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April 9th: The Day God Sent Fire from Heaven (And Everyone Was Watching) | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

🎧 The Day God Sent Fire from Heaven (And Everyone Was Watching) | Carpooling with Jesus

Big Idea: God is the real deal—He can do the impossible.

Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus!
This short, faith-filled devotional podcast is designed for elementary-aged kids and their families—perfect for car rides, breakfast tables, or homeschool breaks.

In today’s episode, we head up Mount Carmel with the prophet Elijah to watch a fiery showdown with the prophets of Baal. It’s a true Bible story about bold faith, standing strong, and how God proves He is the one true God—the only one who can do the impossible.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day:

1 Kings 18:24 –
"Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

💬 Family Conversation Starter:

Before you unbuckle, ask each other:
“What’s something that feels impossible to you—but you know God can handle it?”

✅ In This Episode:

Elijah’s bold challenge on Mount Carmel
What Jesus would say to you about trusting God’s power
A real-life story about standing strong
A fun, faith-filled reminder that God can do the impossible

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode!

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ZQq3iq
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Zt7lvO
📺 YouTube: https://bit.ly/YoutubeCPWJ
💻 Podbean: https://bit.ly/PodbeanCPWJ
📱 Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/CPWJFB
🚗 Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCPWJ

April 8th: When You Feel Alone: The Elijah Story Kids Need to Hear | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

🎧 When You Feel Alone: The Elijah Story Kids Need to Hear

Carpooling with Jesus
Big Idea: You’re never riding solo—God is always with you.

🚗 Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus—the short, fun, faith-filled podcast for kids and families!
In today’s episode, we dive into the powerful Bible story of Elijah, a prophet who felt totally alone while doing the right thing. Ever felt like you're the only one trying to be kind, make good choices, or stand up for what’s right? Elijah did too! But guess what—God reminded him (and reminds us!) that we’re never truly alone.

Perfect for your morning school drop-off, homeschool breaks, or family devotional time, this 5-minute episode will help your kids:
✅ Understand the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19
✅ Know that God is always with them
✅ Feel encouraged when they’re standing alone
✅ Connect the Bible to their real life

📖 Verse of the Day:

1 Kings 19:10 – “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

🗣️ Family Conversation Starter:

Before you unbuckle, ask each other:
“Can you think of a time when you felt alone, but later realized you weren’t?”

❤️ Episode Highlights:

Real-life story from church ministry
Jesus’ encouragement for when we feel left out
Why God’s always working—even when we don’t see it
A message every kid needs to hear in today’s world

🔔 Subscribe & Share!

Don’t miss future episodes that turn everyday car rides into faith filled moments.
🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ZQq3iq
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Zt7lvO
📺 YouTube: https://bit.ly/YoutubeCPWJ
💻 Podbean: https://bit.ly/PodbeanCPWJ
📱 Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/CPWJFB
🚗 Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCPWJ

April 7th: 5 Smooth Stones and a Giant-Sized Faith | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — your 5-minute devotional podcast that turns everyday rides and routines into real moments of faith for kids and families!

Today, we’re zooming in on a famous Bible story with a surprising twist—David and Goliath… but not just the big battle. We’re focusing on the five smooth stones David picked before he faced the giant.

📖 Verse of the Day:

1 Samuel 17:40 –
"Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag, and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."

💡 In This Episode:

What David’s five stones represent: courage, faith, preparation, obedience, and trust
How God uses our choices—even small ones—for big things
A Lego contest story featuring a kid named Beckett and his “5 heart-stones”
Why what you carry into a challenge matters

🧠 One Thing for the Ride:

God can use what you choose to do something great.

🧱 Beckett’s Story:

Beckett entered a Lego contest and felt nervous. But instead of focusing on the challenge, he chose five “stones” to carry with him in his heart:
🧠 Creativity
💛 Kindness
💪 Confidence
😄 Joy
🙏 Faith

Even though things didn’t go perfectly, Beckett stayed calm, kept going, and made something amazing—because he chose the right things before the moment got big.

