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

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Unseen but Loved Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

It was Grandparents’ Day at Finley’s school, and the kids were taking turns introducing their grandparents to the class. When it was Finley’s turn, he went forward and proudly introduced his grandparents.

“Grandma and Grandpa Smith are visiting from Arizona,” he said. “They like to travel, and they’re going to take me to the Grand Canyon the next time I visit.” Finley turned to his other grandmother. “Grandma Peters lives here, so I see her a lot. She’s teaching me how to play the piano, and she always makes me laugh.”

Then Finley held up a picture for everyone to see. “This is my other grandpa. He’s not here today because he’s in heaven. He went there before I was born, so I never saw him. But I feel like I know him because Dad and Mom and Grandma tell me all about him. He was always helping people, and he was a great baseball pitcher.” Finley smiled and returned to his seat beside his grandparents.

That evening Finley told his mom and dad about Grandparents’ Day. “I’m glad you tell me about Grandpa Peters and how he was always kind and loved to help people,” Finley said. “I feel like I love him even though I’ve never seen him.”

Dad smiled. “I love someone I’ve never seen too,” he said. “Do you know who that is?”

Finley looked uncertain for a moment, then smiled. “I think you mean Jesus,” he said. “I love Jesus too. So do Mom and all my grandparents.”

“Yes, we do,” said Mom. “You love Grandpa Peters because we tell you how good and kind he was. Why do you love Jesus?”

“Well, the Bible tells me how good He is,” replied Finley. “He loves me too! And He gives me lots of good things—you and Dad and my friends and everything I need. Best of all, He died for me, and He’s always with me—I can talk to Him anytime.”

“That’s exactly right, Finley,” said Dad. “We love Jesus even though we’ve never seen Him—but someday we will see Him, won’t we?”

“Yep!” Finley grinned. “Just like Grandpa Peters is seeing Him in heaven now!”

–Teresa M. Beverly

How about you? Do you love Jesus even though you’ve never seen Him? He loves you—so much that He died to take the punishment you deserve so your sins could be forgiven. Love Him in return. Confess your sin and trust Him as your Savior. Then you can look forward to seeing Him face-to-face in heaven someday. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. (ERV) 1 Peter 1:8

Today's Key Thought: Return Jesus’s love

Wisdom and Innocence Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 10:16-20; John 14:15-17, 25-27

Joy took a deep breath of the fresh afternoon air. Her older brother paused now and then to examine a tree or check out animal prints. Living near the woods was nice because you could take a nature walk whenever you wanted to.

Suddenly, the kids heard a menacing rattle. James flung his arm in front of Joy and stopped her from continuing down the trail. There, just a few feet from where they stood, was a large snake rattling its tail. When it rose to assume a striking position, Joy felt her mouth dry instantly with fear.

“Stay still and quiet,” James whispered. A few seconds later, he laughed. “Notice anything about that snake, Joy?”

“It’s blue,” Joy whispered, confused. “So, it’s not a rattlesnake?” Michigan had only one kind of venomous snake, the Massasauga rattlesnake. Because of where they lived, Mom ensured they knew all about it.

“Nope, I’m pretty sure it’s a blue racer,” said James. “See how there’s no rattle on its tail?”

The snake lowered its head and darted down the path away from them.

“Whoa, it’s fast!” said Joy.

“That’s why they’re called blue racers!”

Joy was in awe. “Blue racers are wise to make us think they’re rattlers. The way it shook its tail against the leaves sounded like the sound real rattlesnakes make!”

The siblings followed a gentle cooing sound around the next bend. Perched on a high tree branch was a grey bird. “That’s a mourning dove,” Joy noted. “I’d rather see birds than snakes!”

“Hey, sis, I just thought of something! Remember that verse in Matthew Mom was talking to us about last week?”

“The one about snakes and doves…” Joy gasped. “That verse said, ‘Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’”

James nodded. “Jesus wanted His disciples to spread the good news of how He came to save us. He warned them that some people would not want to accept their message, so they had to be wise about how they shared it—in both their words and their actions,” James recalled. “Like them, we need to trust God to help us share His love and truth with wisdom and innocence.”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you ever worry about what to say to someone who doesn’t know Jesus? Jesus told His disciples that sharing the truth about Him wouldn’t be easy, but He promised they wouldn’t have to do it alone. If you are a child of God, you have His Holy Spirit inside you to help you and guide you. Rely on Him to give you the wisdom you need as you share the truth and love of Jesus with others.

