lures to trick and trap people?” Riley began reeling in the line. “He does?” “Yep, but not the kind we use,” said Dad. “Satan often tricks people by making sin look attractive. He may get you to think it’s harmless—even fun. But don’t fall for it. Just like a fishing lure, in the end, sin only leads to death. That’s why Jesus had to die for us—to take the punishment for our sin so we could have eternal life with Him instead of being separated from God forever. When you’re tempted to sin, remember that Jesus resisted temptation and conquered Satan and death for you. He saved you and makes you able to see Satan’s lures for what they really are—lies—so you can turn to the true life you have in Him instead.” Riley finished reeling in the line. “No fish this time,” she said. “I guess they resisted the lure.” She cast the line out again. “I’ll trust Jesus to help me do the same thing!” –Richard S. Maffeo How about you? Did you know that Satan uses lures to get people to sin? He’ll do his best to trick you into doing something wrong. Don’t fall for his lies. Even though he may make sin look attractive and fun, it only leads to destruction. If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has saved you from sin and given you eternal life. When you’re tempted to sin, trust Him for the strength to say no. Today’s key verse: Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Resist the lure of sin
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  Not Beyond Repair 04.11.2026 4m

  Read: Psalm 103:2-6, 8-12 Hudson sat down at the kitchen table and watched as his little sister, Violet, tried to staple several pieces of paper she had colored into a book. “When I was your age, I had to push with all my weight on the stapler,” he said. Suddenly, Violet stood, chair scraping, launched her project into the trash, and stormed to her room. “I’m right here if you want”—Violet slammed her door—“help,” Mom said. She rescued the book from the trash and examined it. Violet had managed to staple it three times in the middle, but couldn’t figure out that to flip it open like a book, it had to be stapled on the side. Mom knocked on Violet’s door. “Come in,” Violet said with a huff. “I know a way to fix your book,” Mom said. “Do you want help?” Violet nodded and followed Mom to the kitchen. “I tried, but I can’t do it!” she wailed. Mom walked to a drawer and opened it. “Sometimes parents know things kids don’t,” she said, pulling out a staple remover. “Oh yeah, I’ve seen those before!” Violet said, her face brightening. Mom removed the center staples and helped Violet re-staple the sides of the papers. “It’ll have some small holes in it, but it will still work great.” Violet hugged her book and then hugged Mom. Hudson grinned. “That’s like what God does for us, huh, Mom? He rescues us from the trash and makes us work right again.” Mom smiled and hugged both her kids. “You’re right, Hudson. God can rescue us and repair any mess we’ve made, no matter how big it is. We all do things that are wrong, but God is always there to forgive us and help us when we mess up. Nothing is beyond His repair.” “Does God have a giant staple remover?” Violet asked. Hudson and Mom both laughed. “No, Violet, He has something better,” Mom said. “Jesus died in our place to rescue us from sin and make us new people. When we trust Him as our Savior, He forgives our sins and His Holy Spirit empowers us to live life God’s way.” –Pearl Allard How about you? Do you feel like your life is beyond repair? Maybe you’ve done so many things wrong that you feel like a mess no one can fix. No sin is beyond God’s forgiveness, and no person is beyond His repair. He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue you from sin and death, and He will make you a new person and always be there to help you. Trust in Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. Psalm 103:4 (NLT) Today’s key thought: No life is beyond God’s repair
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  Keep on Swinging 03.11.2026 4m

  Read: Matthew 25:14-30 Every afternoon for an entire week, Sebastian got out pencils, paints, and poster board as soon as he got home from school. “I want to win the art contest at the city library,” he told his dad. “I love to draw things.” On the day of the judging, Sebastian waited anxiously for the judges’ decision. Finally, they nodded in agreement. Then one of them put a third-prize ribbon on one of the posters. It wasn’t Sebastian’s. The second-prize ribbon went on another poster, but it wasn’t his either. Sebastian’s stomach twisted in a knot. Finally, a judge picked up the first-prize ribbon, walked over to a poster, and attached it to a corner. Sebastian blinked to hold back tears as he realized he had not won a prize. “I’m giving up on art,” Sebastian told his dad after the contest. “Really?” Dad