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

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Religion & Spirituality Podcas

Keys for Kids is a daily storytelling show based on the Keys for Kids children's devotional. Hosted by Zach, this podcast combines Scripture readings with captivating stories that illustrate essential Biblical principles. With Zach's creative voices bringing characters to life, listeners embark on a faith-filled journey. Tune in to discover the keys to growing in faith and understanding God's love. Produced by Keys for Kids Ministries, this podcast is a treasure trove to help young hearts grow closer to God.

Location:

Pasco, WA

Description:

Keys for Kids is a daily storytelling show based on the Keys for Kids children's devotional. Hosted by Zach, this podcast combines Scripture readings with captivating stories that illustrate essential Biblical principles. With Zach's creative voices bringing characters to life, listeners embark on a faith-filled journey. Tune in to discover the keys to growing in faith and understanding God's love. Produced by Keys for Kids Ministries, this podcast is a treasure trove to help young hearts grow closer to God.

Language:

English

Contact:

Keys for Kids Ministries 2060 43rd St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (616) 647-4500


Episodes

A Real Offering

3/14/2024
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 "Mom, can I have some money to put in the collection plate?" asked Gunnar. "Didn't you bring your own offering?" Mom asked. Gunnar shook his head. Mom frowned, but she reached into her wallet and took out some money. "Just this once," she said as she handed it to Gunnar. That afternoon, Gunnar had a suggestion for his mother. "My birthday is next week, you know. If you can't think of anything to get me, I have some ideas." Mom looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, actually, when Grandpa and Grandma were here last week, they left a birthday present for you. Maybe I'll just give you that." She smiled brightly at Gunnar. "Mom! I'm serious. I'm talking about what you might get for me, not what they're giving me. Like I said, I have some ideas." "What's wrong with my idea?" asked Mom, acting surprised. "I'm sure the package they left has something really nice in it." Gunnar frowned. "You're just kidding, right? I mean, it won't really be from you if you give me something they bought me." "You're absolutely right, Gunnar," said Mom. "I'm not truly giving if I give you something that doesn't belong to me--something I didn't put any thought or effort or money toward. You wouldn't be happy about that, would you?" Gunnar shook his head. "But at church this morning, you were okay with giving God a gift that wasn't really from you," Mom pointed out. "But you used to always give me money for church!" said Gunnar. "When you were too young to have your own money, I gave you some so you'd get in the habit of giving to God. Now that you have an allowance, you should give some of your own money. Then you'll be giving a real offering instead of simply dropping money into the collection plate, right?" Gunnar sighed. "Yeah, I guess so." "The Bible tells us to give to God with a cheerful heart out of love and gratitude for all He's done for us," said Mom. "When we give gifts to God that cost us something, it reminds us of His gift to us that cost Him everything--His Son, Jesus." Gunnar thought about it and nodded. "Next time, I'll bring my own offering." –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Do you put money in the offering plate at church? When we give back to God to thank Him for everything He's done for us and acknowledge that all we have comes from Him, we're giving with a cheerful heart. Perhaps you don't have any money of your own yet, but when you do, offer some of it back to Him out of gratitude for all He's given you. Today's Key Verse: Let each one give…not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 9:7) Today's Key Thought: Give to God

Duration:00:04:29

Always Light

3/13/2024
Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-5 "Tre, what are you doing out here?" Granddad asked. Tre sat cross-legged on the balcony of his grandparents' apartment. Honking car horns and screeching city buses filled the night air. Tre scrunched his knees to his chest. "Trying not to think about school," he said, looking down. "Aw, Tre, I know it's been hard." Granddad put his hands on Tre's shoulders and sat down with him. "Hey, look at that!" Granddad pointed. "Tre, what do you see?" "Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign?" The neon sign across the street gave a red tint to Tre's face. Granddad chuckled. "Well, yes, that's good too. Real good. But look up even higher." Granddad pointed up into the dark sky. Tre stretched his neck up and gave a half smile when he saw the moon, then looked back down. "You see it, Tre?" "Yeah." Tre twirled his untied shoelace around his finger. Earlier that day, some kids at school had made fun of him for the shoes he wore. Between struggling with math and now kids making fun of him, he didn't even want to think about school. But at the same time, school was all he could think about. He was worried about what would happen the next day and every day after that. Tre looked up again. The moon was so big and so radiant that not even the city lights or Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign could drown out its glow. The moonlight brightened his face. "Tre, who made that moon?" "God." Tre smiled. "That's right, and that moon is always there, even if there are clouds or blinding fried chicken signs making it harder for us to see it." Granddad looked up at the moon. "Just like that moon, God is always there too. Even if it's hard to see Him through the stuff you face at school sometimes, Jesus is still there with you, like a light that never goes out. He saved you from the darkness of sin, and He promises to be with you through all the tough stuff." Tre smiled, still looking up at the moon. "So, God's like a light?" Granddad nodded. "A light as bright as Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign?" asked Tre. Granddad winked. "Even brighter." –Amanda Gott How About You? What is a tough situation you've faced at school or home? Maybe math or reading or doing homework is hard sometimes. Maybe classmates or siblings have said something hurtful. Whatever your circumstances, God is with you, like a light that never goes out. Jesus promises to always be with those who trust in Him through all life's troubles. Even if it's hard to see Him, He is there--just like the bright moon in the sky. Today's Key Verse: The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV) (Psalm 27:1 ) Today's Key Thought: God is always there with you