💬 What Would Jesus Say?

"I see what you carry with you—and when you choose faith, courage, and kindness, I can do great things through you. Trust Me!"

❓ Question of the Day:

If you could pick five things to carry into a big moment—what would they be?

🙌 Parent Tip:

This is a perfect conversation starter in the car or around the table:
“What are the five things we want to carry with you today or in tough moments you face?”

Please encourage your child to write theirs on a sticky note or card!

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ZQq3iq
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Zt7lvO
📺 YouTube: https://bit.ly/YoutubeCPWJ
💻 Podbean: https://bit.ly/PodbeanCPWJ
📱 Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCPWJ
🚗 Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/CPWJFB

April 4th: Where Is Jesus Now? (And What He’s Doing Might Surprise You) | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — the quick, uplifting devotional podcast for families on the go! Whether you’re in the car, eating breakfast, or chilling at home, we’re so glad you’re here.

Today’s BIG question is one Pastor Justin wondered about as a kid:
👉 Where is Jesus right now?

Let’s dive in and see what the Bible says about where Jesus went—and what He’s still doing for us today!

📖 Bible Verse of the Day

Acts 1:9 –
"He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight."

💡 In This Episode:

What happened when Jesus returned to heaven
What it means that He’s seated at God’s right hand
Why it matters that Jesus is praying for you right now
A real story about a nervous band concert and the power of encouragement

💬 What Would Jesus Say?

"I’m in heaven, seated next to God the Father, praying for you because I love you. Even though you can’t see Me, I’m always with you."

🎸 Will’s Story:

Will was nervous before his first concert. His friend Jack said, “You got this,” and it changed everything. That moment of support gave Will the strength he needed.

Just like Jack wasn’t on stage but still had Will’s back, Jesus is cheering us on from heaven—praying for us, loving us, and giving us strength.

🙌 Living It Out:

Jesus is alive, in heaven, and always with us.
He prays for you because He loves you deeply.
You’re never alone—Jesus is your biggest encourager.

🙏 Friday Prayer:

"God, thank You for this week. Help us finish strong today and bless our weekend with joy and rest. Amen."

❓ Question of the Day:

What’s something you can pray about today?

📣 Parent Tip:

Love this podcast? 🎧 Share it with another family!
Let’s keep spreading truth, love, and faith—one car ride at a time.

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

April 3rd: Why Did Jesus Pray? (And What That Means for You) | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — the quick, fun, faith-based podcast for kids and families on the go. Whether you're driving to school, having breakfast, or just hanging out at home, we’re so glad you’re here!

Today, Pastor Justin is answering a question lots of kids (and adults!) wonder about:
👉 If Jesus is God… why did He pray?

Great question. Let’s find out together.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day

Luke 22:42 –
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

This verse is one of the most powerful prayers Jesus ever prayed. Right before He was arrested, He cried out to God—and trusted Him completely.

💡 In This Episode:

Why Jesus, even as God’s Son, still prayed
What prayer means (it’s not about fancy words!)
How we can talk to God anytime, anywhere
Jake’s story about his nervous swim meet—and a simple prayer that made all the difference

💬 What Would Jesus Say?

"I prayed because I needed to stay close to God. And I want you to pray too. You don’t need fancy words — just talk to God like a best friend because He’s always listening."

🏊 Jake’s Story:

Jake was nervous before his first swim meet. What if he messed up? His dad reminded him:
“Just pray.”
So Jake whispered a simple prayer:
"God, I’m nervous. Help me do my best."
And guess what? He felt peace—and swam with confidence. Prayer helped him remember: God was with him.

🙌 Living It Out:

Jesus prayed to stay close to His Father.
We can pray too—when we’re scared, thankful, excited, or confused.
You don’t need big words—just an open heart.