rubbed his chin. “Do you know who Babe Ruth is?” “Sure,” said Sebastian. “He was a famous baseball player in the 1920s. He’s probably the most famous player in the history of the sport.” “Right,” said Dad. “He was the first one to hit sixty home runs in a season, but did you know he also struck out a lot of times?” “He did?” “Yep,” said Dad. “What made him a good player was that he kept swinging the bat when others would have gotten discouraged and given up. Persistence is needed in everything—whether it’s swinging bats or painting pictures.” Sebastian sighed. “I guess you’re telling me I shouldn’t give up on art, huh?” Dad nodded. “God gave you your love for drawing and painting so you could use it for Him—not earn recognition for yourself. You may win prizes for your art one day, and that would be great, but that shouldn’t be the reason you do it. Instead of quitting, keep enjoying and developing the ability God has given you and use it to point others to Jesus.” “Well, I did see a flyer at school yesterday that said they need volunteers to help with facepainting at the preschool’s family night next week,” Sebastian said. “Maybe I should take a swing at that.” “That’s a great idea,” said Dad. He grinned at Sebastian. “Batter up!” –Carolyn E. Yost How about you? Are you patiently developing the talents God has given you? It can be frustrating at times, and there may be some things He only wants you to do for a while and then move on. But don’t give up something you enjoy just because you’re not getting prizes or recognition. God gave you that talent so you could use it to help others and show them His love. Trust Him to help you keep on swinging! Today’s key thought: Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Matthew 25:21 (NIV) Today’s key verse: Patiently develop talents
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  Helping Gramps 02.11.2026 4m

  Read: Romans 12:4-8; 1 Timothy 4:12 “Tobias, Gramps just called. He needs you to help him on his computer this afternoon,” Mom called from the kitchen. Tobias giggled. “Always glad to help Gramps.” After school Tobias walked to his grandpa’s house. “Thanks for coming over,” Gramps said. “I just get so confused when I’m trying to order anything online, and you always seem to know exactly what you’re doing.” Gramps sighed. “All this computer stuff is just too hard for an old guy like me to learn.” “No, it’s not, Gramps. I’ll help you!” Tobias showed Gramps how to order the item he needed. “Thanks for your help,” Gramps said as he clicked the order button. “Are you still free to go fishing this weekend?” Tobias nodded eagerly. “I can’t wait!” On Saturday morning, Tobias climbed into the johnboat with Gramps. “I’m going to show you how to use the trolling motor today,” Gramps told him. “I don’t know, Gramps. Do you think I can do it?” “Sure you can!” Gramps carefully explained how to start and maneuver the trolling motor, then turned it over to Tobias. At first Tobias had a little trouble getting the motor started. Then it took a little time to get used to steering it. But by the end of the day, he could steer the boat with no trouble. “Thanks for sticking it out with me today until I got the hang of it. It was a lot of fun!” “Next time you can be the captain,” Gramps said as he grabbed the cooler out of the boat. “Now, let’s get these fish cleaned.” As they cleaned the fish, Gramps said, “You know, you and I helped each other learn something new this week. It reminds me of how Christians are supposed to help each other.” Tobias looked confused. “How?” “Everyone who trusts in Jesus is part of His church, which the Bible calls the body of Christ. We’re all different—some people are old like me, some are young like you, but we can all learn from each other and encourage one another in our faith.” Gramps smiled at Tobias. “You’re never too young to help others know more about Jesus.” Tobias smiled back. “Or too old to learn something new about Him!” –Lisa Fuller How about you? Do you ever think you’re too young to help someone older than you? You’re not. We all learn and experience different things in life, which means any of us can use what we’ve learned to help someone else, no matter how old we are. That’s especially true in the body of Christ. Never be afraid to share what you’ve learned in your walk with Jesus. Your words might be just the encouragement someone needs to hear! Today’s key verse: In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Help others learn about Jesus
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  More Than Paint 01.11.2026 4m

