Keys for Kids Devotional: October/November/December 2017

By Keys for Kids Ministries

The Keys for Kids devotional helps kids learn about God's Word and encourages them in their faith through engaging stories and daily Bible verses. E-book format includes fun extras like activities, journal pages, and a creature feature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9780997399868

Book preview

OCTOBER 1

One, Two, Three

READ: JOHN 10:30; 14:16-20, 26

Mom, what does ‘Trinity’ mean? Kelsey asked one afternoon. Pastor Banks mentioned it in his sermon this morning."

It means that God the Father, God the Son—that’s Jesus—and God the Holy Spirit are three persons, yet they are one God, explained Mom. The word ‘Trinity’ isn’t found in the Bible, but the idea of one God in three persons is found in several places. I’ll show you a few of them.

Just then the doorbell rang. It was Mom’s sister, who had come to drop off some tools she had borrowed. Kelsey grabbed a book and read on the couch while Mom and Aunt Lilliana chatted in the kitchen.

Aunt Lilliana had just left when Dad hurried into the room. Honey, have you seen my black jacket? he asked Kelsey’s mother.

I think I saw it in a closet recently, said Mom. I’ll go look.

A little while later, Mom came back into the room and reached for her Bible. Now, she said, let’s see if I can find some verses and think of an example to help you understand the Trinity.

Kelsey smiled. Actually, I already thought of an example—you!

Me! said Mom, looking puzzled.

Kelsey nodded. You’re just one person, she said, but you’re Aunt Lilliana’s sister, Dad’s wife, and my mother—one, two, three! As a sister, wife, and mother, you do different things for all three of us, but you’re still just one you.

LOIS A. TEUFEL

GOD IS THREE-IN-ONE

KEY VERSE

MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 (NIV)

DO YOU FIND THE TRINITY HARD TO UNDERSTAND? That’s because God is bigger than what our human minds can fully grasp. So don’t worry if you don’t understand God completely. Keep learning all you can, and remember that the most important things the Bible says about Him are things you can understand— that He loves you, died for you, and will always be with you.

OCTOBER 2

Flickering Fireflies

READ: MATTHEW 5:14-16

The evening was cool and clear. The earthy smell of the forest filled the air, and stars shone brightly through the trees. A group of boys and their teacher lingered around the dying campfire at their youth group retreat. Wow! Malachi said, craning his head back. The stars are really bright tonight.

Isaac looked up toward the sky. They just look brighter because there are no other lights around, he said. They stand out more against the darkness.

I see a firefly, said Malachi. Look! Over there. He pointed toward a tree a few feet away from the fire. The light of the firefly flickered in an on-and-off pattern.

Maybe he’s sending a message in Morse code, Isaac said. Quick, Malachi, figure out what he’s trying to say. The boys laughed as they watched the firefly blink on and off.

Mr. Sidney, their teacher, looked thoughtful. Fireflies are amazing little creatures, he said, and they have a good lesson to teach us as Christians. Can you guess what it might be?

The boys were silent for a moment. I know! said Isaac. That we need to let our lights shine for Jesus.

Yeah, said Malachi, but not like fireflies do.

Why not? asked Mr. Sidney.

Because whenever our lights are shining, they help draw others to Jesus. So we want them to shine all the time, not flicker on and off.

Mr. Sidney nodded. Good thinking. What things might keep our lights from shining?

I think our lights flicker when we’re unkind or selfish or do things we know are wrong, Isaac said quietly. Like lying to our parents or cheating on a test.

Or saying something mean to someone, added Malachi.

You’re right, said Mr. Sidney. Doing things like that doesn’t show others who Jesus is and how He’s changed us.

So how can we keep our lights for Jesus from flickering? asked Isaac.

LINDA J. DAHLIN

BE A STEADY LIGHT FOR JESUS

KEY VERSE

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

MATTHEW 5:16 (NIV)

DOES YOUR LIGHT FOR JESUS SHINE ALL THE TIME, OR DOES IT FLICKER ON AND OFF? Do you consistently treat others with kindness, or only if they’re your friends or you’re in a good mood? Your words and actions affect how other people see you, and Jesus wants you to live in a way that draws others to Him. Let His light shine through you so others will see it and want to know Him too.

OCTOBER 3

Invisible Hands

READ: PSALM 18:31-36

I knew I’d win a prize. I just knew it! Josh stroked the shiny blue ribbon he was holding and grinned, remembering how quickly his horse had stood straight and still, with ears flicked forward. Blaze was the best because he had the best trainer—me!"

You did a good job training your horse, Dad said, but remember, you didn’t train him alone.

Yes, I did, said Josh. No one helped me—at least not much. I don’t need help. I know everything about... He paused as Dad suddenly slowed down and stopped at the side of the road.

Aha! Dad said. I thought I saw something odd.

What? asked Josh, peering out the window. He got out and followed Dad to a fence that ran beside the road.

Look. Dad stopped beside one of the thick, round fence posts. A big turtle sat on top of it, sleeping in the sun.

Josh was flabbergasted. How did he climb up there?

Well, I’d say someone must have put him there, said Dad. But he probably never even saw the hands that picked him up! He lifted the turtle and set him on the ground. Or the hands that put him down, Dad added. When he sees his friends again, maybe he’ll tell them—in turtle language, of course—that he got up on that post and back down again all by himself.

Josh had a feeling Dad was talking about more than just the turtle.

Invisible hands, said Dad softly, and I’d say that’s the help you had in training Blaze—God’s invisible hands.

You mean God helped me? asked Josh. God helped me train a horse?

Dad nodded. God gave you a brain and arms and legs and the ability to learn how to train Blaze, he said. Right?

