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

Read: Colossians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:14-15

Jackson Henry! Had Dad really called out that name to be in their small group nature walk tomorrow? Nolan was still mad at Jackson for goofing around and breaking his compass on their last church campout. Renewed anger filled Nolan. He stomped off to the cabin.

A few minutes later, Dad opened the door. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” Dad’s tone left no room for argument.

Sighing, Nolan scuffed across the floor to the door then followed Dad down a trail.

Dad stopped by a large rock and pointed toward the top of a tall tree. “See that spruce tree with the orange yellow clump on its branches?”

“Yes.” Nolan looked intently at the tree. “Is it some kind of nest?”

“No. The tree is diseased with a fungus commonly called broom rust. The mass created by the disease looks like the bristles of a straw broom.”

Nolan studied the bristled mass. “Why don’t the forest rangers treat the tree to kill the disease?”

“They can’t. Once a tree is diseased, there is no cure.”

“That’s too bad,” Nolan said.

“I agree. You know, that same type of thing happens to people. Our feelings get hurt or a possession gets broken, and instead of forgiving the offender, we carry a grudge. Holding a grudge causes bitterness to fester and grow inside of us. Over time, it shows on our faces and in our actions—kind of like that fungus on the tree.” Dad raised his brows. “I saw your reaction after I read Jackson’s name. I’m confused. I thought you forgave Jackson when he apologized for breaking your compass.”

“I tried,” Nolan said. “But I feel angry when I think about my compass or when Jackson’s around. I’m not sure how to get rid of the bad feelings.”

Dad put a hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “Unlike the infected spruce tree, Christians have someone who can cure our spiritual diseases, like grudges. Jesus died so you could be forgiven for all your sins, and He can heal your heart. Trust Him to help you forgive others and replace those feelings of anger and bitterness with love. Have you asked Him to help you forgive Jackson?”

“No, but I will.” Nolan bowed his head and began to pray.

–Rose Ross Zediker

How about you? When someone wrongs you, do you dwell on the incident and harbor ill feelings toward that person? God tells us to forgive as He forgives us. He doesn’t dwell on our past mistakes because Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross for all our sins. Forgiving can be hard, but if you depend on God to help you, He can replace the bad feelings in your heart with His love.

Today’s key verse: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Trust God to help you forgive

Read: John 3:14-17

“Wow!” Henry said as he scrambled aboard the helicopter. “This is so cool!” He and his friend Owen were taking a helicopter ride with Owen’s Uncle Shane, who was a pilot for an emergency helicopter service.

Henry sat down in one of the seats. “I never thought I’d get a chance to ride in one of these!”

Uncle Shane chuckled. “I always have eager passengers. Take my last one, for example. A couple of young guys were mountain climbing near here, and one of them fell over the edge of a cliff and landed on a ledge. He was trapped in an odd spot where no one could climb down to help him, so my partner and I had to fly in to rescue him. Now there was an eager passenger!”

“How did you get him out?” Henry asked. “Was there room to land?”

“No,” replied Uncle Shane, “but this helicopter has a lot of special equipment, like that rescue basket you see over there.” He pointed to a long wire mesh basket attached to a rope. “While I hovered the helicopter over the spot, one of my partners went down in the basket to the man on the ledge. He got him into the basket and brought him back up into the helicopter. That man was even more happy to be on board than you are.”

The boys strapped themselves into their seats. “You know, we’re something like that mountain climber,” Uncle Shane said as he flipped some switches on the console. “He was helpless to save himself, and we’re helpless sinners who aren’t able to save ourselves either.”

“Yeah,” said Owen. “That rescue basket was the only thing that could save him that day, and Jesus is the only one who can save us, right?”

“Exactly,” said Uncle Shane. “He came down to earth and died on the cross to save us. He’s the only one who can rescue us from sin and bring us into the safety of eternal life with Him.”

“So we should be even more thankful than that mountain climber was,” Henry replied. “His life on earth was saved for a while, but Jesus saves us for all eternity.”

“That’s right,” said Uncle Shane. He revved up the helicopter’s engines. “Now, prepare for takeoff!”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Did you know that Jesus came to earth to rescue you from sin? He paid the penalty for your sins on the cross so you could be saved. He is the only one who can rescue you from eternal death and give you eternal life. Trust Him as your Savior and know you are safe with Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: Everyone who believes in him [Jesus] will have eternal life. John 3:15 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Only Jesus can rescue us from sin

Read: John 21:15-17

“Why do we have to do this?” Grayson pinched his nose as he eyed his uncle’s barn.