Duration:00:04:29

Soaring Eagle

3/12/2024
Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:28-31 Julie loved watching the birds with her grannie. There were so many colorful species to see, and her grannie knew the names of them all. "It would be fun to fly," Julie said as she watched a bright red cardinal take off from the bird feeder. "Can you imagine soaring into the sky like a bird?" Grannie smiled. "It would be fun just to see what it's like, wouldn't it?" "I wonder why God made birds fly and we just have to be boring and walk." Grannie chuckled. "He must have His reasons." Julie watched another bird take off and fly through the sky, and she put her arms out like wings. "You know, the Bible does mention something about us flying," Grannie said. Julie glanced at her. "It does?" "In Isaiah, it says that those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings as if they were eagles," Grannie said. Julie's eyes widened. "Does it really?" "Yes." Grannie smiled. "But I don't think it's meant to be taken literally--it's not saying we'll physically fly. I think it means that when we put our trust in God, it will feel like we're flying because of the strength, hope, and joy He gives us." Julie turned toward the window again as a beautiful orange oriole landed on the feeder. She would love to fly like a bird, but she was glad God had made her a human. A few days later, Julie and Grannie took a walk to look for birds. They saw many beautiful species fly about before her grannie pointed excitedly toward the sky. "Look, an eagle!" Grannie said. Julie's eyes widened as she watched the huge bird soar gracefully through the sky. "Wow. That's what God can help us be like?" Grannie nodded. "Because we trust in Jesus, we can soar like that strong eagle. Jesus gives us strength to face life's difficulties, and one day, when He returns, He will give us new bodies that will never grow tired or weary." "Wow," Julie said again. It was fun to see how much larger and more majestic the eagle looked than the other birds, and it was amazing to know that God could make her soar just like it. –Bethany Acker How About You? Have you ever seen an eagle fly? The Bible says those who trust in the Lord are like powerful eagles that can fly through the air without growing weary. Whenever we feel tired or weak, we can look to Jesus for strength and remember the hope of eternal life we have in Him. Trust Him to give you strength, hope, and joy so that you can soar like an eagle. Today's Key Verse: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31) Today's Key Thought: God makes you soar

Duration:00:04:29

Wear Your Shoes

3/11/2024
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-17 Lilly and her family lived in Florida out in the country. Her neighbors were horses on one side and cows on the other. Lilly loved it, but her older sister--not so much. Cora preferred the big city nearby. Lilly spent most of her time outdoors. She loved to run around their farm and play in the creek on their property. But one thing she didn't love doing was wearing shoes. It was almost always hot outside, so Lilly really didn't see the need. "Ouch!" Lilly cried out one day. She had stepped on a small cactus again, and a thorn was poking out of her foot. Lilly sat on the ground and carefully pulled it out. After playing in the creek most of the afternoon, she took off back toward the house. Ouch again! This time she stepped on some sand spurs. "Did you have fun down at the creek today?" Mom asked when Lilly got home. "I don't know how you can stand being outside in the heat, playing with who knows what," Cora interrupted. "It's fun. Today I caught some crawdads, minnows, and baby frogs. But I also caught a cactus thorn and some sand spurs in my feet." "I hope you left all your creatures at the creek," Cora said. "I did, and I left the thorn and sand spurs too." "That's why I always tell you to wear your shoes," said Mom. "It helps keep your feet protected." After dinner that evening, Mom said, "Our conversation about wearing shoes made me think of some verses I'd like to read to you." Mom opened her Bible and read some verses from Ephesians that talked about putting on the armor of God. "These verses remind us that the truth and promises of God offer us spiritual protection," said Mom. "When we read the Bible and learn about what it says in church, we are filling our hearts and minds with God's truth. Then when Satan or the world try to throw their lies at us, we are better prepared to fight them off. We can stand firm in the truth that we belong to Jesus and that He is more powerful than evil." Cora nodded thoughtfully. "I understand those verses better now." "Me too." Lilly giggled. "And I understand why you tell me to wear my shoes!" –Lisa Fuller How About You? Did you know there is a spiritual battle going on for your heart and mind? This is why the Bible tells us to prepare ourselves by putting on the armor of God. Spend time with Jesus each day praying and reading His Word and spend time with other Christians learning about His truth and promises in the Bible. Fill your heart and mind with God's truths so that you are better prepared to resist Satan's lies. Today's Key Verse: Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (NLT) (Ephesians 6:11) Today's Key Thought: Stand firm in God's truth

Duration:00:04:29

An Unfair Reward

3/10/2024
Bible Reading: Matthew 20:1-15; Ephesians 2:8-9 Jonathan and Maeve ran next door to show their report cards to their grandma. "Good job!" she exclaimed and gave them each a candy bar. "Grandma gave Maeve the same thing she gave me," Jonathan complained to his mom when he and his sister returned home. "That's not fair! I got better grades than she did, so I should have gotten more." "That decision was up to Grandma," replied Mom. "Maybe the reward is the same because she loves you both and knows you did your best." After dinner, Mom baked some cookies. As she took the last pan out of the oven, Jonathan came to the kitchen to see what was baking. "Anyone who wants to try my cookies has to help clean up first," said Mom, so Jonathan started washing bowls and utensils. When Maeve followed her nose into the kitchen a little later, Mom repeated the message. "Anyone who wants cookies has to help clean the kitchen." There wasn't a lot left to do, but Maeve got busy. "Are the cookies ready?" asked Dad a little later, and Mom repeated the message one more time. Dad looked around, but everything had been washed--even the cookie sheets. Taking a sponge, he wiped the counters. "Thanks for helping," said Mom, and she handed two cookies to each of them. "Two for everybody?" objected Jonathan. "Maeve and Dad didn't do as much work as I did. Why do they get the same number of cookies?" "They responded when I told them I'd give them cookies if they helped, just like you did," said Mom. But Jonathan continued to scowl. "Time for devotions," called Dad a little later. "Would you read this parable in Matthew for us, Jonathan?" Dad handed Jonathan the Bible. When Jonathan had finished reading, Dad said, "Grandma and Mom gave equal rewards today--not for equal work, but for equal kindness and generosity on their part. God is like that too. Even though none of us deserve His kindness because of our sin, He offers us forgiveness through Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, He gives us eternal life and helps us serve Him according to the abilities and opportunities He's given us." Dad smiled at Jonathan. "Aren't you glad God's grace isn't fair?" –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Do you get upset when you think you deserve more than others but they get just as much as you? It might help to remember that God offers us a gift none of us deserve. There's nothing we could do to earn eternal life--Jesus earned it for us by dying for our sins so He could share His reward with us. God's grace isn't fair--it's generous and undeserved, and it's better than any reward you could earn yourself. Today's Key Verse: For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift. (CSB) (Ephesians 2:8) Today's Key Thought: God's grace is generous