  Read: Matthew 23:25-28 Thomas walked into the bathroom and was surprised to see his dad’s legs sticking out from under the sink. “Dad? Why are you hanging out in the cupboard?” “Well, I saw a water stain on the ceiling downstairs,” his dad’s voice echoed from inside the cabinet. “Water can really damage the inside of a house, so I did a little detective work. Found out this sink is leaking water all the way downstairs.” “But Dad, it’s Saturday. Don’t you just want to relax? You could just paint over the stain.” Through the sink drain, Thomas heard a laugh. “Some people do. But that would just cover up the damage. The sink would keep leaking, and our house would rot from the inside out. I’d have to spend a lot more than a Saturday—and a lot more than a few bucks on new fittings—if I ignored this leak.” His head emerged from the cabinet. “You know, I had a situation like this with our pastor this week.” Thomas’s eyebrows went up. “Pastor John has a leak?” Now they both laughed. “No, I think he’s fine,” Dad said. “But at church this week, I wanted to look like a good guy. When I was talking to Pastor John, I wanted to tell him about the work we’ve been doing with refugees—not to honor Jesus, but to honor myself. Then I realized I was focusing on outward appearances, just like someone who paints over a water stain. I was more concerned about how others saw me than what Jesus was doing through me.” “Isn’t that like those guys in the Bible?” asked Thomas. “The…pair-of-fleas, or something like that?” Dad was tucked in the cabinet again, and his belly quivered with laughter. “You crack me up! Yep, like the Pharisees. Jesus said they were like a nice tombstone—painted on the outside, but inside, full of rotting bones.” Thomas wrinkled his nose. “Gross!” “Exactly. If we do things to make ourselves look good but they don’t come from our hearts, God can see the rottenness inside. That’s why we need Jesus to fix our hearts. When we admit our pride and selfishness to Him, He removes the rottenness of our sin so we can show His goodness and love to others from the inside out.” –Janel Breitenstein How about you? Is there a leak in your heart that needs to be fixed? Are you trying to cover the stain by looking good on the outside? Even if you can make yourself look good to other people, God sees what’s inside. Don’t try to cover up sin in your heart—you need Jesus to fix it. Confess your sin to Him, and He will remove it and help you be kind and loving inside and out. Today’s key verse: God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (ERV) Today’s key thought: Do good from the inside out
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  Who’s Afraid of a Pink Jellybean? 31.10.2026 4m

  Read: Psalms 27:1-6; 34:4; Isaiah 21:4; John 14:27 Madison giggled. She couldn’t help it. Her cousins Benjamin and Alex were visiting, and she was too excited to sleep. “Shhh,” Benjamin whispered from his pallet of blankets on the living room floor. Madison’s brother Andrew came bounding into the room wearing a blanket around his shoulders like a superhero cape. “What have I missed?” he asked loudly. “Shhhhhhh!” said all the cousins. Holding a flashlight up to his face, Benjamin began. “In a dark, dark galaxy, there was a dark, dark world. In the dark, dark world was a dark, dark mountain. On this dark, dark mountain was a dark, dark house. In this dark, dark house was a dark, dark closet. And in the dark, dark closet”—he paused dramatically—“was a pink jellybean!” The cousins burst out laughing. “See? That wasn’t scary,” Benjamin said as he turned off the flashlight. Andrew lay down and stared at the ceiling. “I wonder if I wouldn’t have been so scared if I knew the ending was good.” “Yeah,” said Madison. “I was fine once we got to the pink jellybean, but the not-knowing was a little freaky.” Alex grinned. “Kind of like a Bible verse I read once that said something like, ‘My mind reels and horror overwhelms me.’” Benjamin playfully punched Alex’s arm. “That is not a comforting thought.” Madison sat up. “I’ll be right back.” She ran to the kitchen and returned with a magnet. “Look!” “What does it say?” asked Andrew. “Shine your flashlight on it, Benjamin.” Alex read, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” “Mom says she looks at it whenever she feels afraid of the unknown,” Madison told her cousins. “She says it reminds her that she has everything she needs because Jesus died to take the punishment for her sin. He saved her and is always with her, so why should she be scared?” Andrew yawned. “I like that Bible verse much better than ‘My mind reels and horror overwhelms me’!” “Me too,” said Benjamin, turning off the flashlight. “’Night, everyone.” The cousins were almost asleep. Then, from across the room, Alex called out, “Is anybody else hungry for pink jellybeans?” –Kelly Hope How about you? Is there something you’re afraid of? Jesus promises that He will always be with those who trust in Him, so we don’t have to be afraid. Memorize Psalm 27:1. The next time you start to feel scared, say that Bible verse out loud. Remember that you don’t have to be afraid because Jesus saved you and will always help you. Today’s key verse: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Don’t be afraid
