** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <August 1, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Jesus Loves Everyone, and You Should Too (Monday)

Read: Luke 19:1-10 

 

"Hi, Mom!" exclaimed Rylee as she placed her backpack on the kitchen counter.

"Hi, Rylee. How was your first day of Bible camp?" Mom asked as she cut carrots and put them in the stew she was making.

 

"It was great! We swam in the lake, went down the small waterslide, and ziplined. After that, we had Bible class."

 

"That sounds like fun!" said Mom. "What did you learn about in Bible class?"

 

"Well," said Rylee, "one of the counselors taught us about a man in the Bible named Zacchaeus, and how Jesus wanted to go to his house to eat even though Zacchaeus had done many bad things. He also talked about how Jesus loves everyone, and that's why we should love others, even our enemies." Rylee frowned. "I don't really understand what that has to do with Zacchaeus though. Anyway, we learned a new Bible verse--Mark 12:31. It goes like this: Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 

"That verse you learned tells us how to love others like God does," Mom explained. "It doesn't say, Love your best friend' or Only love your family.' The Bible says to love everyone--even our enemies--because Jesus loves each one of us the way He loved Zacchaeus. You see, Zacchaeus was a tax collector who collected money from the citizens for the government. Nobody liked him because in Jesus' day, tax collectors took as much money as they wanted for themselves most of the time. He was a thief in the eyes of the people."

 

"But Jesus forgave him?" asked Rylee.

 

Mom nodded. "Even though Zacchaeus was a sinner, Jesus loved him, and He even wanted to eat lunch at Zacchaeus' house! And even though we've sinned, Jesus loves us and wants to have a relationship with us too. That's why He tells us to show love and compassion to all our neighbors--because He loved us when we were sinners like Zacchaeus."

 

"Wow! I never thought of it that way," Rylee said as she started helping Mom with the celery. "Jesus wanting to eat with Zacchaeus shows how much He loves all of us." She grinned. "Speaking of eating, that stew smells good!" -Evelyn Cardriche

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you find it hard to love some people? Maybe it’s the new kid at school or an older sibling who picks on you. No matter who your neighbors are, remember that Jesus loves everyone—He shows each one of us kindness and compassion even though we’ve all sinned against Him. Trust Him to help you love others, even when it’s hard.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Mark 12:31 (KJV)

Love your neighbor as yourself. (NIV)  

 

 

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 27, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Listen, Learn, and Grow (Tuesday)

Read: John 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1-3 

 

"How soon will Ryan be able to play ball with me?" Lucas asked as he got in the car after visiting his new baby cousin. "He's really little."

 

"He's bigger than my dolls though," observed Lucas's younger sister, Grace.

 

Dad laughed. "It will be a while before Ryan will be able to throw a ball around. We need to be patient with babies and give them time to grow."

 

"Did you know it takes human babies longer than almost any animal to grow up?" Mom asked as they headed home. "For example, colts can run just a few hours after they're born."

 

"And remember the puppies Ginger had last year?" added Dad. "Puppies are old enough to leave their mother when they're only six or eight weeks old."

 

Mom nodded. "Human babies need their parents much longer."

 

"I'm glad I can play ball already," said Lucas.

 

"But you're not all growed up," Grace told him. "You need to get lots bigger."

 

"Did you know that baby Christians also need time to grow?" Dad asked.

 

"What's a baby Christian?" asked Grace.

 

"Well, a baby is someone who was recently born, and Jesus said we need to be born again," Dad replied. "That means trusting Him to save us and make us new people. So when you trusted Jesus to save you last year, Grace, you were born again. You became a baby Christian, just like Ryan is a baby person."

 

"Am I a grown-up Christian now?" Lucas asked.

 

"Not yet," replied Dad. "You still need people like me and your mom to teach you about Jesus and what He says in the Bible and to guide you in how to live for Him. In fact, even when we become mature Christians, we still need to keep growing. As we learn more about Jesus through His Word and see Him working in us and in the lives of others, we grow in our relationship with Him."