Duration:00:04:30

The Immovable Rock

3/9/2024
Bible Reading: Psalms 18:1-3, 31-32; 121:1-3 Lucy closed her book with a THWAP! "I've studied and studied until I can't even see the numbers on the pages anymore, Mom, but I just know I'm going to fail that math test tomorrow." "But you've studied hard, and you've prayed about the test too," said Mom. "Now just do the best you can and trust the Lord to help you." Lucy sighed. "It's just that I keep thinking about how terrible I am at math. I just know I'll do the problems all wrong." "Lucy, do you remember the time we were out on that big rock at the ocean? It was so big, and we just stayed out there, enjoying all the space. We didn't notice the tide coming in, and we got caught out there, remember?" "Yeah," said Lucy. "A storm came up before we could get back to shore, and the winds and waves beat against that rock. That was one of the scariest times of my life!" Mom nodded. "It was scary, all right. Do you remember what Dad said?" "He told me not to be afraid. He said something like, 'We may tremble on the rock, but the rock will never tremble under us.' And he was right--the rock held firm, and we were safe." She paused for a moment. "Dad said God is our Rock and that even when we face difficult times, we can rest on Him and don't need to be afraid." "Right," said Mom. "Jesus died to save us from sin so we could have eternal peace and joy with Him, and He promises to be with us and help us in everything we face--in hard times like when Grandpa died last summer, but also in everyday situations like math tests." "So I didn't even have to study after all?" Lucy said with a grin. Mom smiled. "You know I don't mean that. You still need to study, and you did, so now you can trust God with the outcome. That doesn't mean things always turn out the way we hope they will--you might still fail the test even though you studied. But whatever happens, God is always faithful and will be there for us. We can trust Him to help us and to use our efforts to do good things." –Mary Rose Pearson How About You? Do you pray about your concerns in life? Do you trust God to help you, or do you focus on your own abilities or circumstances? God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and He cares about everything that troubles you, no matter how big or small it seems. You can trust Him to help you with all your problems, even if it's in a way you don't expect. He's the immovable Rock. Rest on Him! Today's Key Verse: The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. (NKJV) (Psalm 18:2) Today's Key Thought: Trust God in everything

Duration:00:04:29

No Throwaway Friends

3/8/2024
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Emma, don't forget that you need to clean your closet," said Mom. But the closet was the last thing on Emma's mind as she finished her snack after school. "Wren said she would sit with me at lunch today, but when I went to the lunchroom, she wasn't there. She's been doing lots of stuff like that lately. I'm never going to speak to her again!" "I know it hurts when friends disappoint us," said Mom. "But instead of dumping her as a friend, maybe you could try to find out if something's wrong. Maybe she's having problems at school or at home." Emma shook her head. "We're not friends anymore," she declared as she stomped off to clean her closet. When Emma returned to the kitchen, she was clutching something furry in her arms. "Look what I found in the back of my closet!" she said, holding out her old teddy bear. Mom smiled. "That old thing," she said fondly. "You used to take him everywhere." "Teddy was my best friend," Emma said, hugging him closer. Mom took Teddy from Emma's arms. "Yes, but look at him now. The color is rubbed off his nose, the fur is gone from the back of his head, and--pew! He doesn't smell very good. I think it's time to get rid of him." Mom walked toward the wastebasket. "No, Mom!" Emma cried, reaching for the bear. "I can't throw him away! He's my friend." Mom stopped. "Well, okay. But if you want to keep him, you'll have to clean him up a bit." She handed the bear back to Emma. "You're right--we shouldn't throw our friends away, should we?" Emma hugged Teddy tightly. "You mean Wren, don't you?" She sighed. "I guess I don't want to throw her away either." Mom rubbed at an old chocolate stain on Teddy's arm. "We all disappoint our friends at times. Sometimes we just need some extra attention like Teddy here--we need a friend who's there for us no matter what. That's the kind of friend Jesus is--He wouldn't ever throw us away. He loves us and forgives us and promises to be with us when things are hard. And because you know Him, you can be the same kind of friend to Wren. With a little extra love, I'm sure she'll be as good as new." –Katherine R. Adams How About You? Have you ever wanted to throw one of your friends away? Maybe they said something mean to you or weren't much fun to be around. But a real friend loves at all times--even when it's hard. That's the kind of friend Jesus is, and because He's a good friend to you, you can be a good friend too. Trust Him to help you be there for your friends, even when things get tough. Today's Key Verse: A friend loves at all times. (NKJV) (Proverbs 17:17) Today's Key Thought: Be a faithful friend

