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

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Sin Slivers Jul 27, 2025

Show notes

"Ouch!” cried Wren as she climbed into the tree house her dad was building. Dad stopped hammering and raised his brow. “I hurt my finger,” Wren said.

“Let me take a look.” Dad put his hammer down and studied her finger. “You’ve got a sliver, but don’t worry, I’m an expert sliver remover! Just as soon as I’m finished here, I’ll take it out.” Wren squirmed. “It’s okay. It’s not that big. I’ll just leave it.”

“Not a good idea,” said Dad, digging through his toolbox. He frowned. “That’s strange. My tape measure isn’t in here. Well, I can work without it for now.”

“Tape measure?” Wren asked, suddenly feeling guilty. And as the afternoon wore on, she felt more and more guilty. She knew what had happened to the tape measure.

“Dad, this sliver really hurts,” Wren said that evening. “I think I need help from an expert sliver remover after all.”

“Oh, that’s right—I forgot about your sliver!” Dad got out the tweezers. “Slivers don’t go away on their own.” Wren winced as he pricked her skin. “There,” Dad said. “It’s out.”

Wren looked at the tiny fleck Dad was holding. “I can’t believe something that small could hurt so bad,” she said.

“This little sliver reminds me of what we call ‘little’ sins,” said Dad. “We think they don’t really amount to much and shouldn’t hurt anybody. But if we’re sensitive to how Jesus wants us to love others, they cause us grief until we confess them and get them removed. We could call them sin slivers.”

Wren sighed. “Dad, I…” She hesitated. “I need another sliver removed—a sin sliver that’s been bothering me all day. I took your tape measure. I know I’m not supposed to go in your toolbox, but I used it to take measurements for a treasure map, and then I lost it in the woods. I’m sorry. I should have told you right away.”

“So that’s where it went!” said Dad. “Well, I’ll have to get another tape measure, but at least I won’t be hunting for that one anymore. I’m glad you told me, and I forgive you. Even better—Jesus promises to forgive the sins we confess too.”

–Jody Hedlund

How about you? Is there a nagging sin you need to confess? Maybe you fibbed to your parents or bent the rules to win a game. It may not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but any sin, no matter how big or small it seems, hurts both you and others. Don’t wait any longer. Confess your sin to Jesus and to anyone else you’ve sinned against and ask for forgiveness.

Today's Key Verse People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (NLT) Proverbs 28:13

Today's Key Thought All sin hurts you—confess it

Growing Light Jul 26, 2025

Show notes

Read: Ephesians 5:8-20

The girls in Cabin 9 were walking down the path to the campfire at Bible camp when Gabby pointed up at the sky. “Look at the moon tonight! Yesterday there was no moonlight at all in the sky, but today there is a bright sliver of light.”

Her counselor, Jami, nodded. “It has started to reflect the sun’s light, and tomorrow it will reflect more light and keep growing until it’s a full moon.”

They reached the campfire and found their seats. They sang silly songs and laughed as they roasted marshmallows, then listened as the camp director told them about Jesus.

A warm feeling filled Gabby as she listened to the director speak. She suddenly knew that she wanted to trust in Jesus. She moved a little closer to Jami and asked her to pray with her to ask Jesus to forgive her for her sins. Jami gave her a hug as they knelt down to pray.

Later that night, as they walked back to the cabin, Jami smiled and pointed up at the moon. “Gabby, now that you trust in Jesus, your faith is like that moon. Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, our lives reflect the love of Jesus. Yesterday, like the moon, you had no light, but today God’s love and goodness have started to shine through you.”

Gabby stared up at the moon. “I’m so excited to have Jesus in my life, but what do I do when I get home?” she asked.

“As you grow in your relationship with Jesus, His light will grow inside you,” said Jami. “Just as a crescent moon grows into a bright full moon, you’ll begin to reflect Him more and more. When you get home, keep getting to know Jesus better and learning more about Him. Go to church and spend time with other Christians, and read your Bible and pray every day. As your faith and understanding grow, you’ll become more like Jesus and reflect more of His light, just like that moon.”

Gabby pondered Jami’s words. “Wow,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to know Jesus even better! And now that I know Him, I know He’ll be with me and help me shine every day.”

–Bethany Den Boer

How about you? Have you recently decided to trust in Jesus? Do you wonder what you’re supposed to do now? Now that your sins are forgiven and you belong to Jesus, He will make His light inside you grow. As you grow in your relationship with Him, He will help you follow Him in all you do, and others will be able to see His light shining in your life.