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  Just One Life 30.10.2026 4m

  Read: Matthew 16:24-27; Ephesians 2:8-10 “Look, Dad! Miss Eva gave me some money for helping with her trash and recycling bins this week!” Danner exclaimed, showing his father several crisp green bills as he walked through the back door. “That’s great. I know you helped without expecting anything in return, but it’s kind of her to reward you,” Dad answered. “Why don’t you put these dishes away, and then you can join me at the grocery store. Our home group from church is coming over, and we need to buy some salad ingredients for dinner.” “Okay. Maybe I can buy something with this money at the store.” Danner placed the clean dishes in kitchen cabinets and then shouted, “Meet you in the car, Dad!” He considered buying his favorite candy bar with the cash from Miss Eva. He might have enough money for two. Later, Danner and his dad waited in line to purchase their food. Danner had helped select carrots and cucumbers for that night’s salad. Then he found the chocolate candy he wanted. But as they stood in line, Danner shifted from foot to foot. Did he really want to spend his money on the candy bar? He had enough for just one. And once he spent the money, he knew it would be gone. Danner quickly returned the candy to its shelf as the cashier greeted them. “Did you change your mind?” Dad asked as they loaded grocery bags into the van. “I’m not sure I want to spend my money on candy, Dad,” Danner replied. Dad nodded. “I understand. That money’s kind of like life.” “How?” Danner asked. “When we put our faith in Jesus and trust Him to forgive our sins, we start a new life as God’s children. Since God is our Father, we want to live those new lives for Him, making the most of every day we have,” Dad explained. “Instead of focusing on ourselves and the things in this world that won’t last, God helps us love others and point them to Jesus.” “And we get just one life, right, Dad?” Danner patted his pocket where he’d stuffed the dollar bills from Miss Eva. “I’m going to make my life count for Jesus. And I’m going to think about how to make these dollars count too.” –Allison Wilson Lee How about you? Have you ever received money and wondered how to spend it? Having a limited amount of something important means we want to use it wisely and not waste it. God wants the same thing for our lives. To live wisely, we need to live for Jesus instead of ourselves. As we grow in our relationship with Him, He helps us make wise choices and share His love with others. Today’s key verse: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Live your one life for Jesus
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  Tools for Tough Times 29.10.2026 4m

  Read: Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:31-32 Kevin leaned against the garage doorframe and watched his dad tip the lawn mower onto its side. “What are you doing?” he asked. Dad knelt beside the mower. “I need to sharpen the blade. But first, I’ve got to get it off.” He glanced up and noticed the frown on Kevin’s face. “What’s wrong? I thought you were playing at the neighbor’s house.” Kevin kicked at the concrete. “Steven cheated at dodgeball. So, I left.” Dad grabbed a screwdriver from his toolbox and scraped grass off the mower. “You know, getting along with people is a bit like using tools.” Kevin raised an eyebrow. “How’s that?” Dad rummaged through his toolbox and pulled out a utility knife. “Well, sometimes people’s words are sharp, like this knife.” He placed it back down and grabbed a file. “Other times, their actions rub us the wrong way.” He tapped the hammer. “And sometimes they pound away at our feelings.” Kevin crossed his arms. “Tools can do a lot of damage.” “They can,” Dad said, holding up a piece of sandpaper. “But they can also repair things—if we use the right ones. Take this sandpaper. It might seem rough, but it can smooth out a lot of rough edges. Same with forgiveness.” Dad glanced at the wrenches on top of his workbench. “Can you grab the 5/8 for me?” Kevin walked over and handed him the wrench. Dad jiggled it onto the mower bolt, then gave it a hard twist. With a squeak, the bolt loosened, and the blade came off. “See? The right tool makes all the difference.” Dad stood up and placed the mower blade on his workbench. “Fixing relationships is no different. There’s a verse in Proverbs that says a soft answer turns away wrath. If you talk to Steven about what he did and respond to him with kindness instead of holding a grudge, you might be able to smooth things over. Remember that Jesus always forgives us for the wrong things we do