Duration:00:04:29

Buried in the Deepest Sea

3/7/2024
Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-12 "School was rotten today," Kevin said. "Rotten? Why?" Dad asked. "Was there broccoli in your hot lunch again?" "No." Kevin grimaced. "But I do hate broccoli. School was rotten because my teacher, Mr. Harper, got arrested for drugs. A bunch of parents are trying to get him fired." Dad was stunned. "Kevin, are you sure? I've known Ron Harper for years. Is he still in jail?" Kevin shook his head. "No, it happened fifteen years ago, when he was in college." "Then why are people talking about this now?" Dad asked. "Someone found out about it online, so now everyone's mad. I never liked Mr. Harper anyway. He gives tons of homework and quizzes. But the worst thing is, he always says, 'Don't use drugs, not ever, not even once.'" "Maybe that's because he cares about you and knows from experience that drugs can destroy your life," said Dad. "You know, Kevin, it's easy to believe bad things about someone you don't like." Kevin shrugged. "Some kids are transferring out of his class. Can I transfer too?" "I want to hear about this from Mr. Harper himself. I'll see if he can meet me for coffee. Until then, you aren't to gossip about this with anyone, understand? You know the Bible warns against gossip." "Even if it's true?" "Especially if it's true," said Dad. That evening, Kevin's dad called him for dinner. "Kevin, before we eat, let's talk. Mr. Harper told me that it's true he was arrested for drugs in college. He spent many months in jail and paid a big fine, and he deeply regrets doing what he did. He also told your school principal about his arrest before he was hired as a teacher." Dad sighed heavily. "Kevin, don't forget that as Christians, our sins have been buried in the deepest sea of God's forgiveness, and--" "I know," said Kevin. "If Jesus can forgive us, we can forgive Mr. Harper." "Absolutely. Forgiveness doesn't always mean we trust people to be in certain positions, but in Mr. Harper's case, I can see he's changed, and I trust him to be a good teacher." Kevin nodded, then looked toward the stove. "Well, I'm starving. What's for dinner?" "Broccoli," said Dad. Kevin frowned, but Dad smiled. "Just kidding. I made spaghetti." –Teresa Ambord How About You? Have you heard gossip about someone you didn't like? It can be tempting to believe bad things about somebody else, even without proof. But even if it is true, remember that the only person who ever lived a perfect life without mistakes was Jesus. He forgave us, and we can show the same forgiveness to others. Today's Key Verse: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:32) Today's Key Thought: As Jesus forgives, so must we

Duration:00:04:29

Effort Rewarded

3/6/2024
Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 4:12-16 Malik was having a difficult day. While he was in the locker room, he overheard some boys laughing because he had been friendly to a new student who was very awkward. Then at lunchtime, some other boys told him Christians weren't allowed to sit at their table. The way they said "Christians" made it sound like something bad. In math class, something good finally happened. Mrs. Brown announced that the regional math competition would be held the next week. "The students who will represent our school are Amy, Rita, Byron, and Malik," she said. "They'll be staying at the Grand Hotel while they're at the competition. The winning team will get a trophy and go to the state competition next month." "Wow! That's a cool place to stay. It's got a huge swimming pool and really fancy rooms," said one of the students. "I wish I could go!" "Well, I can assure you that earning the right to go to the math competition was not easy," said Mrs. Brown. "These students have shown that they're willing to put in the necessary effort to get ready for the competition and do well in it." When Malik arrived home, he told his mom about his day. "Some of the kids are jealous because I get to go to the competition," he said with a grin. Then he sighed. "But other kids still make fun of me for being a Christian." Mom looked at him. "Tell me--did you always feel like studying your math?" Malik shook his head. "Of course not." "But you studied because you had your mind set on going to the math competition. Now your efforts are being rewarded." Mom smiled. "As Christians, we will one day be rewarded too. You earned your place in the math competition, but there's nothing any of us could do to earn our place in heaven. Jesus earned it for us by dying for our sins so we could enjoy the reward of eternal life with Him. But the Bible warns us that the Christian life isn't easy--we'll experience hardship in our lives just like Jesus did. But we can persevere as we keep our focus on Him, knowing our reward will be greater than anything we can imagine." –Sam L. Sullivan How About You? Do other kids make fun of you for being a Christian? The Bible tells us that even though following Jesus isn't easy, we can rejoice when we suffer for Jesus because it shows that we belong to Him and will share in the eternal reward He earned for us on the cross. Look to Him for the strength you need to persevere, knowing that He is with you and that your reward will be great. Today's Key Verse: [Jesus said,] "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (NIV) (Matthew 5:11) Today's Key Thought: Christians will be rewarded

Duration:00:04:29

All Clean

3/5/2024
Bible Reading: Psalm 51:7; Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:9 "Cupcake, where have you been? You're filthy!" Jenny said to her puppy. Cupcake was covered in mud and sticktights. Jenny scooped him up and took him straight to the bathtub. "Time to get you clean." Jenny put lots of puppy shampoo on Cupcake and scrubbed and scrubbed. After the bath, she brushed his fur and removed all the sticktights. "Now, don't do that again," Jenny said as she cuddled her puppy. "Mom, look at all the sticktights I got out of Cupcake's fur. He was covered in mud too. Boy, was he a mess!" "He sure looks clean now. His fur looks as white as snow. You did a good job cleaning him up." Mom grinned. "I think you might need a bath now though." Jenny looked down at her wet clothes and laughed. "I think I do." Mom was in the kitchen getting lunch ready when Jenny walked in after her bath. "Boy, that feels better. When Cupcake gets dirty, he makes me dirty too!" As they ate their lunch on the back deck, Jenny asked her mom some questions about what she had learned in Sunday school that week. "Mrs. Nelson taught a Bible lesson on sin and salvation, but I didn't completely understand all that she was talking about," Jenny said. "Well," said Mom, "just like Cupcake needed the mud and sticktights cleaned off him today, we need to be cleaned of sin. Cupcake couldn't clean himself--he needed you to give him a bath and remove the burrs from his fur. What would have happened if you hadn't cleaned him up?" "He would still be dirty--and miserable!" Jenny replied. "He'd be getting poked by the sticktights stuck in his fur." Mom nodded. "Our sin does the same thing--it brings pain and sorrow into the world and separates us from God, and it eventually leads to eternal death. Romans 6:23 tells us, 'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.' God offers us the free gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus, who paid the price for our sins on the cross. When we trust Him as our Savior, He removes our sin and makes us clean so we can live with Him forever." –Lisa Fuller How About You? Do you know God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins? When you admit that you're a sinner and trust in Jesus, He forgives your sins and makes you clean. It's that simple! You can receive the free gift of salvation and eternal life today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Today's Key Verse: For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (NLT) (John 3:16) Today's Key Thought: Jesus makes us clean