Today's Key Verse: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (NIV) Colossians 4:5

Today's Key Thought: Be wise in sharing Jesus

Burger Blessings Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Read: Daniel 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“What beautiful zucchini!” Mom said as she and Alex walked in their garden. “It’s amazing how God makes all kinds of wonderful food grow for us, isn’t it? He’s so good!”

Alex smiled and nodded, then looked down as his phone buzzed with a text message. “Nicholas’s sister Joceyln is driving him to that new burger place down the road, and he invited me to go with them,” he said. “Can I go?” Mom agreed, so Alex hurried off to join his friends.

When they sat down at the restaurant with their food, Alex remembered his mom’s words. If zucchini was something to be thankful for, burgers were blessings for sure!

I want to thank God for the food, Alex thought. He usually prayed before meals, but he hadn’t known Nicholas and Joceyln very long and didn’t know if they were Christians. Will they understand? he wondered.

Nicholas took a big bite of his hamburger, then looked at Alex. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Alex hesitated as Joceyln came to the table with napkins, then sat down and unwrapped her sandwich. He waited to see if she would bow her head. When she didn’t, Alex decided to ask about it, even though he was a bit nervous. “Um, do you mind if I pray? I just want to thank God for the good food He’s given us.”

To Alex’s surprise, Nicholas and Joceyln both looked up from their burgers and smiled. “That would be great!” said Joceyln. “We completely forgot to do that.” Then they all bowed their heads.

When they finished, Joceyln grinned at Alex. “I’m glad you reminded us to pray. It’s good to talk to God throughout the day and thank Him for all He’s given us—even burgers!”

“You made me think of Daniel in the Bible,” said Nicholas. “He prayed to God even though the king said he’d be thrown into a lion’s den if he did. He prayed during a scary time, but it’s just as important to pray during good times too.”

Joceyln nodded. “Jesus wants us to go to Him in all situations—to thank Him in good times and look to Him for help in times of trouble.” She smiled. “And now, here’s something else you can thank Him for—ice cream sundaes on me!”

–Margaret M. Primrose

How about you? Did you know you can pray to God anytime? Daniel prayed when people were trying to harm him and he needed strength from the Lord. But we can also pray to thank Him for good things as they’re happening. Jesus gave His life to save you so you could have a relationship with Him. Talk to Him throughout your day, asking Him for help with your problems and thanking Him for blessings in your life.

Today's Key Verse: Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. (NKJV) Psalm 55:17

Today's Key Thought: Go to God in prayer

Friendship Seeds Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Read: Galatians 6:9-10

Imani plopped down in the grass next to the garden. “I’m never talking to that girl again!”

“Who? And why not?” asked Dad without looking up. He was planting a row of carrots.

“Natalia—the new girl down the street. I’m tired of trying to be friends with her. I said hi to her three times, and all she did was look down. Then this morning I invited her to play kickball with some of the other neighborhood kids, but she said, ‘No, thanks,’ and quickly walked away. She’s so rude!” Imani spotted the garden hose and remembered her little patch of marigolds near her bedroom window. She began to uncoil the long green hose.

“What are you doing with that?” asked Dad.

“It’s pretty hot outside, so I’m going to water my flowers,” Imani replied.

“Why bother?” said Dad. “The seeds aren’t growing. You planted them ten days ago, but I don’t see anything happening. They must be duds.” He fanned his face with his cap.

“You’ve gotta be joking, Dad,” said Imani. “You know it takes time for seeds to grow. Just watch. Any day now flowers will be sticking their little green leaves up out of the ground.”

Dad smiled. “You seem to have faith that those marigold seeds you planted will grow. Why don’t you have faith in the friendship seeds you’ve been planting?”

“Friendship seeds?” asked Imani in surprise.

“That’s right,” said Dad. “Each time you reach out and show kindness to Natalia, you’re planting a seed of friendship. Just like your marigolds, you can’t always see anything growing at first, but I think you should keep watering the seeds you planted. Don’t give up trying to be friends with Natalia. Be patient with her and trust Jesus to make the seeds of friendship you plant grow. Remember that He is always kind and patient with us even when we don’t respond right away, and He’ll help you be that kind of friend too.”

Imani dropped the hose and turned off the water. “I’ll take care of this later,” she said. “I’m going to water my friendship seeds instead and see if Natalia wants to come over for ice cream.”

–Teresa M. Beverly

How about you? Do you get discouraged when your efforts to reach out to others aren’t appreciated or accepted? Do you keep on being friendly? Remember that making friends is a lot like planting seeds—it takes time for friendship to grow. Trust Jesus to help you plant friendship seeds by showing His love to others and to make the seeds you plant grow.

