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Do not honor yourself in a king’s presence. Do not stand in a place reserved for great people, because it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than for you to be humiliated before a ruler.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever played the game, “Would You Rather?” It gives you two choices, and you have to pick which one you would rather do.

Sometimes the choice is really hard because you want both ice cream and fries!

But sometimes the choice is really easy. Here’s one of those easy ones: Would you rather be moved up to a place of honor or get embarrassed and sent down to a lower place? Or think of it this way: Would you rather be last in line for recess and your teacher moves you to the front or be first in line and get sent all the way to the back? Well, that’s easy . . . move me up to the front, right?!

The Book of Proverbs is full of God’s inspired advice. And the advice is simply this, “Humble yourself. Put others first. Let God lift you up.” It’s easy to understand—but actually hard to do.

Let’s say you just got your test back at school. You notice your friend didn’t do as well. A little part of you might want to “accidentally” show off your test score, right? Or let’s say there’s one piece of pizza left. You and your brother each had two already. You want to grab it before he finishes his!

It’s hard to be humble. It’s hard to put others first.

We all have moments like that. And that’s why it’s so great to think about Jesus. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 EHV). Jesus didn’t choose the easy way. He humbled himself, so that you would be exalted!

Dear Lord, we thank you for humbling yourself and becoming obedient to even death for us. By your resurrection, the Father exalted you and gave you the name that is above every name. Help us confess your saving name to the world around us in our words and also in our humble actions. Give us opportunities this week to live out our faith by putting others first. Amen.

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Someone asked [Jesus], “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:23,24,30

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine this: You’re twelve years old and your grandma lives in another city. Her birthday is coming up next Monday, and your parents suggest you send her a gift. You think, “Okay, I’ve got time.” On Wednesday you finally pick the gift. On Thursday you wrap it. On Friday you drive to the post office . . . but the door is locked! There’s a sign: “Closed Friday through Monday for Holiday Weekend.” Oops! Now Grandma’s gift is going to be late.

Grandma may be forgiving about receiving her gift late, but there’s something way more important we can’t be late for—getting through the “narrow door.” Jesus talks about it in the Bible. Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many . . . will try to enter and will not be able to” (Luke 13:24).

This was Jesus’ response to someone’s curious question, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (Luke 13:23). Jesus didn’t give a number, but he did say the way to heaven is “narrow.” That means it’s not a “choose any door you want” situation. You can’t get to heaven by trusting in another god, or in science, or by just being “good enough” on your own. There’s only one way. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

It’s kind of like showing up at the post office after it closes—you won’t get into heaven by any means apart from Jesus. Without him, the door will always be closed.

But here’s the good news. Yes, the door is narrow, but that door is open to everyone. Jesus died to save all people—no matter where they’re from or what they used to believe. He wants you and the people you know to walk through that door and live with him forever.

Make every effort to enter through that door!

Dear Jesus, you are the only way to heaven. Thank you for opening the door for me and everyone in the world. Help me stay close to you now so I can be with you forever. In your name I ask it, and in faith I know you will do it. Amen.

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You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. Hebrews 12:18-24 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Close your eyes for a second and imagine this. You’re standing in front of a HUGE mountain. You feel tiny—like an ant! But you’re not moving any closer, because this mountain is scary.

The ground is shaking under your feet. Flames shoot up the sides. Smoke rises so thick you cough and cover your face. Thunder crashes. Lightning flashes. A super-loud trumpet blasts in your ears. And then you hear God’s booming voice giving the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods before me . . . You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God . . . ” (Exodus 19–20).

That mountain was called Mount Sinai. It’s a real place in Egypt where God gave his law (think the Ten Commandments—part of what’s called the “old covenant”) to Moses and the Israelites 3,500 years ago. And the main feeling there was fear—because the people knew God’s law was perfect and they weren’t. It reminded them that sin brings punishment and death.

But now imagine a different mountain. This one isn’t scary, it’s beautiful. The sun is shining. You hear singing and laughter. There’s no smoke, no fire, no fear. Everyone is smiling and full of joy. Here there is life, not death. This is Mount Zion—and the Bible says this is where you belong right now because of Jesus (this is called the “new covenant”).

What’s the difference between the two mountains? On Mount Zion, Jesus has already done everything needed to save you. He kept the law perfectly for you. He took the punishment you deserved and replaced it with forgiveness, joy, and life that will last forever.

Because of Jesus, you don’t have to be afraid. You can live forever on his mountain safe and in his mercy and love!

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my fear and replacing it with joy. Thank you for giving me life forever with you. Help me trust you every day and remember that you are my safe place, the rock of my salvation! Amen.

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“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory. And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the LORD. “And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the LORD. Isaiah 66:18-24 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Did you go anywhere fun this summer? Maybe to the beach? A waterpark? Grandma’s house? Or maybe you stayed home with family and friends but still had a great time?