Duration:00:04:29

Storyteller

3/4/2024
Bible Reading: Matthew 13:1-11, 18-23 "I can't sleep in my room!" cried four-year-old Jonah as he climbed into bed with his brother Jacob. "The mean bear will eat me!" "That was just a story," Jacob tried to explain. "I made that up." Jonah got under the covers and snuggled up to Jacob. "I'm scared." Dad walked into Jacob's bedroom and sat down on the bed next to the two boys. "Jacob, did you tell your brother another one of your wild tales?" Jacob nodded and grinned. "It was one of my best stories. There's this five-headed snake who teams up with this bear who has a head like a wild boar with footlong fangs and claws in the shape of knives. They go around looking for kids to eat, but my superhero is bigger than both of them. He can fly, and he has these spears for arms and--" "You have a fantastic imagination," Dad interrupted with a smile. "Stories are important. They can teach us about life. But I think your story taught your brother to be afraid." Jonah crawled into Dad's lap. "I love making up stories," said Jacob. "I've even been writing them down." "That's wonderful, Jacob. Storytelling is a gift God has given you. Still, you should consider your audience next time." "I will." Jacob looked at his brother. "Sorry for scaring you, Jonah." Dad put his hand on Jacob's shoulder. "Did you know that Jesus was a storyteller too?" "Really?" "Jesus told stories, or parables, like you do. His stories taught truth about God and His kingdom to the disciples and other people who came to hear Jesus teach. Jesus told stories about things that the people in His day were familiar with, like sheep, farming, weddings, and fig trees. His stories helped them--and us today--understand the truth about Jesus and the kingdom we become part of when we trust Him to save us from sin." Jacob looked at Jonah. His little brother held his favorite blue car close to his chest. "I could make up a story about a magic blue car for Jonah. He'd like that!" "He sure would," Dad said as he carried a sleepy Jonah back to his bed. –Bonnie Carr How About You? Did you know that one way Jesus explained God's truth to people was through storytelling? In fact, everything written in the Bible is God's truth--it contains the parables Jesus told that show us what God's kingdom is like, and it has many other stories about what God has done throughout history and how He has worked in people's lives. As we read and listen to God's Word, He will use it to teach us the truth He wants us to know. Today's Key Verse: I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world. (NLT) (Matthew 13:35) Today's Key Thought: Listen to the stories Jesus tells

Duration:00:04:29

The Banner

3/3/2024
Bible Reading: Exodus 17:8-15 "That was a great movie!" Braedon said as he turned off the TV. "But the way people fought wars long ago sure was different than now." Colton nodded. "When that whole troop of knights on horses came charging down the hill, it threw the enemy into total chaos!" "Yeah, but there's something I don't get. Why did that king ride out in front waving a big flag?" asked Braedon. "It's almost as if he were wearing a sign that said, 'Hit me!'" "Actually, it was a banner--a rallying point for the king's troops," explained Dad, who had watched the movie with the boys. "Seeing that their leader was with them, fighting the enemy, gave the whole army courage in the face of attack." "So instead of making the king a target for the enemy, the banner was more like an 'I am with you!' sign for the troops?" asked Colton. "Right," said Dad. "Just this week I needed that kind of encouragement myself--and do you know where I got it? From the Bible." "You did?" asked Colton. Dad nodded. "I was totally overwhelmed with the work I had to do this week," he explained. "Then I read about the victory God gave Israel over the Amalekites. Afterward, Moses built an altar to God and named it 'The Lord Is My Banner.' So in my mind, I imagined God leading me like a banner, giving me encouragement and strength for what I had to do." "Did it work?" asked Braedon. "Did it make the tough stuff disappear?" "It didn't make everything easy," said Dad. "I still had to work long hours, but God gave me the energy I needed." He smiled. "When I focused on God's promises, it was like He was waving a banner, reminding me that He was with me. I remembered that Jesus defeated sin and death on the cross so that I could have a relationship with Him forever, and that means I never have to face anything alone. I can always trust Him to help me and give me strength. God didn't make the battle go away, but He promised to be with me through it." "Wow," said Braedon. "The next time I face something hard--like exams or teasing--I'll remember that Jesus is my banner too!" –Lore Wolif How About You? What tough things do you have to face? Do you feel like God isn't interested in your problems? He is. Jesus died and rose again so you could have a relationship with Him forever--one that starts now and stretches into eternity. He promises to be with you through everything you face. Trust Him to help you with difficult assignments, comfort you when you feel sad, and show you how to respond to people. He'll be a banner for you just like He was for Moses. Today's Key Verse: Moses built an altar and named it, "The Lord Is My Banner." (CSB) (Exodus 17:15) Today's Key Thought: God is your banner