“We’re helping out for a few days,” Mom said. “Come on, the sheep are waiting.”

Grayson dragged his feet as they walked over to the barn. Mom led the way to a pen of dirty, wooly sheep. She held out a handful of dry food, and all the animals raced over to her.

“You’re going to let them eat off your hand?” Grayson made a face.

Mom giggled as one of the sheep ran its thick tongue over her hand. “It’s actually fun.” She glanced back at Grayson. “If you don’t want to feed them, you can get them water. We need to take care of them to help your uncle while he’s recovering from surgery.”

“Uncle Bill’s never done anything for us,” Grayson muttered as he turned away.

Grayson filled a bucket with water and carried it to the sheep’s pen. He tried to pour it carefully into their trough, but it still splashed, and he let out a scream as dirty water got on his legs.

“You can shower when we get home,” Mom said. She smiled as one of the sheep stuck its nose in the trough. “Did you know that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, all in a row?”

Grayson’s forehead wrinkled. Why was his mom suddenly bringing up a Bible story?

“Each time Peter said that he did, Jesus told him to care for His sheep.”

“Jesus had sheep?” Grayson stared at his mom.

“He didn’t mean actual sheep,” Mom said. “He meant people that He died on the cross to save. People like me and you. People like your uncle Bill.”

Grayson sighed. “So by caring for Uncle Bill’s sheep, we’re caring for Jesus’s sheep too?”

Mom nodded. “Caring for Uncle Bill’s sheep shows that we love him, and it shows that we love Jesus too. He loves Uncle Bill and wants us to show him His love by helping him.”

Grayson looked at the dirty animals before reaching for his mom’s bucket of feed. “If this shows that I love Jesus, okay.” He grabbed a handful of food. When he held it out and the sheep moved from his mom to him, he couldn’t help but smile.

–Emily Acker

How about you? How often do you do something for someone simply because you want to show them God’s love? Jesus says that when we care for others and show them the same kind of love He has shown us, we’re doing those things for Him (Matthew 25:31-40). Is there someone who you could do something for today to cheer them up and show them God’s love?

Today’s key verse: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Show love by caring for others

Read: Psalm 119:41-48

“Ouch!” grumbled Ember one morning as she yanked the brush through her thick hair.

“You could cut your hair, you know, or wear braids at night,” said her older sister Paige, who was propped up in bed with her Bible.

“Well, right now I just want to get it untangled!” Ember gritted her teeth as she pulled on the brush.

“Let me help.” Paige took the brush and started working on the snarls. “You should have strong arms after doing this so much,” she said as she attacked another section of hair. “Am I pulling too much?”

“No more than I do.”

After a few minutes, Paige put the brush on the dresser. “That should do it! Now I’d better finish untangling my head before I have to get ready for school.” She picked up her Bible again.

“What do you mean, untangle your head?” Ember asked as she stuffed books into her book bag. “Your hair doesn’t get in knots like mine does.”

“My hair doesn’t get in knots, but my mind does,” said Paige. “Sometimes I get really worried about things. Then I have trouble concentrating on schoolwork and other things I have to do throughout the day.”

“So how do you untangle it?” asked Ember. “A brush untangles hair. What untangles minds?”

“The Bible helps me. I make sure I read some verses from it every day,” replied Paige. “My thoughts seem to get tangled up all by themselves—just like your hair does—but reading God’s Word helps me remember that Jesus loves me and died for me and that He promises to be with me in every situation. Getting His Word into my mind helps me straighten out my thinking.”

“Maybe I should try that too.” Ember heaved her book bag to her shoulder. “But since my bus comes so early, doing it after school or before bed would work better for me.” She looked around. “Where’s my sweater?”

“Over there.” Paige pointed to the corner. “You’re right, Ember. You should try reading some Bible verses every day. Untangling your thoughts is even more important than untangling your hair!”

–Miriam K. Nowak

How about you? Do your thoughts get all mixed up sometimes? Do you worry about school, friends, or what’s going on at home? Pick up your Bible and let God’s words speak to your heart. They’ll remind you of how much Jesus loves you and His promise to always be with you. Get your thoughts untangled by focusing on the truth of God’s Word.

Today’s key verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Get God’s Word into your mind

Read: Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27

Isaac watched as baby Eloise blinked, nodded, and finally closed her eyes. When he was sure she was asleep, he looked at his mom in the rearview mirror. “Mom? Do you think heaven is gonna be—I don’t know—boring?”

