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

Read: Psalm 40:9-10

Tyler jumped off the school bus and ran home. He burst into the kitchen. “Mom! Mom! Guess what?” He ran through the house until he found his mom. “I won the spelling bee! I did it!” His eyes shone as he held out a big blue ribbon for her to see.

Mom gasped and gave him a hug. “That’s wonderful, Ty!”

Tyler nodded. “Now I get to compete in the regionals next month! I’ve got to text Jack and tell him.” He picked up his tablet to send a message to his best friend, who had moved away a few months earlier.

“What did Jack say?” Mom asked a while later.

“He thought it was great,” said Tyler. He sighed. “I wish we still went to the same school.”

“I know,” said Mom. She picked up Tyler’s ribbon and looked at it thoughtfully. “A lot has happened since he moved away, hasn’t it? We weren’t even going to church back then, but now we know Jesus.” She smiled at Tyler. “I can understand why you wanted to tell Jack about winning the spelling bee right away. It’s always fun to share good news, and that’s certainly good news. But you have even better news than that. Have you shared it with Jack?”

“Better news?” Tyler asked.

Mom nodded. “The best news of all, in fact—about how Jesus died for us and rose again so we could be saved and have a new life with Him.”

“Oh, right.” Tyler sat down on the couch and sighed. “I’m a little afraid to come right out and tell him,” he admitted, “but I do want Jack to know Jesus too.”

He got up and picked up his tablet. “I’m going to do it right now. I’m going to tell him I’ve got the best news of all!” He paused. “Can I invite him to spend the weekend with us?” he asked eagerly. “I think his mom will let him come. Then he could come to church with us and learn more about Jesus. Would that be okay?”

Mom smiled. “Of course!”

–Beth R. Terpstra

How about you? Have you shared good news with someone lately about something exciting that happened? What about the very best news of all—that Jesus died and rose from the dead so we could be saved? Have you told anyone about that? Share the good news of Jesus with others so they can know Him too! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Share God’s good news

Read: Psalm 145:8-21; Luke 6:31

Maylie stroked Chester’s long orange fur. Her cat purred loudly. “Sir Chester Chatterson, would you like a morsel of cake?” Maylie placed a cat treat on a plate and poured water into a teacup for Chester.

Mom walked by as Chester lapped water out of the cup. “He let you put that top hat on him?” She laughed. “Just remember to let him leave when he’s had enough tea party time.”

After Chester wandered off, Maylie spotted Miss Priss grooming herself in the sunshine. Miss Priss was an older cat and didn’t like to be bothered. Maybe just this one time she won’t mind, Maylie thought.

Miss Priss gave a warning growl when Maylie picked her up. At first, a few treats seemed to appease the calico, but when Maylie tried to pull a doll’s dress over her head, Miss Priss had quite enough!

Hisssss! Scratch! Maylie looked at her arm and began to cry. Mom darted into the room and untangled Miss Priss from the lace dress before attending to Maylie’s scratch.

“Maylie, you know better than to bother Miss Priss!”

“She’s a mean cat!” Maylie sobbed.

“No, she’s just protecting herself. What you did to her was not kind. Do you remember the Bible verse we’ve been working on?”

Maylie stopped sniffling to recite it. “‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’”

“Good job! Jesus wants us to care about other people’s feelings and needs the way He cares about ours. When we treat people with kindness, we’re showing them the kind of love He showed us when He gave His life to save us. Even the way we care for animals and their needs shows His love in us, because He cares for everything He created.” Mom finished bandaging Maylie’s arm. “Now, what did Miss Priss need?”

“To be left alone. But Mom, Chester doesn’t mind when I dress him up!”

“Chester is a younger cat with a different temperament than Miss Priss. Not everyone likes the same thing. Remember when one of your friends tried to force you to put face paint on at her birthday party?”

Maylie’s eyes widened. “I do not like stuff on my face!” She walked over to the calico and gently pet her head. “I’m sorry, Prissy. You look better in calico than lace anyhow.”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you ever struggle with being kind to animals? Or maybe you want to love them so much that you don’t give them the space they need. While animals aren’t created in God’s image like people are, the Bible says God cares about all His creation, down to the smallest of sparrows (Matthew 10:29). As we show Jesus’s love to other people, we can also display His love in the way we treat animals. How can you care for a critter today?

Today’s key verse: The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Being kind to critters matters to God

Read: Isaiah 41:8-10

Zoe couldn’t wait to go on her youth group trip to the state park, where there would be camping, hiking, swimming, and bonfires. She packed her duffle bag and was about to zip it up when her mother walked in. “Aren’t you going to pack your Bible?” Mom asked, pointing to the dust-laden book on Zoe’s nightstand. “You might want it.”

Zoe reluctantly put it in her bag. “We’re going to be talking about the Bible the whole time! Why do I need it with me?” But her mother just smiled and left.

On the first day of her trip, Zoe was finishing her lunch when the head counselor made an announcement. “In twenty minutes, there will be a game of capture the flag. Afterward we’ll have ice cream—and the winning side gets first dibs on toppings!”

The group cheered as teams were chosen. Zoe’s team decided that she and a few others would search for the other team’s flag. Once the whistle blew, Zoe raced through the woods to the other side of camp. When she saw an enemy team member coming toward her, she veered off the path and ran in what she thought was the right direction. Ten minutes later, it proved her wrong. She was lost!