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

Today's Key Thought Keep growing in your faith

Like a Badger (Part 2) Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Read: Romans 12:6-8

I heard the kids’ choir at church is holding auditions next week,” Mom said as Milo set the table for dinner. “Why don’t you try out? I know how much you love to sing, and they could sure use you.”

Milo shrugged. “I’m sure those kids are way better than me, so why bother? I’ll just stick to singing in the shower.”

“I found out more about badgers!” Anna announced when they sat down to dinner. “Have you ever heard of a honey badger?”

“No, but I’m guessing it’s called a honey badger because it likes honey,” said Milo.

“Right!” said Anna. “The honey badger has a bird friend called a honeyguide. When the honeyguide finds a beehive full of honey, it leads the way to it. Then the honey badger uses its claws to break open the hive and eat the honey.”

“Does the honeyguide get some of the honey too?” asked Milo. Anna shook her head. “Well, that doesn’t seem fair!” said Milo. “The honey badger should share the honey.”

“But the honeyguide doesn’t want the honey,” said Anna. “It wants the beeswax and the bees’ eggs and larvae in the honeycomb, and that’s what the honey badger leaves behind.”

“Interesting,” said Dad. “So each one helps the other, and by helping each other they both benefit.”

“You know, we’re supposed to do the same thing as Christians,” said Mom. “Just like the bird is able to locate honey and the honey badger has claws to open the hive, God has blessed us with different talents and abilities. He wants us to use them to help others and point them to Jesus. When we keep our gifts to ourselves instead of sharing them with others, everyone misses out—both us and the people who would have benefited from them.”

Milo sighed. “You’re talking about me trying out for the kids’ choir, aren’t you?” He put down his fork. “Okay, maybe I’ll give it a try—I wouldn’t want to keep a gift God gave me all to myself when I could use it to help others. I might make new friends and learn more about music too. That sounds better than just singing in the shower!”

–Tanya Ferdinandusz

How about you? What special talents, skills, or abilities has God given you? Are you using them to help others and point them to Jesus—or are you keeping them all to yourself? God gave you those gifts so you could use them to bless others—and they have gifts that you’ll benefit from too! Share your gifts so they can help others and bring glory to God.

Today's Key Verse Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10

Today's Key Thought Use your gifts to help others

Like a Badger (Part 1) Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Read: Romans 12:9-18

"What are you reading about?” asked Anna as she peered over her brother’s shoulder to see what was on his computer screen. “Oh, look at that little animal! He’s so cute!”

“Stop saying everything is cute!” said Milo. “That’s a badger, and badgers are interesting, not cute!”

Anna sniffed. “Well, I think that badger is cute. What do you find so interesting about it?”

“Well, this article says that when badgers make their homes underground, they dig dens that are interconnected by a whole maze of burrows and passages. I think that’s pretty cool!”

“That is cool,” said Anna. “That means they can visit each other without having to go above ground.”

Milo nodded. “And it says badgers are nocturnal animals, which means—”

“I know what it means,” said Anna. “It means they’re awake at night and sleep during the day.”

“Right. And listen to this. ‘If a badger is away from home at daybreak, he may stay and rest with another badger family for a while before heading back to his own den.’ They must be hospitable animals.”

“Hospitable? What does that mean?” asked Anna.

“You know—making guests feel comfortable and at home,” said Milo.

“Oh! Like how we took care of the missionaries who stayed with us last month.” Anna laughed. “Maybe the traveling badgers are missionary badgers!”

“Listen to this,” said Milo. “Badgers sometimes even allow a fox to stay in their den!”

“Hmm,” said Anna. “I can’t think of anything to compare that to!”

“I can,” said Milo. “It might be like inviting someone you don’t know very well to come over and play—like those new kids who just moved in down the street.” Milo glanced out the window thoughtfully. “In my class at church, we talked about how being kind and welcoming to others shows them Jesus’s love. He welcomed us into His family when we were outsiders, and He wants us to welcome others and help them feel at home. We even learned a verse that says to practice hospitality.”

“Let’s ask Mom if we can invite the new kids over,” said Anna. She grinned and pointed toward the TV room. “I’m sure we can make them feel at home in our den!”

–Tanya Ferdinandusz

How about you? Are you hospitable? Do you make others feel welcome—whether they’re your friends or someone you don’t know well? The Bible tells Christians to be hospitable and welcoming to others—even those we don’t know—because Jesus welcomed us when we didn’t know Him. Share His love with others by making everyone feel welcome at your home, school, church, or wherever you are.