Today's Key Verse: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (NLT) Galatians 6:9

Today's Key Thought: Plant seeds of friendship

What God Sees Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 51:1-10; Matthew 23:25-28

“Wow, Mom! Look at that huge caramel apple!” Zayne exclaimed when he and his mom walked into the grocery store. “Can I get it to take to school tomorrow?”

“Well, a regular apple would be better for you, but that one is a beauty,” Mom said. “Okay. You can have it this time.”

During class the next morning, Zayne thought about the caramel apple in his lunch bag. His mouth watered as he imagined biting into it. He was glad when lunchtime finally came. Sandwich first, Zayne told himself. Then the carrot sticks. At last he pulled out the apple. He held it up to show his friends, and one of them tried to grab it. Zayne laughed and quickly bit into it. To his great dismay, the inside of the apple was soft and brown, and it tasted horrible! He tried to just eat the caramel on the outside, but he kept getting some of the soft apple with it.

When Zayne got home, he opened the refrigerator to find a snack. There in the fruit bin were several shiny red apples. He looked at them, but chose a cheese stick instead. “I don’t trust apples anymore,” he told Mom when she took one out. “The one we bought yesterday was no good. I had to throw it away.”

“What a shame,” said Mom, shaking her head. “It was so pretty!” She grinned at Zayne. “But you know, it’s a good reminder of how we can be like that apple.”

“We can?” asked Zayne. “How?”

“People aren’t always what they appear to be,” Mom explained. “It’s pretty easy for us to hide thoughts and feelings from other people—it’s even possible for us to keep others from seeing sin we’re holding on to in our lives. But we can’t hide anything from God. He isn’t fooled by false outer appearances because He sees our hearts. Even if no one else knows about wrong things we’re doing or thinking about others, He does. And if we confess them to Jesus, He will forgive us and make us clean.”

Mom cut into her apple. “You can see the inside of this apple now, and it looks great,” she told Zayne as she handed him a slice. “Have a piece.”

–Karen R. Locklear

How about you? Have you learned how to hide sin in your life from others? You may be able to fool other people, but you can’t fool God. The Pharisees in today’s Bible reading were able to make themselves look good to people, but Jesus saw what was in their hearts—and He sees what’s in your heart too. If there’s sin in your heart, confess it to Jesus so He can make you clean.

Today's Key Verse: You [God] alone know every human heart. (CSB) 1 Kings 8:39

Today's Key Thought: God sees your heart

Extraordinary Tea Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

Read: John 15:8-11

Aunt Jan was brewing herbal tea when Leah was dropped off for a visit one Sunday afternoon. Leah happily sat down in the homey kitchen and sniffed the air. “Mmm, it smells good in here!”

“Orange blossom tea—my favorite,” said Aunt Jan with a smile. She pointed to a cake on the counter. “Help yourself.”

Leah got a plate from the cupboard and cut a slice of cake. Aunt Jan raised her brows. “Why so quiet today?” she asked. “You usually talk my ears off!”

Leah laughed. “I was just thinking,” she said.

“Well then, why not let me think with you?” said Aunt Jan. “What are we thinking about?”

“The lesson we had in Sunday school today was about growing in the Lord,” Leah said. “Our teacher said we need to grow as Christians in order to become like Jesus, but I’m confused. Didn’t He change us when we put our faith in Him? I guess I don’t quite get it.”

“You’re right, Leah,” said Aunt Jan. “Jesus did change us when we trusted Him to save us from sin—we changed from being dead in sin to alive in Christ. But it takes time to grow in our relationship with Him and become more like Him.” She took a sip of tea, then looked down at her cup. “It’s a lot like tea,” she said.

“Tea?” Leah asked.

“Yes, tea,” said Aunt Jan. “The moment a tea bag is put into hot water, it’s no longer water—it’s tea. That’s like what happens to us the moment Jesus comes into our lives. But even though Jesus saves us from sin in an instant, it takes longer for us to learn to live out His truth and love in different areas of our lives and become more like Him—just like tea grows stronger the longer the tea bag is in it. The more we learn about Jesus and depend on Him to work in our hearts, the more we grow in our relationship with Him and become more like Him.”

Leah grinned. “Thanks, Aunt Jan. I think I get it now!”

–Cindy Van Schalkwyk

How about you? Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus? Do you spend time praying to Him and reading His Word, the Bible? Do you go to church to learn more about Him and spend time with other Christians who can encourage and support you in your faith? As you grow in your relationship with Jesus, you’ll become more like Him as He teaches you to trust Him and show His love to others.