Duration:00:04:29

Post Office Box Neighbors

3/2/2024
Bible Reading: John 15:12; Galatians 6:9-10 In the pouring rain, Millie and her mom ran into the post office to check their mail. They didn't have a mailbox at their home--they rented a box from the post office. "I'm soaked! Just another thing to add to my horrible day," Mrs. Snyder, Millie and mom's post office box neighbor, grumbled as she checked her mail. "I'm sorry you're having a rough day, Mrs. Snyder. Would you like to borrow my umbrella?" Millie asked. Mrs. Snyder shook her head. "I'm already soaked, so I'll just make a run for it." "See you tomorrow!" Millie called as Mrs. Snyder dashed back out into the rain. "Why is Mrs. Snyder always so unhappy?" Millie asked her mom when they got back in their car. "I'm not really sure, Millie, but we can pray for her and continue to be kind to her." When they arrived home, Millie ran to her room to make Mrs. Snyder a card. It wasn't a birthday, Christmas, or Easter card--it was just an encouragement card that Millie hoped would help Mrs. Snyder have a better day. Inside she wrote, A field full of sunflowers to brighten your day! Your post office box neighbor, Millie. Then she drew a picture of the sun shining on a field of sunflowers. During dinner that night, Millie told her dad about the encounter with Mrs. Snyder. "I think you were letting Jesus's love shine through you today," Dad told her. "You could have ignored Mrs. Snyder or grumbled back at her, but you chose to be kind. The Bible reminds us that whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone. Because Jesus loves us, we can show His love and kindness to others." After dinner, Mom helped Millie address the card to Mrs. Snyder, and they mailed it on the way to school the next morning. A few days later, Millie and Mom were checking their box for mail when Mrs. Snyder walked in with a big smile on her face. "Millie, I got your card. Thank you for thinking of me. Those sunflowers made me smile." Millie grinned at her mom as they walked out of the post office. "Thank you for helping me mail that card, Mom. I'm going to keep praying for Mrs. Snyder every day." –Lisa Fuller How About You? Did you know that just a little act of kindness can show someone the love of Jesus? The Bible reminds us that we are representatives of the Lord, so when we show kindness to someone, Jesus's love shines through us. Because He has shown His love to us, we can show it to others. So put a smile on someone's face today and shine the light of Jesus. Today's Key Verse: Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (NLT) (Colossians 3:17) Today's Key Thought: Show kindness to others

Duration:00:04:29

Lessons from a Praying Mantis

3/1/2024
Bible Reading: Mark 11:24; Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 4:16 Kyle stared out the window, his homework forgotten on the table in front of him. He had been daydreaming, not very interested in solving his math problems, when he noticed a praying mantis perched on the bush outside. Kyle was mesmerized by the interesting creature. The mantis didn't move; he stood still with his front legs held together, looking like he was praying. As Kyle continued to watch, he saw an insect land on a branch right in front of the creature. All at once, the praying mantis lunged forward and grabbed the insect. Wow, he's hunting! Kyle thought to himself. He was still watching the praying mantis when his mom walked in. "Homework done?" Mom asked. "Not yet, but look at this praying mantis. Is he cool or what? He just caught his dinner a few minutes ago." Kyle proceeded to tell his mom about how the praying mantis had remained still in a praying stance until an insect had appeared on the branch in front of him and then snatched it up. "That's pretty neat. God sure created some interesting creatures. You know, Kyle, the praying mantis always reminds me of how the Bible tells us to pray. There's a verse that tells us to stay alert and be persistent in our prayers." "That sounds like a praying mantis waiting to catch a bug," said Kyle. Mom nodded. "The praying mantis is in his ready stance, waiting with confidence, knowing he will catch his dinner. As Christians, we need to be in that ready stance of prayer too. The Bible reminds us that we are dependent on God to provide for us and help us in everything we do, and He wants us to bring our needs and requests to Him in prayer. Just like the praying mantis is confident he will catch his dinner; we can be confident that God will hear us when we pray and that He will answer us. We are His beloved children, so even when He doesn't answer the way we want, we can trust Him to do good things through our prayers, knowing that He gave His own Son so we could have the joy and peace of Jesus in our lives." "Wow, that's really cool!" Kyle grinned and folded his hands. "Now I'm in my ready stance too." –Lisa Fuller How About You? Are you in a ready stance of prayer, trusting God to listen to your requests? You can be confident that He hears you and will answer your prayers. That doesn't mean He'll always answer the way you want, but He promises to use your prayers to do good things in your life and in the lives of others. So keep praying, and be ready to take hold of the answers God provides. Today's Key Verse: Never stop praying. (NLT) (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Today's Key Thought: Keep praying

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Planting Trees

2/29/2024
Bible Reading: Galatians 6:6-10 Tired and sweaty, Gabriel came into the house. "Mom! Do we have any more lemonade? It's like a billion degrees out there." "I'm making lemonade right now," Mom said. "I can't believe the weather we're having this early in the year! I'm surprised you and Max are playing basketball in this heat." "It's basketball season," Gabriel said, as if that would explain everything. "We're going to sit in the shade of the oak tree while we drink lemonade and cool off." "Good idea," said Mom. "And since you're taking a break from basketball, why don't you and your brother help me sort these things when you finish your lemonade?" Gabriel frowned. "Do we have to? I mean, we will if you say we have to, but…" He paused and looked at the piles of new and used items on the table and floor. "You're giving all those things to the organization that helps people in need and tells them about Jesus, right?" he asked. "We've done that before, but then we never hear anything more about it. If it does any good, we never see it." "Well, we do get reports now and then," Mom assured him. She stared out the window a moment. "But even when we don't, it's like that old oak tree in the backyard." Gabriel looked up, puzzled. "It is?" "Your great-grandfather planted that tree as a sapling, knowing he'd never enjoy its cool, refreshing shade on a hot afternoon." Mom smiled at Gabriel. "But he planted it anyway." "And now we enjoy the shade on hot days," said Gabriel. Mom nodded and put glasses of cold lemonade on a tray. "We don't always see the fruit of our labors right away--if ever. We help others because of the love Jesus has shown us, and we want them to know about His love too. We can trust Him to use our efforts to bring more people to faith in Him, maybe now or maybe years from now. He doesn't waste any work that's done for Him." Gabriel picked up the tray with the lemonade and started for the door. Then he stopped and looked back at his mom. "We'll come help you as soon as this lemonade is gone," he told her. –Mike Dize How About You? Do you wonder if the good things you do for others even make a difference? We can't always see how our work for God affects others, but God puts all the things we do for Him to good use, whether we see the results right away or not at all. So keep doing things that show others the love of Jesus. He promises that anything you do for Him will not be in vain--it will not be useless. Trust Him to bless others through your efforts and help more people know about Him. Today's Key Verse: Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (NIV) (1 Corinthians 15:58) Today's Key Thought: God's work never goes to waste