Today's Key Verse Always be eager to practice hospitality. (NLT) Romans 12:13

Today's Key Thought Practice hospitality

The Bottomless Cup Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 14:13-21; Ephesians 2:1-7

When Emma came into the living room, tears were falling from Mom’s eyes onto her lap. Dad sat next to her with a hand on her shoulder. “It’s Grandma,” he told Emma. “She died in the hospital this morning.”

Emma stared out the window. With Grandma gone, who’d come visit every month? Who’d cook her favorite foods, or go on bike rides and picnics with her?

A few days later Mom, Dad, and Emma made the long drive to the funeral. Emma tried to listen during the service. The pastor said, “Ephesians 2:6-7 tells us that God raises us up with Jesus—He gives us spiritual life as well as the promise of physical resurrection when He comes again—so that we will forever show ‘the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’”

After the service Mom didn’t seem as sad while she visited with her sisters. Emma felt like something was missing, and her heart ached.

On their drive home, they stopped at a restaurant. Emma saw something strange on the menu. She asked, “What do they mean by ‘bottomless cup of coffee?’ That sounds messy.”

Dad laughed a little, and even Mom smiled. “That means they’ll keep filling your cup as long as you want more coffee,” Dad explained.

Mom added, “It’s like when Jesus fed the five thousand. He fed people until they were full. Then He gave even more. There’s no end to how much He gives us and does for us.”

Dad said, “It’s that way for your grandma now. God will spend all eternity showing kindness to her in heaven.”

“But what about us, Dad? I don’t feel full. I feel kind of empty.”

“We lost a great treasure in Grandma, and that can make us feel poor instead of rich. But God will never run out of mercy and kindness. He’s rich in both of those—and generous.”

Mom nodded. “God gave us the greatest treasure of all when He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to save us so we could be with Him now and forever. Jesus promises to be with us when we feel sad and give us comfort and peace.”

Emma smiled. “It’s like a bottomless cup of His love.”

–Laura Roesler

How about you? Do you miss someone who was dear to you? The word dear means valuable, such as treasure or riches. When you lose someone, it can make you feel poor instead of rich. But God is rich in mercy. He knows how to care for those who are dear to us, and He knows how to comfort us whenever we miss them. Trust Him to show you the riches of His kindness and mercy as you grieve.

Today's Key Verse The same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (NKJV) Romans 10:12

Today's Key Thought God’s mercy and kindness are endless

All Things Are Pawsible Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 19:26; Luke 6:45; James 3:7-10

"Mom,” said Noah, “Rexy had an accident on the welcome mat again.”

Mom made her way to the front door and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know what to do with that dog. He chews up everything in the house. He barks at the garbage truck. He digs under the fence. He’s out of control. I don’t think anyone can tame that tiny Chihuahua. Would one of you boys please take Rexy for a walk?”

“It’s Noah’s turn.” Micah tossed the leash to his brother.

“My turn? I just gave him a bath last night!”

“That wasn’t a bath. You just sprayed some of Dad’s cologne on him!”

“Well, you should use some of that cologne because you smell worse than the dog!”

Mom sighed. “Don’t you boys ever get tired of arguing? I think Rexy acts so crazy because he’s watching how you two act.”

“Oh, come on, Mom. We don’t bark at the mailman,” Noah said.

“Yeah,” said Micah, “and it’s not like we punch each other or anything.”

“You punch each other with words. The way you talk to each other is just as out of control as Rexy. The Bible says people are able to tame all kinds of animals, but no one can tame the tongue.”

“So if the Bible is saying we have a better chance of taming Rexy than controlling what we say, why even try?” asked Noah.

“Because taming our tongues is important,” said Mom. “They may be small things, but they can cause huge destruction.”

Micah laughed. “That sounds a lot like Rexy!”

“The Bible also says that the words we speak come from our hearts,” Mom continued. “If we need to change our words, it means our hearts need to change. And we can’t change them ourselves.”

Noah thought about that. “You mean Jesus has to help us, right?”

“Right,” said Mom. “Only He can change your heart and help you love others the way He does. Taming the tongue is only possible with Him.” Mom walked over to the puddle on the welcome mat and sighed. “At this point, I think God’s the only one who can change Rexy as well.”

Micah smiled. “Well, the Bible does say that with God, all things are pawsible!”

–Jared Hottenstein

How about you? Have you ever been hurt by someone’s words? Have you ever hurt someone by what you said to them? Words are powerful things, and it’s important to use them to build others up, not tear them down. The next time you want to say something hurtful, remember how much Jesus loves that person. Then trust Him to change your heart and help you love them too.