Whether you stayed near or went far, your mode of transportation was probably different than what the people of Isaiah’s day were using. Back in Bible times, people didn’t have cars, planes, or buses. They traveled by walking, riding donkeys or horses (Isa 66:20), or in bumpy old wagons. Imagine if your family vacation took weeks just to get there! But here’s something that hasn’t changed: No matter where you go, God says the people you meet could be part of your family—his family.

“What does that mean?” the people of Isaiah’s day were wondering. They thought only their group (the Jews) could be God’s special people. But God told Isaiah to say something surprising: “I . . . am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages” (Isaiah 66:18). The non-Jewish nations were called “Gentiles.” In other words, God was inviting everyone—people from every country, every language, every place—to be part of his forever family. And not only that, but God said he would even make people from other nations “to be priests and Levites” (Isa 66:21), roles specifically reserved for blood relatives of part of the Jewish people.

What does that all mean? Paul explained it this way: “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him” (Rom 10:12).

And guess what? That’s still true for us today. No matter where you go—whether it’s another state, another country or even just another school—you will never meet someone Jesus has not died for.

You will always find people called to be a part of the same family as you. And when you do, tell them of the wonderful home in heaven—it’s going to be the biggest and happiest family reunion ever! It’s yours and theirs because of the blood of Jesus which makes us all the family of God. For “‘all mankind will come and bow down before me,’ says the LORD” (Isa 66:23). What a reunion that day will be!

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making me part of your forever family Thank you for loving people from every country and every place. Please help me see everyone as someone you love and help me share your love with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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[Jesus said] “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Luke 12:49,51

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever heard what the angels said when Jesus was born? They sang, “On earth, peace!” And the Bible also calls Jesus the “Prince of Peace.” That sounds nice, right?

But then Jesus says something that sounds a little confusing. He says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division” (Luke 12:51).

Wait a second—peace or no peace? Which is it?

Jesus says . . . both!

Here’s what he means:

Jesus said he came to bring “fire” to the earth. What does that mean? He’s talking about God’s Word. In the Bible, God’s Word is sometimes called a fire—it’s powerful and it changes things.

God’s Word does two big things:

When someone believes God’s Word, it gives peace, joy, and eternal life. When someone doesn’t believe, they don’t have peace with God.

That’s why Jesus says there is both peace and division. Praise God, he’s given us that faith and peace that lasts forever!

Dear Jesus, there are so many hard things in the world that try to steal our peace. Thank you for giving us true peace that lasts forever. Help me share that peace with others. Amen.

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Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7,11

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever been in trouble for being disrespectful? Maybe you said something unkind to your mom. Later, your dad finds out. You admit what you did—but you know a consequence is coming. Maybe you get a timeout. Maybe you lose screen time. Maybe you even get a spanking. And then Dad says, “This hurts me more than it hurts you.”

There’s a reason parents say things like that. They’re not trying to be mean. They’re trying to help you grow.

The Bible says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). That means that even though discipline can feel hard, it helps us learn what’s right. That’s why your parents give consequences—not to hurt you, but because they love you and want you to learn.

The author of Hebrews captures the feelings of father and child when he says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.” God is the same way. He gives us discipline too—not because he’s mad, but because he’s a loving Father. Discipline equals love and it helps train us.

Now here’s something really important: There is a difference between discipline and punishment.

We all deserved punishment because of our sin. But Jesus already took that punishment for us when he died on the cross. The Bible says, “For the joy set before him, [Jesus] endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). That joy was you—Jesus wanted to save you because he loves you! Now, because of Jesus, we don’t need to fear punishment anymore.

When you go through something hard, “Do not lose heart; endure hardship as discipline; run with perseverance the race marked out for you.” How? By fixing your eyes on what never moves. Jesus. And fix your eyes on your Father who trains you in love and calls you his true children.

When we go through something hard, we can remember: God isn’t punishing us. He’s teaching us. He’s helping us grow. He’s treating us like his own children. And he loves us. Always.

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking the full punishment of my sins away so I never have to be afraid. When life is hard, help me endure it by remembering that you are using it to teach me and it’s for my good. In your name I pray, Amen.

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“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-29 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It’s Monday morning. You walk into your classroom. The bell rings. And then your teacher says, “Time for a quiz!” You groan a little . . . until you see there’s just one question on the page: “True or False?”

How would that make you feel? Some kids might like it—there are only two choices! But others might think it’s too risky. If you get it right, you get 100%. If you get it wrong, you get a big fat zero. No in-between. It’s either true or false—it can’t be both.

Now imagine this: What if getting into heaven was based on just one “True or False” question? If you get it right, you live forever with Jesus! If you get it wrong, you don’t get in. No wiggle room.

That might sound kind of scary. But don’t worry—God doesn’t give us a real test at heaven’s gates. There’s no pop quiz we have to pass. But there is something we need to know now—right now—while we’re here on earth: the truth. And to answer this with confidence, we need to be taught the truth.