Today's Key Verse: Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV) 2 Peter 3:18

Today's Key Thought: Grow to be more like Jesus

Forgiving Once Again Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 18:21-35

It was starting to rain. Daisy hated being out in the rain.

But she had gotten into a big fight with her older sister before heading outside to walk the dog. They had yelled at each other and called each other names, and she wasn’t ready to go back to the house and face her. Daisy didn’t know what she was going to say when she did.

So she kept walking down the sidewalk. Her dog, Oscar, was getting wet too, but he didn’t seem to mind.

The further she got from home, the heavier the rain came down. Daisy was getting soaked now and wondered if it had been a good idea to stay out so long. What if she got sick? She’d better turn around and go home.

Daisy tugged on Oscar’s leash and got him to jog with her back to the house.

“Where were you?” her sister Violet asked as soon as she stepped through the door.

Was her sister still angry with her? Daisy bit her bottom lip. “We were walking.”

“You’re soaking wet.” Violet frowned. “Go take a bath and warm up. I’ll deal with Oscar.”

Daisy handed her the dog’s leash and hurried to do as she was told.

After a nice warm shower, Daisy dressed in some dry clothes and made her way to the kitchen, where she could hear her sister moving about.

“Here.” Violet set a steaming mug in front of her. “I made you hot chocolate.”

“Thanks.” Daisy put her hands around the mug but didn’t sip yet. “You’re not mad anymore?”

“No.” Violet sighed. “I’m sorry. We always fight, and then when something happens like you go wandering out in the rain, I regret everything I said.”

“I regret everything I said too,” Daisy said. “I hate fighting with you.”

Violet nodded. “At least we can say we’re sorry and forgive each other. And God forgives us too.”

“No matter how many times we fight,” Daisy said.

“Or what we do.” Violet smiled. “We can always forgive each other and count on God’s forgiveness so that we can start over again.”

–Bethany Acker

How about you? Do you often get into fights with your siblings or friends? Do you sometimes worry that things have gone too far? Or do you always come back and forgive each other, time after time? God forgives us again and again for the wrong things we do, and that’s how He wants us to forgive others. When you say unkind things to others, tell them you’re sorry, and trust God to help you forgive them for the hurtful words they said to you.

Today's Key Verse: For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (NIV) Matthew 6:14

Today's Key Thought: Forgive again and again

Hospital Stay Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Read: Acts 3:18-21; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Marilyn gazed at her dad as he dozed in the hospital bed. She hated the atrocious yellow hospital gown and the tubes that went into his chest. He was supposed to be strong, but here he just looked tired and weary.

“How much longer will he be here?” Marilyn asked Mom hesitantly. She desperately wanted Dad home.

A deep sigh came from her mom. She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know, honey. The doctor is unsure.”

Marilyn bit her lip. “Doesn’t God want Dad to be healed?”

Mom took Marilyn’s hand in her own, and Marilyn leaned into the warm touch in the otherwise cold and bare room. “God loves us and your dad so much, Marilyn—more than we could ever comprehend. He doesn’t want us to be sick or suffer. God is good, and He hates our pain, but He allows it in our lives for reasons we don’t fully understand.”

“I hate it too.” Marilyn glanced at Dad again as he slept.

Mom squeezed her hand. “Every day I ask God, ‘Why is there sickness?’” Marilyn felt assured knowing Mom asked the same big questions she did. “The world isn’t supposed to be this way,” Mom said. “Even though we humans messed it up with our sin, God is at work every single day to make it whole again. That work is called restoration.”

“And He’s doing this now?”

Mom nodded. “It started in the first book of the Bible when God promised to bless His people and guide them when they were lost. Then Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again so our relationship with God could be restored. Jesus also healed and fed people, giving us a glimpse of God’s plan for eternal restoration. Today I see His restoration in the gifts He’s given people and the ways they use them to help others—like the doctors caring for your dad. And one day, God promises to bring complete and total restoration. There will be no more sickness and no more death forever.”

Dad stirred in his bed as Marilyn asked, “But what about today?”

“Today I hold on to that hope knowing that God is with me, you, and Dad,” Mom said.

Marilyn smiled at Dad as he slowly opened his eyes. Hope. For now, that was enough.

–Zoe Brickner

How about you? Have you or anyone you know ever stayed in the hospital or suffered from a sickness or disease? Have you asked God why there’s such brokenness on our planet? Take heart. He sees your pain and holds you close. He has been faithful in the past and will one day fulfill His promise to completely heal and restore all that is broken. Then there will be no more sickness, pain, or death.