because He died for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him. And He gives us the tools we need to be kind and forgiving to others.” Kevin thought for a moment, then turned to go. “Hey, where are you going?” Dad asked. Kevin gave a little shrug, then smiled. “I guess it’s time to put God’s tools to work.” –Mark Wainwright How about you? Have you ever tried to fix something without the right tool? It’s tough, isn’t it? The same goes for friendships. When someone hurts you, holding a grudge doesn’t help. Instead, trust God to help you forgive and show kindness. It’s not easy, but He’ll give you the tools you need to respond in a loving way and make your friendship strong again. Today’s key verse: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Fix friendships with forgiveness
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  Seasons of Change 28.10.2026 4m

  Read: Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 29:11-13 Julia slammed the door to her room. It had been a month since her family had moved away from Texas. Her dad had gotten a better job in Tennessee. Life in Texas had been hard, but at least she’d had her friends and family. After crying for a while, Julia heard her door creak open. “Julia, what’s wrong?” Mom asked. “I want to go back to Texas,” Julia said. “Why did we have to leave everyone behind?” Mom walked into the room and sat down on the bed. “I know that moving was a big change for you.” She hugged Julia. “But things change sometimes.” Julia rubbed her eyes. “But I don’t want things to change!” Mom was quiet for a minute. “Do you see those orange maple leaves on the trees outside?” she asked as she pointed to the window in Julia’s room. “Did they have to change to turn orange?” Julia rolled her eyes. “Of course, Mom. They were green when we moved here, and now they’re orange because the weather is getting colder. I learned about it in school. The tree is getting ready to sleep for the winter and doesn’t need the green leaves anymore.” Mom nodded. “You’re right. The tree will grow new leaves in the spring. Change is hard, but it’s needed for growth. Just like those pretty leaves, lots of things change in the world. Sometimes God allows seasons of change in our lives to help us learn to trust Him more and grow in our faith. When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, God started something new in your life, and He is continuing to change you and help you become more like Jesus.” Julia looked at the trees outside the window. “Do you think God can help me even though I miss Texas?” she asked. “Of course!” Mom smiled. “The Bible talks about how God’s way is always best—He knows what He’s doing when things change in our lives and promises to help us through them. Why don’t we pray right now and ask God to help us trust Him and remember He’s with us?” Julia smiled. “Great idea, Mom.” –Brooke Morris How about you? Has something big happened to you? Maybe you had to move to a new place, or you had to change schools and leave your friends behind. Change is hard, and you might feel upset about it. Remember that God has a reason for the change in your life. He will be with you through the hard times, and you can trust Him to use the changes in your life to help you grow to be more like Jesus. Today’s key verse: I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again. Philippians 1:6 (ERV) Today’s key thought: Trust God even through change
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  Do You Know Him? (Part 2) 27.10.2026 4m

  Read: Matthew 7:21-23; Philippians 3:8-10 Wyatt and Nicholas, along with their families, joined thousands of other fans in the bleachers surrounding the basketball court. They cheered loudly for their team—and jumped up and down whenever their favorite player, Anthony Smith, dunked the ball. When the score was tied and there were only a few seconds left in the game, Anthony got the ball again. “Come on, Anthony!” Nicholas shouted. “You can do it!” They watched in awe as the ball sailed across the court and into the basket just as the buzzer sounded. “He did it!” Wyatt yelled, jumping out of his seat. “They won!” Once the cheering had stopped and the crowd began to leave, Wyatt turned to Nicholas. “Let’s go to the locker room. I can’t wait to meet Anthony!” “I’m sure they don’t let just anybody into the locker room,” Wyatt’s mom said. “No, but Nicholas knows Anthony. He used to live in Anthony’s hometown. Come on, Nicholas! You can get us in, right?” “He’ll probably be too busy to talk to us now,” Nicholas said, averting his eyes to avoid the look his mother was giving him. “Then can you take me to meet him later?” Wyatt asked. “I’m sorry, Wyatt, but I don’t think Nicholas will be able to do that,” Nicholas’s mother said as she glared at her son. Suddenly, Wyatt realized Nicholas didn’t really know Anthony Smith at all. At church the next day, Wyatt told his teacher about the game. “Nicholas said he knew Anthony Smith, but he really didn’t. I can’t believe he’d lie to me like that!” “He did lie to you, and that was wrong,” said Mr. Jones. “But I wonder if he also lied to himself. