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

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A Good Friday Lesson Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Anissa leaned out the car window to watch a line of people walking along the side of the road. Accompanied by a police escort, a large number of children and adults followed a man who was dressed to look the way Jesus did in pictures. The man was wearing what looked like a crown of thorns, and he was carrying a large cross on his back. “One of the local churches must be reenacting what happened on Good Friday many years ago,” Mom said as she slowed the car at the policeman’s signal.

Anissa looked away. She didn’t want to think about what really happened—how Jesus had suffered when He went to the cross to die for sinners. But she looked back when she heard the loud voice of a man in another car.

“Hey!” the man hollered. “You’re nuts!” He honked his horn and then hollered some more. The man portraying Jesus didn’t even look up. He and the crowd of followers continued their solemn journey.

“That guy wasn’t very nice!” Anissa remarked.

“No, but that kind of thing—and much worse—happened when Jesus was crucified,” said Mom. “People mocked Him, but Jesus kept on going too. He was committed to doing the will of His Father.”

“That must have been hard,” said Anissa.

“Yes,” said Mom. “Christians today might get teased and mocked for following Jesus. When that happens, we need to look to Him for the strength to keep going and do God’s will, just like He did.”

“I know.” Anissa sighed. “Sometimes I want to go along with other kids and do things even when I know they’re wrong. But being left out or putting up with mean things they say is nothing compared to what Jesus went through for me!”

Mom nodded. “Jesus took up His cross, and He tells each of us to do the same. That means being willing to give up whatever is necessary to live the way He wants us to—from what others think of us to our very lives. The good news is that He is with us and will help each of us carry our cross the way He did so others can see His love in our lives.”

–Nance E. Keyes

How about you? Are you ever teased or rejected because of what you believe? Jesus understands. He suffered that kind of rejection too. He was scorned and mocked and even spit on. He suffered real, deep pain when He took the punishment for sin you deserve. He loves you that much, and He will help you follow Him and show His love to others, no matter what anyone else says or does.

Today's Key Verse: [Jesus said,] “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (NLT) Luke 9:23

Today's Key Thought: Take up your cross

Every Bit Counts Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 25:14-21

Hunter and his dad chose a spot in the backyard to set up the rain gauge Hunter had made at school. He was proud of the hollow tube and its funnel-like top. “This is the best school project ever,” he said. “I hope it rains soon!”

“Hunter,” Mom said when he came inside, “Mr. Blake isn’t feeling well, and he’s afraid his garbage cans might roll out into the street if they stay in his driveway. Would you go bring in his trash cans?”

“Okay,” said Hunter, and he headed out the door. He returned a few minutes later and sighed heavily.

“What’s wrong?” asked Mom.

“Mr. Blake seems to be sick a lot,” said Hunter. “And I know he’s sad about losing his wife. I wish I could do something more to help him. When I brought his trash cans in, I noticed paint peeling off his house. I wish I could paint his house for him!”

A timer beeped, and Mom pulled brownies from the oven. “Well, you may not be able to paint his house, but you can run some of these over to Mr. Blake. That’ll cheer him up.”

“Okay. But it’d be cool to do something big instead of just this little stuff.”

Mom smiled at him. “I know it may not seem like much, but remember the Bible says that we serve Jesus by serving others. By helping Mr. Blake—even in small ways—you’re showing him the love of Jesus.”

Later that day, it began to sprinkle, so Hunter and his parents went to check his rain gauge. “It’s collecting water!” Hunter said.

“Good,” said Dad. “But this is a very light rainfall. It will take a lot more rain than this to really measure water in your gauge.”

“Maybe,” said Hunter. “But look! A little water is running into it—and every drop counts! The water will build up over time.”

“You’re right,” Mom said. “Every little bit does count, and you know what? Every little thing you do for Jesus counts too. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem.”

“You mean like the stuff I do to help Mr. Blake?” asked Hunter.

“Yes,” said Mom. “Jesus can use it to show him a big picture of God’s love.”