 

"Kind of like how Grandpa knows more about trains than anyone because he's worked on them and studied them for so long, but he's always wanting to learn more about them?" asked Lucas.

 

"Exactly," said Dad. "Even when we become mature Christians, God is still helping us grow to be more and more like Jesus." -Rebekah Burkholder

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you a growing Christian? Do you know more about Jesus now than you did when you were first saved? Do you love Him more and desire to follow Him in all you do? You wouldn’t want to be a baby human all your life, and you don’t want to stay a baby Christian either. Keep getting to know Jesus better as you walk with Him through life, and trust Him to help you grow.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 29, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Like Andrew and Peter (Wednesday)

Read: John 1:35-42 

 

Zebb slipped into a seat and waited eagerly for vacation Bible school to begin. He'd become a Christian a few months earlier after his friend Travis had invited him to church, and he'd been looking forward to this special week-long program. He liked the songs and the games, and he looked forward to hearing the story the teacher would tell.

 

Song time was as good as usual, and then Mrs. Jackson got up to give the lesson. "Today we're going to talk about Jesus' disciples--the men He called to be with him while he was teaching here on earth," she began. "One of them is Andrew. And who do you think was the first person Andrew brought to Jesus?"

 

Several children raised their hands. "His best friend?" Zebb guessed.

 

"Or maybe some people who lived near him?" suggested Travis.

 

Mrs. Jackson smiled. "I'm sure Andrew told many of his friends and neighbors about Jesus, and we certainly should do that too. But let's not forget there might be people in our own homes who need Jesus. The very first person Andrew brought to Jesus was his brother Peter."

 

Zebb squirmed and looked at the floor. His younger brother Jon had wanted to come along to vacation Bible school, but Zebb wouldn't let him. "I don't want you tagging along with me and my friends," Zebb had told him.

 

The next morning, Zebb shook his brother awake. "It's time for vacation Bible school. Do you want to go?" Jon's face lit up, and he nodded and quickly got dressed.

 

As Mrs. Jackson gave the lesson that day, she explained that everyone has sinned and only Jesus can wash sin away. Jon fidgeted and whispered something to his brother. Zebb nodded, and after the kids were dismissed, he took Jon up front. "Mrs. Jackson, my brother isn't a Christian, but he wants to become one. Can you tell him again how to do that?"

 

"I sure can!" said Mrs. Jackson.

 

As Zebb and Jon walked home, Jon looked up at his brother. "Can I go to vacation Bible school with you again tomorrow?"

 

"Sure," Zebb replied. "From now on, we're going to follow Jesus together, just like Andrew and Peter did." At Jon's puzzled look, Zebb grinned. "They're two of Jesus' disciples the Bible talks about. I'll tell you about them." -Teresa M. Beverly

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have relatives who don’t know Jesus as their Savior? Have you invited them to church? Have you told them Jesus loves them and wants to save them from their sins? If you know Jesus, you should do all you can to bring others to Him. A good place to start is in your own home.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: John 1:41-42 (KJV)

He [Andrew] first found his own brother Simon [Peter]…and he brought him to Jesus. (NKJV)

 

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 30, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Chocolate Without Sugar (Thursday)

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Ephesians 4:29

 

"Ada totally ignored me at our class party," Ellie told her friend Kayla. "What a snob!"

 

"Yeah," said Kayla. "Lots of times she doesn't speak to me either--unless she wants help with math or something. She's so two-faced! But who needs Miss Stuck-Up anyway?" Kayla glanced at the clock. "Oh, it's getting late. I better go."

 

After Kayla left, Ellie went to the kitchen. "Are you making brownies?" she asked her mom. "Yes, I am," Mom answered as she measured sugar.

 

"Yum!" Ellie picked up a spoon that still held a bit of chocolate and stuck it in her mouth before Mom could stop her. "Oh, yuck!" Ellie groaned and made a face. "This tastes awful! Mom, what's wrong with this chocolate?"