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking we know someone when we really only know about them. For example, we can say we know Jesus because we’ve heard about Him in church. Maybe we can even quote verses about Him from the Bible. But if we’ve never admitted that we need Him to save us from sin and trusted Him as our Savior, we don’t know Him personally—we only know about Him.” “I’ve trusted Jesus to forgive my sins, so that means I really know Him,” said Wyatt. He sighed. “And I know He’ll help me forgive Nicholas for lying to me.” –Jan L. Hansen How about you? Do you know Jesus as your friend and Savior? Or is He someone you only know about? He wants to be your very best friend and be with you every day of your life. You can know Him personally by trusting Him as your Savior. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Philippians 3:10 (NLT) Today’s key thought: You can know Jesus personally
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  Do You Know Him? (Part 1) 26.10.2026 4m

  Read: John 1:35-42 “Hey, Nicholas, wait up!” Wyatt called as he ran to catch up with a new boy in his class. “Didn’t you just move here from Chelton?” “Yeah,” said Nicholas. “Got here last week.” Wyatt beamed. “Isn’t that the hometown of Anthony Smith, the basketball player? Do you know him?” “Oh yeah, I know Anthony,” Nicholas said, happy to meet someone who was interested in basketball. “Chelton is a small town, so everybody knows everybody. I’ve seen Anthony play lots of times, and he even helped coach my team at basketball camp when he was in high school. He taught me everything I know about basketball.” Wyatt and Nicholas became close friends. If they weren’t playing ball, they were talking about it and hoping they could see Anthony Smith play. Nicholas always spoke proudly of his friendship with the famous basketball player. “My mom says I listen to him better than I do to her,” he said with a grin. Soon the boys’ parents made plans to see Anthony Smith play. Their families would sit together in the bleachers close to the court. Everyone was looking forward to the big day. On the Sunday before the game, Wyatt could hardly contain himself as he shared the news with his class at church. “Guess what! I’m going to meet Anthony Smith!” “The basketball player?” asked his teacher, Mr. Jones. “Yes! My friend Nicholas knows him,” said Wyatt. “We have tickets to see him play this week!” “No way!” said one of the boys. Wyatt nodded. “Nicholas talks about Anthony all the time. Since he knows him, I’ll get to meet him after the game!” “That’s great, Wyatt!” said Mr. Jones. “And that’s also a good intro for what we’re going to talk about in class today—the importance of telling others about Jesus. Your friend Nicholas is a good example of someone who is eager to talk about an important person he knows. Are we just as eager to tell people that we know Jesus? He’s the Creator of the universe who became human and died for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him. When we share how exciting it is to know Jesus, we give others an opportunity to know Him too.” –Jan L. Hansen How about you? Are you eager to tell your friends about important people you know? What about Jesus—do you tell others you know Him? Today’s Bible reading tells how Andrew brought his own brother to meet Jesus. You can introduce a brother, sister, or friend to Jesus too! Tell them how wonderful it is to know Him personally and that they can know Him too. Today’s key verse: The believers…preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Acts 8:4 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Share Jesus with others
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  Battling Bad Thoughts 25.10.2026 4m

  Read: Philippians 4:6-8; James 5:13-16 “Mom! Amara’s in her closet crying,” called out Sadie. “She was fussing all the way home from school too!” Sadie and Amara shared a bedroom, and Amara often hid in her side of the closet when she was upset or wanted to be alone. Pulling back a few dresses, Mom peered into the closet. Tears were streaming down Amara’s face, and her arms were wrapped around her bent knees. Mom gently touched Amara’s arm. “Hey, sweetie, what’s the matter?” Through her tears, Amara muttered, “A kid at school cussed at another kid. The bad words keep coming into my head.” Amara wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Why doesn’t it go away?” Mom crawled into the closet and held Amara. “Oh, Amara, sometimes that happens to us. When it does, we need