Mom glanced at him. “What makes you say that?”

Isaac squirmed. “Well, everyone’s always talking about how great heaven will be, but it sounds like all we’ll be doing is singing like we do in church. I like church okay, but I don’t think I’d want to be there all the time. I’d miss pizza and basketball and stuff like that. I like it here!”

Suddenly Eloise jumped in her sleep and cried out, and Isaac reached over to pat her hand.

“Do you suppose Eloise was thinking something like that three months ago?” Mom asked.

Isaac was puzzled. “How could she? She’s only two months old!”

“Yes, but she was alive before she was born, you know. Maybe she liked being in my stomach, where she was warm and comfortable and never hungry. If someone asked her if she wanted to be born and be part of a new world, she might have said no.”

“If she did that, she’d be missing out!” Isaac said.

“I agree. We couldn’t even begin to describe the sights, sounds, and tastes to her. And I think it’s the same with us. We can’t imagine how wonderful it will be to see Jesus in heaven or what it will be like when He restores all of creation one day and makes everything new. All we know is that it will be a perfect world free from sin, pain, and death.”

“So, if Jesus is making the whole world new again, do you think there will be pizza and basketball?”

Mom laughed. “Maybe! All I know for sure is that we’ll be with Jesus, and there’s nothing better than that. He’s always with us now, of course, but there we’ll see Him face-to-face.”

“Kind of like how Eloise could hear your voice when she was in your stomach, but she couldn’t see your face until she was born?”

“Exactly,” said Mom. “Jesus wants us to enjoy our time on earth now, but being with Him in heaven will be so much better. It won’t be boring at all!”

–Susan S. Arcand

How about you? Do you wonder what heaven will be like? Are you afraid some of the things you love now won’t be there? We don’t know exactly what heaven will be like, but we know there won’t be any sin, pain, or death. The new earth Jesus has promised us will be a wonderful place where we will live with Him forever. It will be better than anything we can imagine!

Today’s key verse: In My Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Heaven will be great

Read: Philippians 2:12-18

“David, can you hold the door open for me?” Dad called. But David and Abby were too busy fighting over which video game to play to hear him. “David!” Dad called again.

“Yeah?” David looked up, startled.

“Please hold the door open so I can bring the ladder inside. I need to change a lightbulb.”

“Why do I always have to help you? Why can’t Abby do it? She never has to help.”

“I didn’t ask your sister. I asked you,” Dad said firmly.

David sighed but got up and held the door. As Dad set up the ladder and climbed the metal rungs, Abby and David started fighting again.

“Abby! David!” Dad called down. “What is this?” He held up the burned-out lightbulb he’d unscrewed from the light fixture.

David shrugged, and Abby rolled her eyes. “It’s a dead lightbulb,” she answered, glaring at her brother. “Duh!” David pulled back his arm like he was thinking of hitting his sister.

“Abby! That’s enough. David, don’t touch your sister. Yes, a broken bulb. What do you hear?” Dad descended the ladder and shook the bulb.

“Broken pieces rattling around,” David said, still scowling.

Dad nodded. “When we complain and argue, we’re like this broken light bulb. It has broken pieces clanging around and is no longer serving its purpose. Complaining and arguing make a clanging noise too. They show there is brokenness—sin—in our hearts. Our purpose as people saved by Jesus is to let the light of His love shine through us. But complaining and arguing show that we’re focused on ourselves instead of trusting Him and loving others.”

Abby and David were silent and looked down.

“Abby, hand me that new bulb, please,” Dad said. Abby quietly handed him the new bulb. Dad started back up the ladder.

“Dad?” David asked. “If we’re like broken bulbs, does that mean we can never shine again?”

Dad started twisting in the new bulb. “The good news, David, is that Jesus always makes us shine, even though we sin. And when we do something wrong that makes us rattle and clang, we can ask Him to forgive us. He fixes our broken pieces and we become like new.”

Dad came back down the ladder and flipped the switch on the wall. The new bulb shone brightly and lit the whole room.

–Pearl Allard

How about you? Do you argue with your brothers and sisters? Do you complain when a parent or teacher asks you to do something? Complaining and arguing expose sin in our hearts. If those things have been clanging around your life lately, ask Jesus to forgive you and replace them with thankfulness and love. Then live out the purpose He’s given you and shine for Him!

