** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <January 21, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

It Takes Practice (Monday)

Read: 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17 

 

Kenny groaned as he picked himself up from the snow. He was learning to ski, and his feet were in great big boots that were locked onto two long sticks of fiberglass. When he had begged to go skiing with his big brother, Nicholas had warned him it wasn't as easy as it looked. Kenny soon found out Nicholas was right.

 

"I'll never learn how to ski!" Kenny exclaimed after falling for the umpteenth time.

 

Nicholas grinned. "Tell you what--your lift ticket includes a lesson for beginners." He pointed to a group of kids at the top of a small hill. "Why don't you go join the class and get some pointers?"

 

Kenny joined the group, and the ski instructor taught the beginners some of the basic moves. Then came the first few trips down the bunny hill, which was the easy hill. The instructor held a long pole in front of the beginners for them to hold onto to keep their balance.

 

"That was fun!" Kenny said when he rejoined Nicholas. "I think I'm ready for the big hill." Just then, he lost his balance and fell sideways into the snow. "Oops! I guess I'd better practice some more."

 

As they headed home after a fun-filled day, Kenny was excited. "I wish we could skip church tomorrow and go skiing again, but I know Mom and Dad won't let us."

 

"No," said Nicholas, "and that's good, because learning to understand the Bible better is kind of like learning to ski. It takes practice. The more you work at skiing, the better you can do it--and the more you read and study the Bible at church and on your own, the more you understand it."

 

"I had a ski instructor," said Kenny. "I guess a Bible instructor is good too."

 

"Yes," said Nicholas. "In a way, the Holy Spirit is like our Bible instructor. He helps us understand what God is saying to us and apply it to our lives. We can also ask other Christians for help when we don't understand something--like Mom, Dad, or Pastor Lee." Nicholas grinned at his little brother. "Just remember, anything worthwhile takes time and effort. Keep practicing." Charlie VanderMeer

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have trouble understanding what the Bible says? Some of the stories are easy to read and understand. Other parts of the Bible are more difficult. But you have an instructor helping you—the Holy Spirit. As you read the Bible on your own and with others, He will help you understand what it says. But it still takes practice, so keep reading. It’s worth the effort.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (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 <June 16, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Precious Stones (Part 1) (Tuesday)

Read: Matthew 7:21-23 

 

"I'm so glad I can spend part of my summer vacation here in Colorado with you, Aunt Kim!" said Zoe. Aunt Kim was lots of fun, and Zoe loved to roam around Aunt Kim's jewelry store and look at all the beautiful gems.

 

The first day Zoe visited the store with her aunt, she pointed to a ring in the display case. "That's a ruby, isn't it?" Zoe asked "It looks like the one you gave Mom for her birthday."

 

"It's not exactly the same," Aunt Kim replied, taking the ring out and handing it to Zoe. "Your mother's is the real thing; this one is synthetic."

 

Zoe looked at the ring carefully. "Synthetic? What does that mean?"

 

"Well, I guess you could call it a fake. It's simply not a real ruby--it's man-made," Aunt Kim explained. "It looks a lot like a ruby, but it doesn't cost nearly as much. Many people can't tell the difference."

 

"I can see why a lot of them would be fooled," said Zoe as she handed the ring back to her aunt.

 

Aunt Kim nodded. "Yes, but a trained eye can tell it's not the real thing." After a moment, she asked, "Did you know that the Bible warns us not to be synthetic Christians?"

 

"Synthetic Christians?" Zoe repeated. "What do you mean?"

 

"Well, the Bible doesn't use the word synthetic, but the concept is the same. It says some people may look like Christians, but they have no relationship with Jesus. There hasn't been a change inside. They're often able to fool other people--maybe even fool themselves--but in reality, they're fakes. In the Bible, Jesus talked about people who call Him Lord but don't really know Him at all. We can't always tell who truly knows Jesus and who's faking it, but God knows."

 

Zoe nodded thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind having a synthetic ruby or other gem," she said, "but I wouldn't want to be a fake Christian."

 

Aunt Kim shook her head. "Me neither. That's why it's so important to make sure we have a relationship with Jesus. Those who trust in Him are the real thing--genuine Christians."

 

-Ruth I. Jay

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you a genuine Christian? How do you know? Do you think it’s because your parents are Christians? Or because you’re a good kid and act the way you see Christians act? Perhaps you attend church, read your Bible, behave well, and even pray. That’s great, but those things don’t make you a Christian. To be a true Christian, you need to trust Jesus as your Savior.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

The Lord is good...and He knows those who trust in Him. (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 <June 17, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Precious Stones (Part 2) (Wednesday)

Read: Exodus 20:1-6; Revelation 21:10-11, 18-23 

 

Zoe enjoyed learning about the various precious stones in her aunt's jewelry store. "I didn't know gems and jewels could be so interesting," Zoe said one evening.

 

"I always enjoy learning about them myself," said Aunt Kim. She pulled a book from a shelf. "Here's something you might like to read. It talks about different gems and how they've been used throughout history."

 

History didn't sound especially interesting to Zoe, so she didn't ask any more about it. Aunt Kim continued anyway. "This chapter tells how harder stones were used for making inscriptions because they would not chip or break easily. That made them very valuable. But then something terrible happened."

 

Zoe, who had been listening half-heartedly, sat up straight. "What happened?"

"Because precious stones were so beautiful and valuable, people began to worship them," said Aunt Kim.

 

"They used them as idols?" asked Zoe. Aunt Kim nodded. "I know God tells us not to worship idols or anything else," Zoe said. "We're only supposed to worship Him."

