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

Read: Genesis 2:1-3; Mark 4:35-38; 6:30-32

Lilia pulled her paddle into the canoe and laid it over her lap. Spencer followed her direction and did the same. After a few moments of floating down the river confused, Spencer spoke up. “Hey, Lilia,” he asked his sister, “why did we stop paddling?”

“Well, we’ve been paddling down this river for close to an hour, and I think it’s time we took a rest,” said Lilia.

“But I’m not tired! I don’t think we need a rest. Let’s keep going!”

“Sometimes we need to rest even when we don’t feel like we need it. Plus, we need to rest up to paddle all the way back,” Lilia reasoned. Spencer groaned, still not convinced. “You know, I’m not the only one who tells you to rest,” Lilia said.

“I know,” Spencer huffed. “Mom and Dad do too.”

“And God tells you to rest too!” Lilia added, splashing a little water toward Spencer.

“He does?” Spencer asked, splashing water right back at his sister.

“Yes. God set aside a day after creation to rest.”

“But why?” Spencer asked. “God didn’t really need to rest after making the world, did He?”

“No, but He knows we need to rest, so He set an example for us to follow. Jesus also showed us the importance of rest. He took breaks from teaching to rest and spend time with God, and once He even took a nap on a boat during a storm. When we take time to rest, it helps us remember to trust Him instead of relying on ourselves. We can rest knowing that He saved us by dying on the cross and promises to take care of us.”

Spencer tucked his paddle next to his leg. “I guess that makes sense. Okay, we can rest for a little while.”

“Oh, and there’s one other reason I wanted to take a break from paddling.” Lilia smiled slyly. “Look up.”

Spencer looked up and gasped at the beautiful trees along the river. They arched along the riverbank and made a bright tunnel of autumn colors for the canoe to float through.

“When we rest, it’s easier to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation,” said Lilia. “We might have missed this spot if we were focused on paddling.”

Spencer just nodded, not able to take his eyes off the beautiful trees all around him.

–Naomi Zylstra

How about you? Have you ever been told to take a break even when you didn’t want to? Or maybe bedtime came around but you weren’t tired yet. Rest is important, even when we don’t feel like we need it. We often think we should keep going without a break, but Jesus tells us to rest because it helps us learn to trust Him and enjoy His blessings around us. Schedule rest into your daily life so you can be refreshed body, mind, and soul.

Today’s key verse: [Jesus] said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Rest in Jesus

Read: Psalm 119:102-105

Jalen finished his Bible reading, then checked off the corresponding reference on his sheet. “There!” he said. “I’m all done with this week’s youth group challenge. We had to read a different passage from the Bible every day this week.”

“That’s great,” said Mom. “It’s always good when others encourage you to read the Bible every day. Now it will be easier for you to keep doing it on your own.”

“Oh, I’m not planning to do that,” Jalen said.

Mom raised her eyebrows. “You’re not?”

Jalen shook his head. “I just did it to complete the challenge. I go to church and youth group every week, and we read and talk about the Bible there. I feel like that’s enough.”

That evening, as Mom walked past Jalen’s room, she reached in and turned off the light.

“Hey, Mom!” Jalen called out. “I’m in here!”

“I know,” Mom said, returning to his door. “But you had the light on quite a while, so I figured you’d had enough and it was time to turn it off.”

Jalen gave his mom a curious look as he reached for the switch. “But it’s way too dark with the light off. I’m working on my science project, and I need the light on so I can put my solar system model together.”

“But couldn’t you do that with the light off?” Mom asked. “I mean, you know the rough size of each planet, right? Can’t you just feel around for them?”

Jalen stared at her. “Well, I guess I could, but it wouldn’t turn out well!”

Mom smiled. “It’d be a lot easier to do with the light on, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, God refers to His Word—the Bible—as light,” Mom said. “It shows us how much we need Jesus to save us and helps us see the path we’re walking with Him more clearly. Even though you get that light in church and youth group, it’s also good to spend time in God’s Word on your own. I think that’s why your youth group did that challenge in the first place—to help you get in the habit of shining God’s light on your life every day.”

After a moment’s pause, Jalen nodded. “I guess that’s a light we always need to have on.”

–Deborah S. Marett

How about you? Do you spend time in God’s Word every day? It’s great to read and talk about the Bible with others at church, but it’s important to read it on your own too. That will help you learn more about Jesus and shine His light on your life every day. Get in the habit of taking a few minutes to read His Word each day, and ask God to use that time to speak to your heart.

Today’s key verse: The teaching of your word gives light. Psalm 119:130 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Read God’s Word every day

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Manuel rushed onto the stage, set some props in place, picked up some others, and rushed back off. He was the head prop person for the play the youth group was putting on at church.

When the performance ended, Manuel finished what he had to do and picked up his jacket. He sighed loudly as he walked out of the auditorium and started down the church steps.

Pastor Weber stopped him as he was coming up the stairs. “Congratulations on the fine job you did on the play!” he said. “But why the big sigh? Are you tired?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Manuel said. “Tired and discouraged about…about some other stuff.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said the pastor. “Care to talk about it?”

Manuel shrugged, but then he decided to share his problem. “It’s my dad,” he said. “Mom and I are saved, but Dad isn’t. I don’t want him to be…” Manuel hesitated. “To be lost for all eternity,” he finished in a trembling voice. “Mom and I have prayed and prayed for Dad, and I know you and the people here at church have too, but it hasn’t done any good. We keep trying to help him understand that Jesus loves him and died for him, but he’s still the same.”

“Wait a minute, Manuel,” said Pastor Weber. “How do you know our prayers haven’t done any good? How do you know your dad is the same?”