to remember that we belong to Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross covers all our bad thoughts—those we think on purpose and those we don’t. Let’s ask Him to help you with this.” Mom closed her eyes and held Amara’s hands. “Dear Jesus, please help Amara know You love her and that You can help stop these bad words in her mind. Your Word tells us to share our problems with others and pray. Please help her as she struggles with these bad thoughts. Thank you, Lord. Amen.” Mom gave Amara a hug. “You know, Amara, another thing that can help with upsetting thoughts is the Bible. There’s a verse in Philippians that tells us to think about good things, and that can help bad thoughts go away. When we read and memorize God’s Word, it helps us focus on Jesus, who promises to be with us in our struggles and give us grace.” Mom picked up Amara’s teddy bear and wiggled it. She gave the bear a silly voice: “Amara, do you want to go find Sadie and have some ice cream with me?” Amara smiled and nodded. The rest of the day, Amara was her happy self, singing and playing with Sadie. During bedtime prayers, Amara said, “Jesus, thank You for loving me and helping me think about good things.” –Carrie Hetzel How about you? Did you know you can talk to God about anything? No matter what you’re struggling with, He wants to hear about it and help you. Sometimes our thoughts can be troubling and scary, and it can be helpful to tell a doctor or trusted adult about how we’re feeling too. God wants us to share our struggles with one another so we can pray and point each other to the truth and love of Jesus. Let His promises in the Bible remind you that He’s with you and offers you grace in every situation. Today’s key verse: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Seek help with struggles
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  Never Abandoned 24.10.2026 4m

  Read: Hebrews 13:5-6 Daniel tightened his helmet and straddled his all-terrain vehicle. “The gas tanks are full,” his older brother Tim shouted over the engine roar. “Let’s tear up the trails.” Daniel kick-started his engine and revved the motor. “Oh yeah. I have a need for speed.” “Follow me,” Tim called. He hit the gas, spinning the tires and shooting dirt and gravel everywhere. They steered their ATVs onto the old freight train route, which had long been abandoned. The wood ties and steel rails had been removed years ago, leaving miles of continuous trails. After several miles, they entered a secluded clearing with a dozen old abandoned train cabooses nearly hidden from view. They both skidded to a stop, cut their engines, and pulled off their helmets. “It looks like a caboose graveyard,” Daniel said. Tim nodded. “Let’s explore.” They set their helmets on the ATVs and cautiously walked toward the cabooses. “You think there’s anything—or anyone—living inside them?” Daniel asked. “We’ll know in a minute,” Tim said. “The first caboose has a broken door. Let’s go inside.” Tim pushed the door. It creaked as it opened, sounding like a haunted house. “This is so cool,” he said. They checked each caboose. They were all identical, with fading paint, cracked windows, and sagging doors. Daniel scratched his head. “Why would anyone abandon them?” Tim picked up a piece of rotting wood. “Somebody felt they weren’t important anymore.” “I’m glad that Jesus doesn’t feel that way about us,” said Daniel. Tim tossed the wood into the tall grass. “The Bible says Jesus will never abandon us.” Daniel smiled. “No matter what trail of life we’re on!” “That’s right,” Tim said. “He loved us enough to die on the cross for our sins. We’re always important to Him.” Daniel looked at the darkening sky. “We’d better head back. But I hate to just leave these things. I wonder if I can adopt a caboose.” Tim laughed. “Have fun getting it home!” –Matt Shoemaker How about you? Have you ever experienced the feeling of being abandoned? People can do hurtful things that make us feel like we’re not important, but Jesus promises never to abandon those who trust in Him. He died for you and rose from the dead so you could have life with Him forever! No matter where you go or what you do, He promises to always be with you. You are important to Him. Today’s key verse: Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:10 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Jesus will never abandon us
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  Source of Help 23.10.2026 4m