 

"That's right," said Aunt Kim. "But even Christians can put too much value on things and put them ahead of God, and that's a form of idolatry. I must admit I sometimes get priorities mixed up myself. Things--like the gems I work with--become too important to me."

 

"But gems aren't evil," said Zoe.

 

"No, but compared to Jesus, they're worthless. He's the one who saved us and promises to take care of all our needs." Aunt Kim smiled at Zoe. "Do you remember how the Bible describes the heavenly city where we'll live with Jesus someday?"

 

Zoe nodded. "It says the streets will be made of gold, and the city gates will be made of pearl."

 

"That's right," said Aunt Kim. "And it says many different precious stones will make up the foundation of the city walls--stones like jasper, sapphire, and amethyst. There, gemstones and jewels won't be anything people would ever think to worship. They'll be used for commonplace things like streets and walls--nothing but beautiful bricks. That's because all sin will be gone and we'll have the glory of God all around us. We won't ever want to worship anything but Him."

 

-Ruth I. Jay

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you ever value things—or even people—in your life more than you do God? It’s unlikely you would ever make an idol and actually bow down to it in worship. But if you look to friends, money, clothes, or other things for your worth and identity instead of Jesus, those things become idols. Nothing compares to the salvation and eternal life you have in Jesus. Worship Him alone.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Matthew 4:10 (KJV)

For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” (CSB)

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <June 18, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Precious Stones (Part 3) (Thursday)

Read: 1 John 4:9-10, 14-15

 

Zoe's vacation time with Aunt Kim had been great, and all too soon it was time to go back home. The day before she left, her aunt gave her a special present--a little gold pendant with a real diamond chip. Zoe squealed in delight. "Oh, it's so pretty!" she exclaimed. "Look at it sparkle."

 

"There's no gem with quite so much sparkle as the diamond," said Aunt Kim as Zoe gave her a hug.

 

"My mom has a diamond ring," said Zoe. "That's what I want when I get engaged!"

 

Aunt Kim laughed. "Well, I hope that won't happen for a long time. But it's true that giving a diamond to a woman is often the way a man shows his love for her. It's a gift that says he wants to be with her forever." Aunt Kim paused. "It reminds me of the gift God gave to show His love for us--and His gift is worth much, much more than a diamond."

 

"I know what His gift is!" said Zoe. "It's Jesus. That's what it says in John 3:16. I learned that verse when I was just a little kid, and our pastor says it's the most familiar verse in the Bible."

 

"Yes, I'm sure it is," said Aunt Kim. "Say it with me." So they recited the verse together. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

 

"Often a man gives a beautiful diamond to the woman he loves because he wants to spend his life with her," Aunt Kim said with a smile. "But God gave His very own Son, Jesus, to save us from sin because He wants everyone to have eternal life with Him."

 

Zoe gently ran her finger over the diamond chip in her necklace. "Thank you for this beautiful gift, Aunt Kim," she said. "Whenever I look at it, I'll remember all the fun we had when I came to visit you in Colorado, and it will also remind me of the most beautiful gift of all--God's gift of His Son, Jesus."

 

-Ruth I. Jay

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Did you know you’ve been given a gift more precious than diamonds or gold? It isn’t something made by human hands, and it isn’t something you could ever buy yourself. It’s the gift God gave the whole world—His own Son, Jesus. He gave you that gift because He loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. Have you accepted His gift? If not, trust in Jesus today!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 1 John 4:9 (KJV)

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (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 <June 19, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Secret Agent Kid (Friday)

Read: Matthew 28:16-20 

 

"As the raging walls of water collapsed and swallowed Pharaoh's army, Moses led the Hebrews safely into the..." Vanessa broke her dignified stance and peeked at her note cards. "Sinai Desert."

 

Watching from the living room sofa, Dad smiled and winked in encouragement.

 

Vanessa concluded her report. "They would have many more challenges before they reached the Promised Land, but they were free, thanks to Moses, who did what God told him to do and led his people out of Egypt. The end." She took a bow.

 

Dad clapped. "Excellent report, Vanessa. They'll love it. What's this for, again?"

"Career day. I have to speak about someone with a job I like."

Dad raised his eyebrows. "And you chose Moses? For what career?"

Vanessa sat next to him. "Secret agent."

"Interesting. How was Moses like a secret agent?"

 

"He started life on an undercover assignment as an Egyptian prince. But he was always looking out for his people, the Hebrews. Then his cover got blown, and he escaped to a safe house in Midian. Then he got further instructions from a burning bush. He went back to Egypt on a mission to save his people. And God gave him a cool spy gadget--his staff. It could change into a snake, turn water into blood, and part the ocean!"

"I never thought of it that way." Dad chuckled. "So, you'd like to be a secret agent?"

"Yeah! It would be so exciting to go on special missions to help people someday."

"Well, you can start now. Because you're a Christian, you have a mission from God too."

"I do? What mission?"

 

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to spread the gospel as an agent of Christ's kingdom. You'll be working undercover deep in enemy territory where Satan seems to be in control. And by informing your friends and neighbors about Jesus and the sacrifice He made to save us, you'll be giving them a chance to be free from bondage to sin."

 

"Cool! I accept my mission. But do I get a cool spy gadget to help me?"

 

"Of course." Dad set a Bible in her hands. "Just don't expect it to turn into a snake."

 

-John Leatherman

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you wish you could be a secret agent on a mission? If you’re a Christian, you’ve been given a special mission from God. Jesus is calling on you to deliver the most vital message in history. Share the good news of Jesus’ love and salvation with a friend today. You never know what kind of adventure you might start!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)