 

"There's nothing wrong with it, but it's unsweetened chocolate. It doesn't have sugar in it," Mom explained. "I was going to warn you, but it was too late." Thoughtfully, she added, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Kayla. It was something like that chocolate."

 

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked in surprise.

 

"Well, chocolate without sugar is bitter, isn't it? Things we say can be bitter too--and it seems to me the things the two of you said were just that. Bitter--with no sweetness at all."

 

"But all we said is that Ada is stuck-up, and she is! We're not mean to her. We're always helping her with homework and stuff."

 

"That may be, but your words don't match your actions, and we can't show others love through one but not the other. Both our words and our actions need to be filled with kindness and compassion to show others the love of Jesus. Ada may not be perfect, but neither are you. Yet Jesus shows you love through both His words and His actions. The Bible speaks of His love for us, and He showed it to us by dying for our sins so we could be saved."

 

Ellie sighed. "But Ada didn't even hear us."

 

"I'm glad of that, but the Bible says our words should benefit those who listen.' I heard what you said, and I didn't find any of it beneficial. Chocolate needs to be sweetened to taste good, and our actions and words need to be sweetened too--sweetened with love." -Irene C. Strobel

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are the words you speak sweetened with love? Or are they filled with bitterness? It’s not enough to be patient and helpful when someone asks for something but then talk about them behind their back. The Bible tells us to show love through both our words and our actions. Use your words to build others up and benefit those who hear them.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up… that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 31, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Silent Singer (Friday)

Read: Ephesians 4:2-3, 31-32

 

Feeling her shoes pinch her feet, Shavonda looked out at the auditorium. She'd never felt more relieved to finish singing a song. She'd also never felt angrier.

 

It was Children's Day at church, which meant that all the children had been specially involved in the service. Shavonda's friend Brynlee had invited her to sing a duet for the occasion.

 

"I'm not sure," Shavonda had told her.

"Please!" Brynlee begged. "We can do it together!"

 

Brynlee's enthusiasm won Shavonda over, and she agreed. After a few hours of practicing, both girls felt prepared.

 

When it came time to perform at the church service, though, Brynlee's stage fright left her silent. Shavonda was startled, but she kept singing, all the way to the end. What had begun as a duet ended as a solo.

 

The congregation clapped, and the girls took their seats with other kids who'd already performed. But for Shavonda, it wasn't over.

 

After the service ended, Shavonda stormed outside. On the way to the parking lot, her grandmother stopped her.

"You did a wonderful job today, Shavonda," Granny declared. Then she noticed Shavonda's expression. "What's wrong, honey?" she asked.

 

"I didn't even want to sing that song until Brynlee talked me into it--then she didn't even sing! She left me up there looking silly. She knows I don't like singing in front of a crowd!" Shavonda fumed.

 

"You didn't look silly--you made a joyful noise to the Lord. But I understand why you're upset. Sometimes people let us down, Shavonda. I think Brynlee probably disappointed herself too."

 

Shavonda looked confused. "You think so?" she asked. Granny nodded. "I know how much Brynlee likes singing. She probably feels bad," Shavonda said.

 

Granny smiled. "You sang about God's love today, honey. We have that love in our hearts because of what Jesus has done for us. We can show it by being compassionate--and by forgiving others when they let us down."

 

Shavonda noticed Brynlee walking toward her. She still felt embarrassed about the performance, but she also cared about her friend.

 

"Brynlee!" Shavonda called, ready to comfort her friend with a hug.

 

-Allison Wilson Lee

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Has someone done something that hurt or embarrassed you? Sometimes friends and loved ones let us down, even without meaning to. Did you find it hard to forgive? Remembering that Jesus is always compassionate to us can help us be kind to others even when they disappoint us. We can forgive others when we consider how much God has forgiven us. Trust Him to help you show others forgiveness and compassion.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)