Today's Key Verse Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (NIV) James 3:10

Today's Key Thought Jesus changes hearts

This Old Planet Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 89:8, 11-13

Journey and Elise ran to the garage where their dad was working. “Mom says we’re going to have a picnic at the park!” said Journey. “Can we go soon?”

“We want to have time to play on the swings before we eat!” added Elise.

“Okay,” said Dad. “But before we go, I need to wash the car.”

“Why bother?” asked Elise. “It’s old.”

“You’re right. It is old,” Dad replied. “But it’s the only car we have—and God calls us to take care of everything we’ve been given. You can help. Then it will get done quicker.”

The girls reluctantly got busy. Journey mixed soap into a bucket of water while Elise got out sponges and Dad pulled out the hose. They washed and polished the car until it shone brightly. “There!” Dad said. “It looks almost as good as new.”

Soon they were on their way. At the park, Dad pushed Journey and Elise on the swings, and the girls also had fun on the slides and other playground equipment. Then Mom called for them to come and eat.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Mom said as they ate. “The trees and sky and flowers are so pretty.”

When they had finished eating, Journey and Elise carried the trash to a garbage can. “Thanks, girls,” Dad said when they got back. “Though I see some of the stuff fell on the ground when you were walking over and you left it. That’s no way to treat this old planet! Go back and pick it up.”

“Old planet?” asked Journey.

Dad nodded. “Just like our old car, this old planet is the only one we have to live on, and God wants us to take good care of it. This may be an old planet, but it’s also a wonderful, amazing, beautiful planet—and Jesus promises to make it new again one day when He comes back to get rid of sin forever and restore all creation to the way He intended it to be. Until then, we need to be good stewards and take care of the planet He created for us.”

“Okay, Dad,” Elise said, and the girls hurried back to pick up their trash.

–Daryl B. Knauer

How about you? Do you do all you can to take care of this old planet? God gave you this beautiful world to be your earthly home, and He wants you to do your part in keeping it that way. Caring for things in nature, recycling, and putting trash in garbage cans are all ways you can help take care of the earth. Think of some other simple things you can do to help keep God’s creation clean and beautiful.

Today's Key Verse The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (NIV) Psalm 24:1

Today's Key Thought Take care of God’s earth

Be Careful What You Stir Up Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Read: Galatians 5:22-26

"Just do it,” coaxed Henry. “She’ll never know it was you.” Henry was trying to get his classmate Niam to put a whoopee cushion on their teacher’s chair. “Come on, it will be hilarious!”

“Okay,” said Niam. But when Mrs. Mills sat down and her face turned red, it didn’t seem so funny after all.

Later that day, Henry talked some classmates into putting petroleum jelly on all the door knobs in the classroom. But when Mrs. Mills couldn’t open the door for recess, she frowned and announced they would be staying inside.

At the end of the day, Henry was instructed to go to the principal’s office instead of the bus line. When he arrived, both of his parents were there. They didn’t look happy.

No one spoke on the drive home. When they pulled into the driveway, Dad turned off the engine and told Henry to go get a can of white paint. Henry didn’t know what Dad was up to, but he did as he was told.

“Let’s open this up and see how much we have,” said Dad. They pried off the rusty lid and peered inside. It looked okay. “We have to stir it,” said Dad. “It’s been sitting a while.”

As Henry stirred vigorously, chunks of old, rubbery paint and rust began dotting the surface. The harder he stirred, the worse it got. “All this stirring is making it worse!” Henry exclaimed.

“When you stir old paint, it loosens all the impurities in the can,” Dad explained. “Kind of like how you’ve been stirring things up at school.”

Henry stopped stirring the paint and sighed. “I was just trying to have some fun.”

“Yes, but at the expense of others. When you ask your classmates to do things that embarrass or hurt others, you’re encouraging them to sin. The Bible tells us to stir up love and good works, but you can’t do that by only thinking of yourself—just like you can’t stir up good paint from this old can. You need to depend on Jesus to help you stir up love and encourage others to do good things instead.”

“I guess you’re right.” Henry took the stirring stick out of the can. “I’ll be more careful about what I stir up.”

–Laura Kuehn

How about you? Do you like to stir things up? There’s nothing wrong with having fun, but it can’t be at the cost of upsetting a friend or teacher or getting other people in trouble. If you’re someone who can talk others into doing things, use that gift for good! Encourage those around you to honor God and others through love and good deeds.