Duration:00:04:29

No Amazing Tricks Required

2/28/2024
Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:18-19 "Next week we will have a pet show," Ivy's teacher announced to her class. Ivy's feet did a happy dance. She couldn't wait to bring her dog Mose to school. Violet waved her hand. "Do you want my mother to be the judge? She knows all about dog shows because my French poodle, Queenie, is in lots of them." "It's kind of you to offer, Violet, but it's not a contest, so we won't need a judge." "Queenie can do eleven tricks," Violet said. Uh-oh. Mose didn't know any tricks. Ivy better get on the ball. Hey, that would be a good one. He could stand on a ball and add numbers. When Ivy said ten plus one, he could bark eleven times. Even Violet's dog probably couldn't do that. "Violet's poodle can do eleven tricks," Ivy said that night at supper. "Plus, she's a queen. And she came from France, which is a very fancy place." Ivy plunked her elbows on the table and plopped her chin in her hands. Mose had come from the plain old animal shelter. Hey, wait a minute. She didn't know where he had been before the shelter. She sat up straight. "Do you think Mose could be from a royal family?" A loud snore came from under the table where Mose was lying. "He doesn't sound very royal to me," Mama said. Daddy shrugged. "Even kings snore." "So, he could be a king!" Ivy poked her head under the table. "Did you hear that, boy? You're a royal dog!" When they finished eating, Daddy got his Bible and turned to a page near the end. "This verse says we are God's children. Since he's our King, that means we're royal. But that's not the most important thing. What matters is that we belong to Him." "Just like Mose belongs to me." Ivy gave her dog a pat. "It doesn't matter if he can do amazing tricks or if he's a king. I love him because he's mine." Mama winked at Ivy. "That's the same reason God loves you." Ivy grinned. "Even though I can't stand on a ball and do math!" –Martha Hynson How About You? Do you ever feel like you need to be or do something special so God will love you? The Bible says we can never earn God's love. That's why Jesus, who is perfect, died for us. When we trust Him to save us from sin through His sacrifice on the cross, we become part of God's family. He loves us more than we could ever imagine simply because we are His. Today's Key Verse: See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! (NLT) (1 John 3:1 ) Today's Key Thought: God loves you

Duration:00:04:29

The Best Answer

2/27/2024
Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-28 It hadn't been a good week for Isaiah. Nothing seemed to be fun anymore since his best friend Thomas moved away. "Please, dear God," Isaiah prayed every night, "let Thomas come back and live here again." "I know you miss Thomas very much," Dad said one afternoon as he and Isaiah washed the car. "But I don't think his family is going to move back here." "Yes, they will! I asked God to bring them back, and He'll answer my prayer. Won't He?" "Well, yes…" Dad frowned a little and scratched his head. "Oh, I forgot to tell you--Mom's fixing stuffed green peppers to go with dinner tonight. She wanted to know if you'd eat some." Isaiah wrinkled his nose. "No thanks, I don't like stuffed green peppers." "I'll let her know," said Dad as he headed to the house. He came out a few minutes later. "Isaiah, Mom is fixing stuffed green peppers for dinner. Should I tell her you'll eat some?" Isaiah stood up from the wheel he'd been cleaning. "You already asked me about that, Dad. And I already said no! Don't you remember?" Dad laughed. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Your answer was no surprise, by the way. It just wasn't what your mom was hoping to hear--she really likes those stuffed peppers. She wants you to like them too, but your answer is still no. It's like that with God--He will always listen to our prayers, and He will always answer, but sometimes the answer is no. We need to remember that He cares about us--that He loves us so much Jesus died for us--and trust Him to do what's best." Isaiah put down his sponge. "Why wouldn't God let Thomas come back here? It would make me a lot happier." "But it might not be best for Thomas's family. His father was very sick, you know, and the doctors said a warmer climate would be better for him. Instead of praying that Thomas will come back, maybe you could ask God to help his family adjust to their new home. This move might be harder for them than for you." Slowly Isaiah nodded. "Okay. And after I pray for Thomas and his family, I'll ask God to help me find a new friend here too." –Katherine R. Adams How About You? Do you think God should answer all your prayers exactly the way you want? If things don't go your way, do you think God doesn't care? That's not true. He does care, and He knows what's best for you and for all His children. So even when God's answer to your prayer is no, trust Him and remember that His way is best. Today's Key Verse: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. (CSB) (Romans 8:28 ) Today's Key Thought: Accept God's answers to prayer