  Read: Psalm 121; Isaiah 41:10 “Wow, Dad! Did you see those fish?” Maya’s eyes sparkled as she lifted her face out of the water and adjusted her snorkeling mask. “I sure did!” Dad said. “Those little blue ones look like some they have in aquariums at the pet store.” “And I almost touched one of those black-and-yellow-striped ones!” Maya was bubbling with excitement. Dad looked at the setting sun. “Well, it’s getting late. We’d better start swimming back to shore. Are you ready?” “So soon? Well, okay. Bet I can beat you back!” They started toward shore, but it was farther away than Maya had realized. “Dad, can we rest a minute?” she called out after a while. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Dad said as he swam up beside her. “If we do, this current may take us too far off shore. Here—” Dad stretched out his hand. “I’ll pull you along.” Soon they reached shore, tired but safe. When they got home, Maya told her mother about their afternoon. “It’s a good thing Dad was there to tow me in to shore,” she said. “I was really tired!” Mom smiled. “You know, I needed a little towing myself this afternoon.” Maya looked at her in surprise. “You did?” Mom nodded. “I was preparing the lesson I have to teach at church this week, and I felt like quitting. God used a phone call from a friend and some verses I read in the Bible to encourage me. It’s like I was towed back to a better attitude.” “Sometimes Christians can get a little weary of doing things we know are right,” said Dad. “There are times when we need encouragement and help to move us along.” “I know where I’d go for encouragement and help,” said Maya. “You and Mom!” Dad chuckled. “Good. We’ll help as much as we can. God often uses other Christians to help us when we struggle against the current of temptation or difficult circumstances. But there’s an even better source of help we can run to—Jesus Himself. He saved us, and we need to learn to depend on Him in every circumstance. He’s always there to encourage us and pull us along.” –Richard S. Maffeo How about you? Do you sometimes get discouraged in living the Christian life? Do you struggle with temptation or get made fun of for doing what’s right? When you need help and encouragement, turn to Jesus. He may use a Bible verse or another Christian to encourage you. Whenever you’re feeling down, trust Him to be with you and give you the help you need. Today’s key verse: I [God] am with you…I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Look to Jesus for help
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  Volcanic Anger 22.10.2026 4m

  Read: Ephesians 4:26-32 The baseball blasted off Logan’s bat like a rocket. “Nice shot,” Jayden said. The ball crashed through the upstairs window of the Cooleys’ house. Mrs. Cooley screamed, and a man’s shouts filled the air. Logan dropped his bat. “We’re dead. Let’s get out of here.” Jayden was already tightening his shoe laces. “If we’re gonna run, it’s now or never.” Mr. Cooley appeared from inside the broken window. “Stay right there, Jayden!” he yelled. “I’m coming down. You’re gonna pay for this!” Jayden froze. “How does he know my name?” he asked Logan. The boys moved closer together as Mr. Cooley stepped into the yard and stomped toward them. “Guess you won’t have to wash the window today, dear,” Mrs. Cooley called from inside. Mr. Cooley stopped—and smiled. “She’s been wanting me to clean that thing all day, but I didn’t want to pull out the ladder. You two may have done me a favor.” Logan looked at Mr. Cooley nervously. “We’ll pay for the damages,” he said. Mr. Cooley sighed. “I really erupted like Mount St. Helens, didn’t I?” Jayden scratched his head. “Who’s St. Helen? Your wife?” Mr. Cooley laughed. “No. Not my wife. Mount St. Helens is a volcano in Washington State that blew it’s top in 1980. It was one of the largest natural disasters in US history.” He shook his head. “Sorry, boys. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. It was wrong.” “You’re saying sorry—to us?” Jayden asked. “But we busted your window!” “And I overreacted,” said Mr. Cooley. “The Bible has a lot to say about anger. While it’s okay to feel angry, we shouldn’t let our anger cause us to sin and keep us from showing others God’s love.” He smiled at the boys. “It’s clear I’m still learning lessons about controlling my anger.” Jayden smiled back. “That’s okay.” “And you boys need to learn some lessons too,” Mr. Cooley said. “Like not to play baseball too close to houses.” Mr. Cooley held up the ball and pointed to Jayden’s name written on it. “And to never write your name on a ball if you’re going to send it through a window.” He winked. “There are too many hotheads living around here!” –Matt Shoemaker How about you? Do you have trouble controlling your anger? Does your temper erupt like a volcano? It’s natural to get angry, but letting anger lead to hurtful and unkind words does a lot of damage and keeps you from showing others God’s love. When you feel like you’re about to blow your top, stop and remember how much Jesus loves you. Then trust Him to help you love others the way He does. Today’s key verse: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Control anger