–Nance E. Keyes

How about you? Do you think the small things you do for others don’t amount to much? Do you wish you could do something big? The Bible tells us Jesus came down from heaven to serve us by dying for our sins, and He wants us to serve others—even when it doesn’t seem like much to us. He uses the small things we say and do to show people how much He loves them. Serve Jesus by serving others.

Today's Key Verse: The Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve. (NKJV) Mark 10:45

Today's Key Thought: Serving others shows them God's love

Smelly Shed Made Clean Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Read: Hebrews 9:11-15; 1 John 1:7-9

Cole followed his grandpa across his new backyard. “I want to see inside!”

Grandpa stopped at the door of a big shed. “Ready?”

Cole nodded. Grandpa pulled the door open, and Cole jumped back. The smell coming from inside was terrible. He moved to a place where he could take deep breaths of fresh air and looked over to see Grandpa laughing at him.

“We’re going to need to take care of that.” Grandpa held up a handkerchief. “Until then, I have this.”

“You knew it was going to smell like that and you’re still going in there to clean it?” Cole couldn’t believe it.

“Your grandma needs a place to work on her pottery.” Grandpa shrugged. “I love her, so I’m going to clean that place out and get it ready for her.”

“Speaking of Grandma…” Cole backed toward the house.

Grandpa laughed again. “You go inside and spend time with her. I don’t expect you to work with me.”

Cole didn’t go back to the shed until weeks later when Grandpa convinced him he had to see inside.

“I don’t want to smell it.” Cole dragged his feet as they made their way across the yard.

“It doesn’t smell anymore.” Grandpa pulled the shed door open.

Cole’s eyes widened. Gone was all of the mess that had been in the place before. And the smell coming from the shed was one of fresh paint and stain. He saw shiny wood floors and perfect white walls. “It’s amazing.”

Grandpa grinned. “It’s really different, isn’t it?”

Cole dropped to his knees on the clean floor. “This reminds me of something.”

“Yeah?” Grandpa asked.

“You know how Jesus loves us even though we’re sinners?” Cole asked. “He’s willing to step into the dirty, the gross, and make things better. He loves us enough to deal with the smelly stuff, just like you loved Grandma enough to do that. And now…now the shed has been made clean! Some people might have said it’d be best to just burn it down or something, but you made it new.”

Grandpa squeezed Cole’s shoulder. “I like that.”

–Emily Acker

How about you? Do smelly things bother you? How much love would it take for you to step into a smelly, messy place to make it better for someone you love? Because of His great love for us, Jesus came into our messy world and died for our sins. When we trust in Him, He cleans us and makes us new. (To learn more, go to https://new.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) No matter how many times we mess up, He will always forgive us.

Today's Key Verse: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (NKJV) 1 John 1:7

Today's Key Thought: Jesus cleans you because of His love

Saying Goodbye Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 62:5-8

For as long as they could remember, Isla and Parker had lived a block away from the beach. Now they were at the water’s edge saying goodbye to their favorite spot. Isla pushed her bare feet into the sand while Parker threw rocks out into the water. Tears trickled down Isla’s cheeks as she thought of the moving van parked in front of their house—only it wasn’t their house anymore.

Isla would always remember the last day of school before spring vacation a few weeks ago. She and Parker had bolted off the school bus, excited about heading to the beach. They’d burst through the front door. “Mom, we’re home!” Isla called.

The house was silent.

“Mom?” called Parker. They went into the living room and found Mom and Dad sitting there. Mom looked like she’d been crying. “What’s wrong?” asked Isla. That’s when her world fell apart.

“You’ve probably noticed that your mother and I haven’t been able to agree on many things lately,” said Dad. “We’ve decided that it will be better for all of us to live apart.”

It just kept getting worse. Not only was Dad leaving, but Isla and Parker were moving with their mom to Grandma’s. They’d have to find a new school and make all new friends. And there was no beach nearby.

Isla stared at the waves crashing against a huge boulder out in the water. “God, this isn’t fair,” she whispered. As the waves sprayed over the boulder, she remembered a verse she’d learned in church. The Lord is my Rock, she thought. He’s always solid and never changes, and He’ll always be with me and care for me.

Parker finished throwing rocks and came and sat beside Isla. “Don’t worry, Isla. Everything will be okay,” he said half-heartedly.