Today's Key Verse: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Key Thought: God will restore the world

New Again Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 51:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Cassian pointed to a row of cars on display at the automobile museum. “Don’t these old cars look funny, Grandpa?”

Grandpa smiled. “Well, they look a bit funny to us now, but they were pretty fancy in their day.” He pointed to one of the cars. “My grandfather drove a car like that when he was a young man. It came in any color you wanted, as long as what you wanted was black.”

Cassian laughed. “Did you get to ride around in it when you were a kid?”

“No,” said Grandpa. “It was long gone by then. I just saw it in a picture.”

“Some of these old cars look brand new!” Cassian said, peering through the window of one of them. “This one doesn’t look like it’s ever been out on the road.”

“Oh, but it has,” said Grandpa. “It’s very old and must have traveled many miles, but it’s been restored.”

“Restored?” asked Cassian. “That means it’s been fixed up so it looks just like it did when it was new, right?”

Grandpa nodded. “Worn-out parts have been replaced, and the car’s been repainted with shiny new paint. It’s just like it’s brand new again.” He stooped down to get a closer look at the car’s shiny wheels. “It’s kind of like what Jesus does for us when we confess our sins to Him. He forgives us and makes us clean again. The Bible says He restores our souls. It’s like He refreshes us and makes us brand new.”

“When an old car is restored, it must look way different than it did when it was worn out,” said Cassian. “But Jesus doesn’t make us look different.”

“Well, I’m not so sure about that,” said Grandpa. “He changes our spirit and soul and attitude, and I think that can make us look different too. We’re able to have a better outlook on life and care deeply for others because we know our sins have been forgiven and we belong to Him. And that often puts a smile on our faces instead of a scowl. Don’t you think?”

Cassian thought about it. “Yeah,” he said. “I guess so!”

–Sam L. Sullivan

How about you? Are you feeling worn out by sin in your life? Do you need to be restored? Even though Jesus saves us and makes us new people the moment we put our faith in Him, we need His ongoing forgiveness and restoration in our lives. When you confess your wrongs to Jesus, He will restore you and leave you feeling brand new! When you feel refreshed and clean again, let it show so others can see what Jesus has done for you.

Today's Key Verse: He [God] restores my soul. (NKJV) Psalm 23:3

Today's Key Thought: God forgives sin and restores us

Window Shopping Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

Read: Titus 2:7-8, 11-14

As Jesse and his dad walked through the mall, Jesse talked about how he and some kids from church had collected cans from people around the neighborhood for a fundraising project. “When I knocked on Mr. Martin’s door, he wouldn’t give me any cans to take back to church. He said he didn’t even believe I was a Christian!”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Dad. “That was an unkind thing for him to say. Have you said or done anything that would make him feel that way?”

“I don’t think so,” Jesse answered. But then he remembered something. Maybe Mr. Martin knows I’m the one who knocked a ball through his window, he thought. I was going to tell him, but the other guys said I shouldn’t. They said he’d never know who did it. “Nothing much, anyway,” Jesse added when he noticed Dad frowning at him.

Just then they arrived at a sporting goods store. Jesse pointed to a football displayed in the window.

“Look! There’s the ball I want. Can we go in and see how much it costs?”

“How do you know they sell that kind of football here?” Dad asked.

Jesse gave his dad a questioning look. “How do I know? It’s in the window! Everybody knows the stuff you see in the window is sold in the store.”

Dad nodded. “It makes sense that what we see out here is what we believe we’ll find inside. That’s how it is with people too. What they see in our actions is what they believe we’re like inside. So for someone to believe we’re Christian, they need to believe we belong to Christ—that’s where the word Christian comes from. They need to see the love He has put in our hearts flow out through our actions. And when we fail to show His love and do something hurtful, we need to admit our mistake and try to make things right.” Dad headed for the store’s entrance. “Well, let’s go inside and see if you can afford that ball.”

Jesse hesitated. “Dad, wait!” he said. Then he told him about the broken window. “I’m not going to buy a football now,” Jesse said. “I need to use my money to pay Mr. Martin for that window.”

–Mary Rose Pearson

How about you? Do your actions show people that you belong to Jesus? Are the things you’ve said and done today things that show the love that Jesus has put in your heart? What you display on the outside should show what’s on the inside—that Jesus is in your life. Show people that you belong to Jesus by treating others the way He would.

Today's Key Verse: [Jesus] gave his life to free us from every kind of sin…and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (NLT) Titus 2:14

Today's Key Thought: Let Jesus be seen in you

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