Today’s key verse: Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure…[as] you shine like lights in a dark world. Philippians 2:14-15 (ERV)

Today’s key thought: Don’t complain or argue

Read: Luke 10:25-37

The screen door slammed behind Oliver as he bounded down the steps of his house. Humming, he headed toward the barn to feed the chickens.

Buck buck buck buck-AHHHH! squawked Omelet, Benedict, Scrambled, and Dippy as they raced around the corner of the barn. Omelet nibbled at Oliver’s fingers. “I’m not your supper, you crazy bird!” he said with a laugh.

Mom was turning the TV volume up when Oliver returned to the house. A news correspondent was reporting on a hurricane in another part of the country while wind and rain whipped around him.

“I’m standing on what used to be one of the main roads here,” he shouted above the blustery weather. “Now the road has turned into a river. Behind me, you can see families leaving all they own behind to get to safety. Flooding is expected to get worse before it gets better.”

That night, Oliver could hardly sleep. He kept thinking of all the kids he saw on TV who had to leave their homes and everything they had.

During family devotions the next morning, Dad read from the book of Mark.

“What does ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ mean?” Oliver asked his parents.

“It means we should help those in need, even if they don’t live next door,” Mom explained. “Doing that shows others the love of Jesus, who left heaven and came to earth to save us from sin. He sacrificed His life so we could have a relationship with Him, and we can show that same kind of love to others, no matter who or where they are.”

“How can I do that?” Oliver asked.

“The best thing you can do is pray,” Dad said. “You can also share things like your allowance or your time.”

Oliver thought about his chickens. “Can I use the money I’m making from selling eggs to help the kids in the hurricane?”

Mom smiled. “I think that’s a great idea.”

The late afternoon sun washed over Oliver as he collected eggs later that day. He closed his eyes, basking in the warmth. Please, Lord, he prayed, help the kids who have lost everything in the hurricane. And help me use the money from these eggs to show them Your love.

–Kelly Hope

How about you? Do you know someone who needs help from a neighbor? In the Bible, a neighbor isn’t necessarily someone who lives on the same street as you—or even in the same country. It’s a person Jesus loves, and that’s everyone! Helping a neighbor in need can be as simple as inviting someone to play with you or praying for someone far away. How else can you show God’s love to your neighbors?

Today’s key verse: Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Love your neighbor

Read: 1 John 1:5-9

“And please forgive me for the lie I told. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Aubrey climbed into bed, and Mom gave her a kiss and turned out the light. After lying to her mother a few days earlier, Aubrey had asked God to forgive her. But every now and then she still felt guilty, so she’d ask Him again.

The next afternoon, Mom suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Aubrey, I was supposed to ask if you wanted to go shopping with Grandma this afternoon, and it slipped my mind! I’m afraid it’s too late now. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh no!” Aubrey wailed. “That would have been so much fun!”

Mom felt bad. “Can you forgive me?” Aubrey sighed and nodded.

As the family sat down for supper that evening, Mom looked at Aubrey. “I’m so sorry about forgetting the shopping trip,” she said. “Please forgive me.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Aubrey replied as she helped herself to some chicken. “This looks so good!”

After supper, Aubrey helped Mom clear the table. “Aubrey, I feel so bad you missed being able to go out with Grandma,” Mom said. “Will you forgive me?”

Aubrey gave her mother a puzzled look. “Mom, I told you it’s okay,” she said, not noticing her mother’s smile.

When Aubrey was ready for bed that night, she prayed, once again asking Jesus to forgive her for the lie she had confessed so often. Then she jumped into bed. “About the shopping trip,” Mom began as she tucked the blankets around Aubrey, “can you forgive me for—”

“Mom! You’ve apologized over and over!” Aubrey said. “I forgave you the first time, but you sound as though you don’t believe me!”

Mom smiled. “Do you think you might sound the same way to Jesus?” she asked gently. “You sinned when you lied to me the other day. You were sorry and confessed it to me and to Jesus, and I think you know I forgave you. Jesus says He forgives you too—He died for all your sins on the cross so you could be forgiven. Yet you continue to confess the same thing over and over—as though you don’t believe Him.”

Aubrey was startled. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Thank you for forgiving me, Mom. I’ll thank Jesus for forgiving me too!”

–Hazel W. Marett

How about you? Do you still feel guilty after you’ve confessed a sin to Jesus? Do you continue to ask for forgiveness over and over? When you sin, you should confess it to God—and sometimes to someone else too—and ask to be forgiven. Then remember that Jesus, who died to take the punishment for all your sins, says He forgives you the first time you ask Him to. Believe Him and know you’re forgiven.