❓ Question of the Day:

What’s something you can pray about today?
Before you jump out of the car, take a moment to share with your family!

📣 Parent Tip:

Loving this podcast? Share it with another family you know.
Big faith starts with small, honest conversations—just like this one.

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

April 2nd: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? (The Answer Every Kid Should Hear) | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — the 5-minute podcast that turns your car rides, breakfast table, and family time into faith-filled moments.

In today’s episode, Pastor Justin is diving into a big, important question:
👉 Why did Jesus have to die?

It’s a question many kids wonder about — and the answer is beautiful, powerful, and full of hope.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day

Romans 5:8 –
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

💡 In This Episode:

What sin does and how Jesus fixed it
Why Jesus chose to die (it wasn’t an accident!)
How Jesus’ death brings us close to God
Emma’s classmate Carissa and the story of second chances

🧠 Key Takeaway for Kids:

Jesus died for you because He loves you—even before you got anything right. And He rose again so you can live with Him forever.

💬 What Would Jesus Say?

"I love you so much that I gave my life for you. You don’t have to be perfect. I died so you could be forgiven and close to God forever in heaven."

✏️ Carissa’s Story:

Carissa forgot to study for her math test and failed. She felt awful. But her teacher gave her a second chance—and even offered to help her study.
That’s a lot like what Jesus does for us:
✅ We mess up.
✅ He steps in.
✅ He offers us grace, love, and a fresh start.

🙌 Living It Out:

Talk to Jesus when you mess up—He already paid the price.
Thank Him for loving you before you ever got it right.
Give others the same kind of grace He gives you.

❓ Question of the Day:

What are other ways we can go to Jesus for help when we need it?

Use that question to spark great conversation before drop-off!

📣 Parent Tip:

Love this episode? Share it with another parent or friend!
Let’s spread God’s love—one car ride at a time.

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

April 1st: God’s Foolish Plan?! Why the Cross Didn’t Make Sense (But Saved the World) | Carpooling with Jesus Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — the 5-minute podcast that helps kids and families grow in faith during everyday moments. Today’s episode lands on April Fool’s Day, but we’re skipping the pranks and diving into something truly surprising: the “foolishness” of God.

Wait, what?! Don’t worry—it’s not what it sounds like. Let’s find out what the Bible really means.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day

1 Corinthians 1:25 –
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

💡 In This Episode:

Why God’s ways sometimes seem confusing
Why the cross looked foolish to the world—but was actually God’s perfect plan
How Colby’s “missed race” became a moment to help others
What Jesus would say to us when things don’t make sense

💬 Jesus Says:

"People don’t always understand the way I do things. I came to serve, not to be served — and that seemed strange. But God’s ways are always best, even when they don’t make sense at first."

🧠 Key Takeaway for Kids:

Even when things seem confusing or silly, God’s plan is always bigger and better.

🏃 Colby’s Story:

Colby thought he was going to run a race—but ended up helping instead.
Here’s what happened: ✅ He lent shoes to a friend
✅ He helped someone who got hurt
✅ He encouraged others and made a great memory
👉 Sometimes the “foolish” choice turns out to be the wise one.

🙌 Living It Out:

God’s wisdom is different than the world’s
When things feel upside down, trust God’s plan
Ask: “Could this be part of something bigger?”

❓ Question of the Day:

What’s something that seems silly... but might actually be wise?
Talk about it as a family before the ride ends!

📣 Parent Tip:

Loving the podcast? Share it with another family today.
This is the perfect way to spark spiritual conversations with your kids—on the go.

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

March 31st: What Does God Look Like? (The Answer Might Surprise You) | Carpooling with Jesus Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus — the podcast that turns car rides and breakfast time into faith-filled moments. Whether you’re on your way to school, learning at home, or just hanging out as a family, this episode is packed with love, kindness, and one BIG question:
👉 What does God look like?

📖 Bible Verse of the Day

John 14:9 – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

When we look at Jesus — the way He loved, helped, healed, and forgave — we see the heart of God. Jesus gives us the clearest picture of who God is!