Sitting on a fallen tree, she tried to think of how to get back to camp, but it was hopeless. So she prayed about it, desperately asking God to help her find her way back. Then one of the Bible verses they’d talked about earlier that day popped into her head. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Zoe thought about what her counselor had said—that God loved her so much He’d sent Jesus to die for her so she could be His child. It gave her peace knowing He was with her.

Just then Ezra, a boy from her team, appeared from behind a tree. “Are you lost?” he asked. “I’ll show you the way back to camp.”

Zoe thanked him, and they made their way back. That night, as she opened her Bible, Zoe silently thanked God for being with her and for calming her fears with the truth of His Word.

–Norah Varner

How about you? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt lost or afraid? We can always find peace by remembering the truth God gives us in His Word. So don’t let your Bible get covered with dust! Even in the darkest moments, we can be assured that God loves us and is with us. When you read the Bible and memorize verses, such as today’s key verse, the truth of God’s Word can help you feel His peace.

Today’s key verse: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: God’s Word brings peace

Read: James 1:5-8

Minha sat on the beach watching the waves crash into the shore. It was a windy day, and the waves were huge. Minha had a lot on her mind, and watching the water calmed her.

Mom came and sat next to her. After a while of sitting in silence, Mom finally asked, “How are you doing?”

“I’m just so scared of making the wrong decision,” Minha said as she fought back tears. Minha and her mom had just come from the doctor, who had told them Minha’s test showed that she had cancer, and he had given them different options for treating it.

Mom put her arm around Minha. “Well, this is a huge decision, but we need to pray that God will give us wisdom and guide us in making the right choice.”

“But, Mom, all the treatment options could make me even sicker. How can we be sure God will help us make the right decision?”

The two sat in silence for a little while, watching the water. They watched as a big stick was thrown from one wave to another. Then a big wave heaved the piece of wood onto the shore, and it finally became still.

“Minha, we are definitely going through a struggle right now,” Mom said. “We can either let our emotions get the best of us and throw us around like the waves did that stick, or we can trust God to see us through this. It’s not going to be easy, but we have to remember that Jesus will be with us as we make these tough decisions—and He’s put doctors and other people in our lives who can help guide us in making wise choices. That doesn’t mean everything will go the way we want it to, but we need to remember that God is in control and will work everything out for good, no matter what decision we make. Jesus saved us, and He’ll always be with us, no matter what happens. It may be scary, but we can trust Him.”

Minha watched the water for a long time, thinking about what her mom had said. She then said a silent prayer asking God for wisdom and guidance as she and her family made the choices they needed to make.

–Melissa Yeagle

How about you? Are you going through a hard time right now? Do you have some tough decisions to make? Perhaps you’re dealing with something difficult in your family, at school, or with your health. No matter what it is, remember that Jesus saved you and will work everything out for good, even if things don’t go the way you hoped. Trust Him to be with you and guide you in whatever it is you’re facing.

Today’s key verse: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Romans 8:28 (CSB)

Today’s key thought: Trust Jesus with tough choices

Read: Psalm 38:1-4

Grounded and bored, Mia slouched in the chair as she watched her baby sister play. Little Riley, growing tired of her blocks, made her way to Mia’s backpack that leaned heavily against the brick hearth. Riley picked up the straps and tried to lift the weight of Mia’s bag—an impossible feat, since Riley was barely able to walk on her own.

As Riley began to cry in frustration, Mia knelt down to help. Removing the books from her bag, Mia thought her sister would be relieved, but instead she grew angry. She cried harder and tried to return the books to their place.

Irritated with her sister, Mia huffed. “You can’t lift it, Riley!” She pulled the bag away, only to be met with an all-out tantrum from Riley.

Mom rushed into the room. “What is it now, Mia?”

“Why is it my fault?” Mia asked. “I was trying to help.”

Mom gathered up Riley in her arms. Once Riley was calm, Mia spoke up. “I don’t want to cause trouble, Mom, but I do. Even when I’m trying to help I end up in trouble.”

Mom sat Riley back down to play and turned to look at Mia. “Sometimes I put blame on you when I shouldn’t, Mia, and I’m sorry. I mess up too.”

Mia sighed. “I just want to be good enough so you and Jesus and everyone else will be happy with me, but I don’t know how to make that happen.”

“Oh, Mia,” Mom said. “Every time you try to be good enough on your own, you’re trying to lift a burden you can never carry.”

Mia looked down at her backpack and imagined herself as a baby trying to lift it. “Like Riley trying to lift a bag full of books?” she asked.

Mom nodded. “When you trusted Jesus to save you, He made you good in God’s eyes by giving you His righteousness, or goodness. You don’t have to try to be good enough. Instead, the good we do comes from a place of knowing that He loves us just as we are and gives us all we need to show His love to others. Because of Him, you’re always good enough.”

–Maggie J. Sifuentes

How about you? Do you ever feel like you can never be good enough? Does trying to do everything right feel like a burden you can’t carry? Let Jesus carry the weight for you. When you trust in Him, He gives you His goodness in exchange for your sin. As you rest in His love and depend on Him to help you show it to others, your efforts to help and serve will be a joy, not a burden. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Jesus makes you good enough