Today's Key Verse And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. (NKJV) Hebrews 10:24

Today's Key Thought Encourage others to do good

Nightmares Jul 19, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalms 3:1-6; 42:8; 63:6

Lara ran so hard it hurt. She glanced over her shoulder. The lion was still chasing her and getting closer. Suddenly, she tripped and fell flat on her face! A huge roar echoed, and she could almost feel the lion’s hot breath on her neck. She screamed—then woke up in her own bed. All the covers were kicked off, and her forehead was sweaty.

Lara lay still, trying to calm her beating heart and go back to sleep. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw the lion chasing her. Finally, she got out of bed and tiptoed to her mom’s room. “Mom,” she whispered, “I had another nightmare, and I’m afraid to go to sleep.” Mom got up, and together they went back to Lara’s room.

“I know the dream wasn’t real, Mom, but it was so scary!” Lara said after Mom tucked her back in bed. “How can I get it out of my mind?”

Mom switched on the lamp and got Lara’s Bible out of a drawer. “God’s Word can help with your nightmares,” she said as she turned the pages. “The book of Psalms is a good place to find verses of comfort when we feel afraid. Let’s read Psalm 118:6. Here, read it out loud for me.”

Taking the Bible, Lara read, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” She gave her mother a little smile. “The last part could say, ‘What can mere nightmares do to me?’ Is it okay to read it like that?”

Mom nodded. “That will remind you that your nightmares can’t hurt you, and that Jesus is always there to comfort you.”

Lara put a bookmark between the pages to save the place. “I’ll read this whenever I have a nightmare. Then I won’t have to get up and find you.”

“Great idea,” said Mom, returning the Bible to the drawer. “It’s short, and you could even memorize it. That way you can repeat it to yourself whenever something scares you.” She smiled. “But you can still come and get me if you feel afraid.”

After Mom kissed her goodnight, Lara snuggled down deep into the covers and whispered, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”

–Faith Alessio

How about you? Do you have nightmares or find it hard to go to sleep? Remember that if you know Jesus as your Savior, He is with you all the time. Like King David in today’s Bible reading, you can meditate—or think—about God when you’re awake at night. If you think about the presence and power of God, your fears will look much smaller. You can have peace knowing He is with you.

Today's Key Verse In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV) Psalm 4:8

Today's Key Thought God is with you

The Compost of Life Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Read: Genesis 50:19-20; Romans 5:1-5

Sofia, chore time! Today we’re going to—what’s wrong?” Aunt Lori set down the buckets she was holding and gently put her hands on Sofia’s shoulders. “Aren’t you having a nice time on the farm?”

Sofia tried to smile. “I just wish Mom and Dad were here with me.” Her throat felt tight. She buried her face in her aunt’s denim shirt, trying to control her tears.

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.” Aunt Lori hugged her niece tight, remembering when her own parents separated many years before.

“Why did God let this happen to me if He’s supposed to be good? I don’t see anything good in my parents getting a divorce!” Sofia said fiercely.

Aunt Lori was silent as she brushed Sofia’s hair. After a moment, she said, “Let’s go empty the compost.”

As they emptied the buckets into the compost bin, Sofia grimaced at the smell of the decomposing fruits and vegetables. “Gross,” she muttered. Then they walked to the garden to do some weeding.

“The plants are gorgeous,” Sofia observed. “How do you keep them so healthy?”

“I put compost on them. But those haven’t been getting much,” Aunt Lori said, nodding to some rows of sadder-looking plants. “Let’s put some compost on them now.”

As they worked, Aunt Lori said, “You know, Sofi, I think we’re like these plants, and the difficulties we face are like compost.”

“How?” Sofia asked, puzzled.

“Well, God can use the hard things in our lives to help us trust Him more and grow in our faith. He promises to use everything for good. Jesus’s death on the cross was horrible, yet that’s how God did the greatest good of all and saved us from our sins. And He can bring good from bad things that happen. God hates divorce—it’s not good. My parents’ divorce was awful, but it helped me see God as my perfect, loving Father. By His grace, I’m not a withered, dying plant because I know He is always with me, giving me strength.” Aunt Lori smiled.

Sofia had never thought about life that way. She did want to be vibrant and strong like the healthy-looking plants. She would think hard about what Aunt Lori had said.

–Rachel Avallone

How about you? Have you gone through uncomfortable or painful things in your life? It’s natural to become upset and ask God, “Why is this happening to me?” Even though bad things happen, we know God is good. He promises to be with us through the hard things, and He is always at work in our lives. When difficult things happen, trust that God will use them for good.

Today's Key Verse We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV) Romans 8:28

Today's Key Thought God uses everything for our good

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