💡 In This Episode

Learn why we can't see God the way we see people
Discover how Jesus helps us “see” God through His actions
Hear a heartwarming story about Pastor Justin’s classmate Brian
Learn how YOU can reflect God’s love today

🧠 Key Takeaway for Kids

When you show kindness and love like Jesus did, you show the world what God is like.

🙌 Living It Out

Look for someone who might be feeling left out or lonely
Show them kindness—share, sit with them, smile
Talk about how Jesus treated others and how we can do the same

🗣️ Question of the Day

How can you show God's love to someone today?
Pause and talk about it with your family before the ride ends!

📣 Parent Tip

If this episode encouraged your family, share it with another family!
Faith starts with small conversations — and this podcast is the perfect place to begin.

🔗 Listen & Subscribe

March 28th: The Golden Rule (again) | Carpooling with Jesus Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus! Whether you’re in the car, at the breakfast table, or working on homeschool, we’re so glad you’re here. Today, we’re talking about one of the most important things Jesus taught us — treating others the way we want to be treated.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day:
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." – Matthew 7:12

🌟 Big Idea:
The Golden Rule is all about treating others the way we want to be treated. If you want kindness, be kind. If you want to feel included, include others. This is how we show God’s love in our everyday lives.

💡 What Would Jesus Say?
If Jesus were sitting with us, He’d say:
"I know it’s hard to be kind when someone isn’t nice to you, but remember — you can make a big difference by choosing kindness. When you treat others the way you want to be treated, you’re showing God’s love to the world around you."

🍎 Emily and Zoe's Story:
Emily noticed her friend Zoe sitting alone at lunch because she forgot her lunch. Emily remembered the Golden Rule and decided to share her lunch with Zoe. Zoe’s face lit up, and they had a great time together. By treating Zoe the way she’d want to be treated, Emily showed kindness and made Zoe feel included.

❤️ Living It Out:

If you want kindness, be kind.
If you want people to listen to you, listen to them.
You can change the world by showing love and respect to the people around you — at home, school, or even on the playground.

🙌 Parent Tip:
If you love this podcast, share it with a friend! Faith-filled conversations start right here.

📣 Question of the Day:
Who can you show kindness to today?

🔗 Listen & Subscribe:
🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ZQq3iq
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Zt7lvO
📺 YouTube: https://bit.ly/YoutubeCPWJ
💻 Podbean: https://bit.ly/PodbeanCPWJ
📱 Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/CPWJFB
🚗 Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCPWJ

March 27th: Doing Everything for God's Glory | Carpooling with Jesus Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

👋 Hey Friends!
Welcome to Carpooling with Jesus! Whether you're in the car, sitting around the table, or just got home from school, I'm so glad you're here. Today, we're talking about something super important — doing everything for God's glory.

📖 Bible Verse of the Day:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." – Colossians 3:23-24

🌟 Big Idea:
Whether you're working, playing, or helping at home — give it your all, just like you're doing it for God. When we give our best, we honor Him with our effort.

💡 What Would Jesus Say?
If Jesus were here, He'd say:
"I see you. Whether you're studying hard, practicing out on the field, cleaning up at home, or just being kind to others — do it for Me. I love seeing you give your best."

🏆 Robin’s Story:
Robin had a big math test coming up. She wasn’t excited, but her mom reminded her to do her best for God. Robin prayed before her test and gave her best effort. When she got her grade — an A! — she felt proud. Not just because of the grade, but because she knew she honored God with her hard work.

🛠️ Living It Out:
Today, whatever you do — whether it's homework, BMX practice, building Legos, or helping at home — do it for Jesus.

🙌 Parent Tip:
If you enjoy this podcast, share it with a friend! Also, if your child has a story or topic they'd love to hear about, message us on Instagram.

📣 Question of the Day:
What’s one thing you can do for God's glory today?