Manuel was surprised. “I sure don’t see any change,” he said.

“But you can’t see inside his heart, Manuel,” Pastor Weber reminded him. “It’s a little like the play you just put on. The audience couldn’t see all the behind-the-scenes work that took place to make it a success.”

Manuel remembered all the rehearsals and rushing around to set the stage while the curtain was closed.

“God often does a lot of behind-the-scenes work too,” Pastor Weber continued. “Our prayers and our testimony of what Jesus has done for us are part of the unseen things that will bring final results.”

Manuel nodded. “So we have to keep at it, don’t we?”

“Yep,” Pastor Weber said. “Keep at it and trust God to change your dad’s heart.”

–A. W. Smith

How about you? Are you discouraged because you haven’t seen answers to your prayers? Have you told someone about Jesus, but it hasn’t seemed to make any difference? Don’t quit. You don’t know what God has been doing in that person’s heart. It could take a very long time for them to come to Jesus, but keep praying and showing them His love. Trust God with the results.

Today’s key verse: I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: God is working, so keep praying

Read: Colossians 3:1, 8-11

Dominoes wound their way through a large room in the basement. “Wow! You have quite a domino network here,” said Amelia’s mother as she came down the stairs. She carefully picked her way to where Amelia was and dropped to the floor beside her. “How did your speech go—the one you did with Ellen in history class?”

“Fine,” said Amelia. “I did really well.”

“And how about math? You said you’ve been doing your homework every night. Is that going better now?”

“It’s going great, Mom.” Irritated, Amelia frowned. “Why all the questions?” As she spoke, her cat Penelope ran down the stairs. Before Amelia could grab her, the cat bumped a domino. One after another, they all fell. Amelia watched as her domino design collapsed all the way through the room, then glared at Penelope.

Mom cocked her head thoughtfully. “Interesting how, when one domino is tipped, it bumps the next one, isn’t it, Amelia? They all affect one another, and before you can stop them, they all fall. Lies are like that. One lie often leads to another, and each lie not only affects the liar, but often someone else too.”

Amelia sighed. “I hope it’s easier to fix lies than domino networks.”

“Do you have lies that need fixing?” asked Mom.

“I, um…yeah, I do. I didn’t do my math homework, Mom. I’m having trouble with fractions. And speaking in front of people makes my stomach hurt, so I didn’t give my speech. I skipped class, and Ellen is really mad at me. I guess I kind of knocked down some dominoes, huh?”

“Yes, you did,” Mom said. “Lying only leads to more lies and hurt, which is why the Bible says it has no place in our lives as Christians. Jesus has given us new life as God’s children, and our words should reflect His truth and love.”

Amelia nodded. “I’ll tell Ellen I’m sorry.”

“Good.” Mom smiled. “By the way, your math teacher said she’d help you after school tomorrow, and your history teacher said you and Ellen can give the speech on Friday.”

Amelia’s mouth fell open. “You knew?”

Mom laughed. “I do have a phone! Clean up the mess down here, then come upstairs and call Ellen.”

“Okay,” said Amelia. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

–Danika Cooley

How about you? Can you think of a lie you’ve told? When you lie to try to stay out of trouble, you just create a bigger mess. If you’re a Christian, God says to “take off your old self” so you can live the new life Jesus has given you—and lying is included in the list of things to get rid of. When you make a mistake and do something wrong, be honest and apologize—and ask Jesus to forgive you too.

Today’s key verse: Do not lie to one another. Colossians 3:9 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Tell the truth

Read: Matthew 6:31-34

“You look tired,” Mom said when Dylan came into the kitchen for breakfast one morning.

He sighed as he sat down for a bowl of cereal. “I am tired. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why not?” Mom carried a glass of orange juice over to him.

Dylan thanked her for the juice, then shrugged. Mom pulled out the chair beside him. “Were you thinking about Grandpa?”

“Sort of,” Dylan admitted.

“It’s hard knowing he’s in the hospital and facing some health issues,” Mom said. “But we need to keep praying that he’ll be okay.”

“I tried, but I still couldn’t sleep.” Dylan stirred his cereal around in his bowl.

Mom put a hand on his arm. “Sometimes our worries are strong and it feels almost impossible to get over them,” she said. “But God is stronger.”

Mom got up and grabbed her phone from the counter. She tapped on the screen a few times before stepping back over to Dylan.

“Matthew chapter six talks about worry. It tells us not to worry about tomorrow.” Mom showed him the phone and pointed out the verse. “It’s not always easy to let go of our worries, especially when we’re concerned about someone we love,” she said. “But God is big enough and strong enough to take care of anything. He sent His own Son to save us when we were lost in sin, and He promises to always be with us and take care of us. It doesn’t do any good to worry and lose sleep—it’s much better to trust everything to Him.”

Dylan nodded as he glanced at the verse again. “Do you think we could visit Grandpa today?”

“I think he’d like that,” said Mom. “And I know he’d tell you the same thing I did. He appreciates your concern and prayers, but he doesn’t want you to worry.”

“Yeah, I don’t think Grandpa ever worries about anything,” Dylan said as he finally dug into his cereal.

Mom smiled. “It doesn’t seem like it, does it?” she said. “If only we could all learn to be like that.”

–Bethany Acker

How about you? Are you worried about something? Maybe a loved one is sick or you’re facing another difficult situation and don’t know how it will turn out. Maybe you’ve been so worried that you’ve even lost sleep because of it. Instead of worrying, God wants you to trust Him to take care of things. Worrying won’t change anything, but God is in control of everything, and He loves you and promises to take care of you. You don’t have to worry.

Today’s key verse: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Don’t worry