Well, yeah, Josh said thoughtfully. So…

So instead of bragging about your horse training skills, maybe you should thank God for all He’s allowed you to do and give Him the credit for your accomplishments, said Dad. After all, where would you be if He hadn’t created you and given you all your abilities—or sent His Son to die for your sins?

JANE K. CHASE

GIVE GOD CREDIT FOR YOUR ABILITIES

KEY VERSE

IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE PROUD, HE SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:17 (NLV)

DO YOU GIVE GOD THE CREDIT FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, LIKE GETTING GOOD GRADES OR WINNING AT SPORTS? Or do you let others think it’s all you? It’s okay to feel good about things you do well, but don’t forget to thank God for each success—after all, He’s the one who created you, saved you from sin, and blessed you with everything you have and are able to do. Nothing you do compares to what He’s done.

OCTOBER 4

The Power of a Storm

READ: PSALM 29

Kaden dragged his toe in the dirt as the swing went back and forth, back and forth. He was hardly swinging at all.

Isn’t swinging supposed to put a smile on your face?

Kaden looked up and cracked a grin. It was his friend, Mr. Snyder.

I saw you sitting here as I walked by and noticed you seem a bit down, Mr. Snyder said as he took a vacant swing. What’s nagging at you?

Kaden kicked at the dirt again. Oh, it’s just that I can’t ever seem to get things right. I really want to live the way God wants me to, but I can’t seem to get rid of my bad attitude or stop getting into trouble.

I see, said Mr. Snyder. That reminds me of something that happened to me last hunting season.

What was that? Kaden asked.

Well, Mr. Snyder began, I had tracked a herd of elk to the top of a hill when a thunderstorm came out of nowhere. By the time I reached the top, thunder was crashing and the elk were gone. I crouched behind a rock, wondering what I should do, when suddenly, just a few yards from me, lightning struck the ground!

Kaden’s eyes opened wide. Whoa! What did you do?

Mr. Snyder laughed. I ran down the hill like crazy! Never stopped running until I reached my truck and jumped inside. What a storm! But you know what I realized? I was so consumed with the power of the storm that never once did I think of anything else. And that taught me a lesson.

I need to think about storms and then I won’t sin? asked Kaden in surprise.

Mr. Snyder shook his head. The more we fill our minds with thoughts about God’s awesome power and greatness, the less room we have for thoughts of sin.

Oh, Kaden said. How do we do that?

Praying, reading the Bible, going to church—all those things remind us who God is and everything He’s done for us through Jesus so we can worship Him and know He’s always with us, even when we mess up.

REBECCA THOMAS

FILL YOUR MIND WITH GOD’S GREATNESS

KEY VERSE

HONOR THE LORD FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME. WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE SPLENDOR OF HIS HOLINESS. PSALM 29:2 (NLT)

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH SIN IN YOUR LIFE? Even as Christians, sin pulls and tugs at our hearts every day, and it can be discouraging when we keep messing up. This is why the Bible tells us to keep our minds on Jesus. When we think about how great He is and everything He’s done for us, we’ll be less tempted to sin. Spend time today thinking and meditating on God’s greatness.

OCTOBER 5

School Pictures

READ: COLOSSIANS 3:14-17

What do you think of this one?" Sophie asked her older sister. Kara was helping her choose an outfit to wear for her school pictures the next day.

Why don’t you pick something simpler? Kara suggested. Remember, Mom said you have to pick clothes without too bold of a pattern so they will look good in the picture.

Sophie slid the shirt she was holding on a hanger and hung it back up in her closet. Okay.

So, how was Sunday school this morning? Kara asked as she searched through the clothes hanging in Sophie’s closet.

Sophie shrugged. All right, I guess. I just wish it was more exciting.

Kara frowned. I thought you enjoyed Sunday school.

I do. I just wish there was more time for games and playing with my friends. Maybe then more kids would come to church!

I know it can be hard to sit, Kara said. And the teachers do their best to make the lessons fun. But sometimes you can get so focused on playing games and seeing your friends that you miss what God wants to teach you.

What do you mean? Sophie asked.

Well, it’s like your school pictures. If you wear a shirt with a busy pattern, the people who see the picture will focus on your clothes instead of your beautiful smile.

So is playing games with my friends bad?

Kara pulled another shirt, a pale blue one, out of the closet. No. They just shouldn’t distract you from the real reason we go to church— to worship Jesus and learn about Him. She held the shirt up against Sophie, studying it. See? It’s like this shirt. It brings out the blue in your eyes without distracting people from what they’re supposed to be looking at.

My face! Sophie smiled. I get it. We go to church to worship and learn about Jesus, and I should be focusing on Him. She took the blue shirt from Kara. You know what? I think I like this one.

JESSICA KLEEBERGER

FOCUS ON JESUS AT CHURCH

KEY VERSE

LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM, TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER…SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD. COLOSSIANS 3:16

WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON WHEN YOU GO TO CHURCH? It can be fun to play games, do crafts, and visit with friends, but we shouldn’t let that distract us from the real reason we go to church—to learn about Jesus and worship Him. Praying, singing songs, and reading the Bible together are all ways we worship Jesus and learn more about Him. When you go to church, focus on Him.

OCTOBER 6

God Never Leaves

READ: PSALM 34:18; MATTHEW 28:20

Mia watched the windshield wipers sweep away the raindrops as she brushed away her tears. The autumn sky was gray as they drove home from her grandma’s funeral.

Why did God let Grandma die, Mom? Mia asked.

Mom turned around, and Dad looked at her in the rearview mirror with sad eyes.

Cancer kills a lot of people, Mia, said Mom. "Grandma loved