Today’s key verse: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Accept God’s forgiveness

Read: Psalm 121; Matthew 11:28-30

James was happy to be camping with his dad, but…

“How much further do we have to walk?” His backpack was making him lean forward, and he felt a little like a turtle. Maybe he had overpacked.

His dad smiled. “Not too much further, bud. You’ve got this.”

James wanted to be strong and make his dad proud. They didn’t see each other often since his parents got divorced. But the weight was really getting to him.

“Almost there.” Dad quickened his steps.

When they reached their site, James dropped his backpack to the ground and sank down beside it. “That was hard!”

“But you did it.” Dad gave him a thumbs-up. “Let me get the tent set up, then we can go on a hike.”

“I don’t know if I have the energy to hike.”

“We’ll leave our backpacks,” Dad said. “That will make it easier.”

James rested while his dad got the tent up, thankful that he didn’t ask for help. He watched his dad take his backpack to the tent and stick it inside before putting a lock on the door.

“Let’s hike,” Dad said.

James stood and started toward the trail that his dad pointed out. It almost felt like he was floating, his back felt so light. “It does feel better without the backpack.”

“Told you,” Dad said. “It always feels better once you lay down your heavy load.”

Where did I hear something like that before? James frowned. “Right, in church,” he said. “God promises to carry our load for us if we lay it down before Him.”

“What was that?” Dad glanced back at him.

James explained what his pastor had taught. “Jesus took our heavy load of sin when He died on the cross, and He is always with us when life gets heavy too. Like, when I’m sad about you and Mom not being together anymore, He can take my sadness and make it so it’s not so heavy.” He straightened up. “It’s like putting down my backpack and feeling lighter.”

Dad wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry things are hard for you, bud.”

“Me too,” James said. “But I’m glad that I have Jesus to help me.”

–Emily Acker

How about you? When you’re facing something that feels too hard for you to deal with on your own, do you turn to Jesus? Have you ever felt Him help you through a time that was incredibly hard? He carried your burden of sin to the cross, and He promises to help you with life’s burdens too. Lay your worries, hurts, and problems at His feet and trust Him to help you with them.

Today’s key verse: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Let Jesus carry your burdens

Read: 2 Samuel 9:3-11; Luke 14:13-14

“Lose your kickball scrimmage?” Dad asked.

Will buckled his seatbelt. “No. It’s Carter again.”

“The boy who uses a wheelchair?” Dad grinned. “He’s funny.”

“Dad! Should you say that about someone who can’t walk?”

“Why not? He wears a T-shirt that says ‘A Wheelchair Is How I Roll.’” Dad put the car in reverse. “He must have a great sense of humor.”

“Well, I wish he wouldn’t watch us from the sideline the whole game.” Will shoved his dirty sneakers into his duffle bag. “I don’t know why he wants to play with us anyway. Don’t they have Special Olympics for kids like him? He should just play with his own kind of kids.”

Dad put the car in gear. “Grab the Bible out of the glove compartment, Will. I want to show you something.”

“You don’t have to read me a Bible verse about being nice, Dad. I don’t do anything mean to Carter.”

“Just turn to Second Samuel 9.” Dad waited for Will to read the passage. “Well?”

Will sighed. “King David asks if there’s anyone left in his friend Jonathan’s family and learns Jonathan has a son named Mephibosheth who can’t walk. So David finds him and tells him, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness, and you will always eat at my table.’”

“King David didn’t ignore Mephibosheth or make him sit at a separate table for people with disabilities,” Dad said. “David included him. That story is a picture of what Jesus does for us. He died for us so we could be included at His table, even though we’re sinners. And He wants us to include others.”

Will twitched his eyebrows the way he always did when he was thinking hard. “But how can we include Carter? You have to run in kickball. He can’t run.”

“That’s your puzzle to solve,” Dad said.

The next afternoon on the kickball diamond, Will assigned positions to his players.

“Who’s pitching?” someone asked.

Someone on the sideline caught Will’s eye. Carter.

“Wait.” Will jogged over to where Carter sat. “Can you pitch? You just have to roll the ball to the kicker.”

Carter’s face lit up, and he patted his chair. “I’m an expert at rolling. I’d love to pitch!”

–Holland Webb

How about you? Do you include everyone you can in games and other activities? Even if it takes some extra effort to include someone with a special need? We all have a need for Jesus. If He hadn’t died for us, we could never be included in His reward in heaven. How can you show others His kindness by including them?

Today’s key verse: When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Include everyone you can