In our Scripture reading, God calls out “lying prophets”—false spiritual teachers—as those who “prophesy the delusions of their own minds” (Jer 23:26). That means they make up things from their own minds, not from God. But a true teacher is someone who speaks God’s Word faithfully—just as it is. There is no wiggle room; you can only be one or the other. God compares it to straw and grain. Straw might look big and fluffy, but you can’t eat it, it won’t help you grow. Grain, on the other hand, can be turned into bread. It’s real food that fills you up and gives you strength. Following our own dreams and desires that run contrary to God’s Word is good for nothing. Listening to God’s will is like that grain—it’s what feeds our hearts and gives us the truth about Jesus. And God’s will is simply this: that all would be saved through faith in Jesus alone as their Savior from sin.

With this faith, God’s question for eternal life is something we can answer with confidence: “True or False? Jesus died to take away every one of my sins.” By God’s grace, you know that answer is absolutely, “TRUE!”

Dear heavenly Father, send us your Holy Spirit through your Word and through those who teach it faithfully, so that we may always believe the truth of your Son, our Savior Jesus. Your Word is real power, and we thank you that with it alone we have eternal life. Amen.

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But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:31

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Kids love treasure stories. Maybe they have dreamed of finding a chest full of gold coins and shiny jewelry. Some might have even dug in their backyard or at the beach, hoping to discover something amazing. When kids grow up, they might start thinking treasure means other things—like lots of money, good health, or a cool job.

But in today’s Bible story, Jesus says there is an even better treasure—one you don’t have to dig for! It’s being part of God’s kingdom with Jesus as the King of kings.

Why is that such a treasure? Because when someone belongs to God’s kingdom, they get amazing gifts: forgiveness for all their sins, a place in heaven, and eternal life with God forever.

That’s not all. God, our Father in heaven, watches over his children and promises to provide everything they need—food to eat, clothes to wear, and a safe place to live. But the best gift of all is Jesus, our Savior, who guards and protects us.

Sometimes kids worry about losing their toys or about school or their families. But Jesus reminds us not to worry. Instead, he tells us to trust God to take care of all our needs.

Jesus says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow—focus on God’s kingdom today.” That means looking to Jesus as the greatest treasure. He’s with us now, and he’s preparing a wonderful home for us in heaven.

So, whenever worries come, kids can pray and trust God’s love. God’s kingdom is the best treasure—and it lasts forever!

Dear Father, thank you for Jesus, our treasure, who brings us to your kingdom. Help us trust you and not worry. Amen.

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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What is faith? How would you explain it to a friend at recess or lunch?

Here’s a simple way to think about it: Faith means being 100% sure that God will do what he says—even if you can’t see it yet.

A long time ago, there was a man named Abraham. He and his wife were really old—too old to have kids—but God told Abraham he would have a son. That sounded impossible! But Abraham trusted God’s promise anyway.

And guess what? God kept his promise. Abraham had a son named Isaac.

But that’s not the only promise God kept. God also promised to send a Savior. And he did! He sent Jesus—who paid for our sins, rose from the dead, and opened the door to heaven. God did exactly what he said he would do.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

That means even when life feels confusing or scary, faith holds on to God’s promises. It says, “I don’t know how this will work out, but I know God will help me. He always does.”

God has promised so many good things to his children—that he will always be with them, that he will protect them, and that he will take them to heaven someday. That’s what faith believes—even when it’s hard to see.

And guess what? The Holy Spirit is the one who helps people trust those promises. He works through God’s Word to help believers say, “God’s got me. I trust him!”

So, what is faith? It is being completely sure God will do everything he promised—the things we hope for like heaven, and the things we can’t always see, like how he helps and protects us every day.

Dear God, thank you for giving us faith to trust your promises. Help us hold onto Jesus and look forward to heaven. Amen.

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After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What’s something a kid might want really badly? A new video game? A best friend? More time before school starts again? Everyone has wishes—even people in the Bible.

A long time ago, there was a man named Abram. God had already blessed Abram in big ways—he had land, animals, and lots of servants. God had even protected him from enemies and promised to stay with him. But even with all that, Abram’s heart was still sad. There was something he wanted more than anything else.

What did he want? A son. Abram had no children, and he was getting old. He thought maybe his servant would get everything he owned someday. So Abram did something important: he talked to God about it.

And guess what? God listened. Just like a loving father listens to his child. God took Abram outside, under the starry sky, and said, “Look up! Count the stars—if you can. That’s how big your family will be someday!” God promised Abram a son. But not just a son—a huge family would come from him. And even more amazing—Jesus the Savior would be born from that family line!

Sometimes kids feel like their prayers don’t matter. But that’s not true! Just like God heard Abram, God hears you. He wants you to talk to him about your hopes, worries, and dreams.

We may not always get exactly what we want, but we can trust God always gives us what we need. He already gave us the most important gift—Jesus! Jesus died and rose again to open the way to heaven. Now we have something better than anything money can buy: God’s love and the promise of forever with him.

So, whenever you feel sad or unsure, look up like Abram did—God’s promises still shine bright!

Dear God, thank you for listening to our prayers and giving us Jesus, our Savior. Help us trust your promises like Abram did. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

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