Duration:00:04:29

Broken Window

2/26/2024
Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-11 Jaxon hadn't meant to break the window. The ball had slipped out of his hand, and now he stood in front of a mess. If only there was some way to hide it, Jaxon thought. But there wasn't. He couldn't fix it. He'd broken his bedroom window, and his parents were going to find out. They were probably going to ground him. Jaxon sighed. "It's my own fault. I shouldn't have been playing ball in the house." Instead of trying to hide things, Jaxon went downstairs. "Dad?" Jaxon said. Dad turned toward him. "Yes?" Jaxon looked at his feet. "I broke my window." Dad got up. "How did that happen?" "I hit it with a ball," Jaxon mumbled. "I'm sorry." They went upstairs to look at the damage, and Jaxon waited for his dad to tell him what his punishment was going to be. "I'm sorry," Jaxon said again. "I know I shouldn't have been playing with the ball in here." Dad nodded slowly. "You did know it's against the rules to play ball in the house, right?" Jaxon nodded. "I guess I thought I could get away with it if no one saw me." Dad sighed. "I need to talk to your mom," he said. Jaxon waited for his parents and was surprised by how calm they looked when they came into his room. "We decided to give you grace this time," Mom said. "Grace?" Jaxon asked. "Yes," said Mom. "We're not giving you what you deserve for breaking the rules. We've decided to give you grace instead." She smiled. "Just like how Jesus gives us grace all the time. He died to take the punishment we deserve for our sins so we could be saved and enjoy life with Him. Whenever we do something wrong, He offers us grace and forgiveness." "Right," Dad said. "But the Bible says that those saved by grace shouldn't go on sinning. We're trusting that there will be no more ball playing in the house." "There won't be," Jaxon quickly agreed. Mom hugged him. "We forgive you and we love you." "We do," Dad said. Jaxon smiled. Grace felt pretty amazing. –Bethany Acker How About You? Has anyone ever given you grace when you didn't deserve it? How did it feel? Have you received God's grace by trusting Jesus to forgive your sins? His gift of grace covers all your wrongs. Instead of getting the punishment you deserve--eternal separation from God--He forgives you and gives you eternal life with Him. Trust in Him so you can enjoy His grace every day. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Today's Key Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (NIV) (Ephesians 2:8) Today's Key Thought: Grace is a great gift

Duration:00:04:29

The Trinity Tree

2/25/2024
Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20; John 14:16-17, 26 Anya inhaled the rich scent of the woods. She loved these weekly hikes to various parks in Michigan with her homeschool group. Remi and Taylor, two of her best friends, ran around her. "Come on, Anya, race you to that dune!" The three friends looked over the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan as they waited for the group to catch up. After a rest and snack on the beach, the homeschoolers headed back into the thick of the woods. Anya stopped suddenly and gasped. "Guys! Look at this awesome tree!" This particular tree had a wide base that morphed into three separate trees two feet up. The kids all took turns standing in the middle of the three portions of the tree on its base. Remi, Taylor, and Anya could fit in the tree at the same time, and they each leaned back against their own section. "This tree reminds me of the Trinity," Anya said thoughtfully. "What's that?" Remi questioned. "Well, the word Trinity isn't in the Bible, but it means that God is one God with three Persons--kind of like how this tree has three trunks." Anya shrugged. "At least, that's the way I picture it. My mom says it's hard to understand the Trinity because our human minds can't totally grasp it." "I know about God the Father and Jesus the Son, but what's the third part of the Trinity?" asked Taylor. "The Holy Spirit," Anya answered. "Remember when Jesus went back to heaven after His resurrection? Before He went, He told His disciples and other people that He would leave His Spirit to be with them always and to comfort them and remind them of everything He said." "Mom said when we belong to Jesus, His Spirit guides us through the truth of the Bible and helps us through hard times," Remi said. Taylor ran her fingers over the tree's bark. "This tree is one tree, but with three unified parts--just like how God is one God with three Persons." "It's always been a little mind-bending to me, but seeing this tree helps me understand," Anya noted. "Let's name it the Trinity tree," Remi suggested with a grin. "Photo-op!" Taylor yelled as her mom aimed her phone camera at them. "Say trini-tree!" –Savannah Coleman How About You? Did you ever stop to consider how God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God but three Persons? In John 10 verse 30, Jesus says that He and God the Father are one. Jesus also promised His followers that God the Father would send them the Holy Spirit to help, comfort, and be with them forever. As God's children, we have access to a God who is our Father, the Son who died for our sins and rose again, and the Holy Spirit who helps us through each day. Today's Key Verse: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (NIV) (2 Corinthians 13:14) Today's Key Thought: God is Father, Son, and Spirit

Duration:00:04:29

Treasures That Matter

2/24/2024
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-12 "What's the matter, honey?" Mom asked when Amelia came into the house. "Your face is telling me something isn't right." Amelia's words came in a rush. "Abby's always bragging about her clothes and all the places she gets to go and how much money she has. Today she wouldn't stop talking about the spring break trip her family has planned. I'm so tired of hearing about it!" Mom looked at her thoughtfully. "You're not jealous, are you?" Amelia blushed a little. After a moment, Mom said, "I'm going to give you two gifts." "Really?" asked Amelia in surprise. Then she narrowed her eyes. "I have a feeling there's a catch to this." Mom smiled. "Here's the first gift." She reached out and gave Amelia a big hug. "I love you, love you, love you," Mom told her, using a favorite family phrase. "Love you too, Mom," Amelia replied as Mom went to get her purse. "But I still think there's a catch." Mom grinned, opened her purse, and handed Amelia some money. "Here's your second gift." Amelia squealed. "I hear the ice cream truck coming. Can I use it for ice cream?" Mom nodded, and Amelia hurried out, forgetting to look for a catch. When Amelia was ready for bed that evening, she went to tell her parents goodnight. "What do you have left of the two gifts I gave you?" asked Mom. "Well, the money is all gone, and so is the ice cream I bought--though I might still have some blue moon left on my teeth!" She laughed as she hugged her mother. "But I still have your love, and you're not getting it back!" "You'll always have it," Mom said. "I gave you those two gifts because I wanted you to realize that you have something far more valuable than anything the world has to offer. Earthly things are like the money I gave you--they don't last. But love does. And along with the love of your family, you also have God's love, which is far greater than human love. And because of God's unconditional love, you've been given eternal life through Jesus, who died for your sins so you could be God's child. So you see, you're really a very rich young lady." –Susi McCord How About You? Do you ever wish you had things other kids do? Remember that earthly treasures are temporary--they don't last. The love of family and friends is far more important, and most wonderful and important of all is the love of God, who offers us eternal life through His Son, Jesus. So don't be jealous if other kids have more stuff than you do. Instead, remember that you have eternal treasure found only in Jesus. Today's Key Verse: Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. People do not get life from the many things they own." (ERV) (Luke 12:15 ) Today's Key Thought: Don't be jealous of what other kids have

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