“I know,” replied Isla. “I just remembered that Jesus is a solid, steady Rock to stand on. We may feel like those waves out there being tossed all over the place, but Jesus is like that big boulder. Even if everything else is changing, He’s still the same. He cares about what’s happening to us and will always be with us. We have to trust Him.”

–Betty Yeider

How about you? Are you going through a difficult time in your life? A time when you feel hurt and alone and life doesn’t seem fair? Remember that Jesus is a close friend, one who is always there for you. He loves you so much He died for you, and He cares about what is happening. When everything around you seems to be falling apart, He is solid and unchanging—a Rock you can trust.

Today's Key Verse: Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (NIV) Psalm 62:8

Today's Key Thought: Always trust God

Really White Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Read: Romans 3:21-26

"Can I crack the eggs?” Penelope asked as her mom started blending the butter and sugar.

“Sure,” Mom said, and as each egg was added, she beat it into the cookie dough. “Now we need to add flour, baking soda, and salt.”

“I can do that,” said Penelope. She carefully measured the flour into a bowl, then added the baking soda and salt. She looked down at the bowl in surprise. “I thought flour was supposed to be white.”

“It looks white to me,” said Mom.

“But look,” said Penelope. “The baking soda and salt are on top of the flour, and they’re really white. They make the flour look almost gray.”

“That’s true,” Mom said as she stirred the ingredients together. “Penny,” she said after a moment, “if I said the flour is like us and the baking soda is like God, what do you think I’d mean?”

Penelope thought for a moment. “I’d think you weren’t making any sense,” she said with a grin. Mom smiled. “When I saw those ingredients together and the difference in color, it occurred to me that we often think we’re decently good people. But compared to what God says, we don’t look so good.”

“I think I get it,” said Penelope. “Compared to the baking soda, the flour isn’t very white. And compared to how the Bible says we should live, we’re not very good at all.”

“That’s right,” Mom said as she dropped spoonfuls of dough onto the cookie sheet. “The only person to ever live up to the Bible’s standards was Jesus, the Son of God. He lived a perfect life, then died to take the punishment for our wrongs. When we trust in Him, He replaces our sin with His righteousness—His goodness—and makes us pure in God’s eyes. If this baking soda could turn all the flour in this bowl pure white, that would be like what Jesus does for us.”

“These cookies will remind me of that,” said Penelope, putting a tray in the oven. “So I should eat lots of them, right?” Mom laughed and gave her a playful jab.

–Pauline Youd

How about you? How does your life compare to God’s standard that He gives us in the Bible? Do you feel like you measure up? Or do you know that your life is like the flour in this story—more gray than white? Only Jesus measures up to God’s standard. When you trust Him as your Savior, He purifies you from sin and makes you good in God’s eyes. (To learn more, go to https://new.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:21

Today's Key Thought: Only Jesus measures up

Hosanna! Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 21:1-11; John 3:16-18

Arlo giggled as his sister Marni raised her palm branch over his head. “Save me! Aunt Lori, Marni is going to rule over me!”

Aunt Lori called to the kids from the deck. “Quit playing with those. Come on, let’s eat lunch.”

Arlo and Marni groaned. They tossed their palm leaves to the side and trudged up the steps. “Those branches are perfect for sword fighting,” said Marni. “Why can’t we play with them?”

“Yeah,” Arlo added. “We got them in church, but all we did was wave them around and lay them on the floor. It was boring.”

Uncle Damien brought out plates of sandwiches. “Do you even know why you got them?” he asked as he set the food down.

The kids shrugged and said in unison, “Palm Sunday.”’

Uncle Damien nodded. “A week before Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The people laid down their cloaks and palm leaves as He rode through the city to honor Him as the Messiah—the Savior God had promised. Every year on the Sunday before Easter, we celebrate that day by remembering that Jesus is the humble King who came to save us.”

Marni thought about the church service earlier. “But why did the pastor have us say ‘hosanna’? What does that mean?”

“Actually, it’s kind of like what Arlo exclaimed when you beat him in your game earlier,” said Aunt Lori.

“I joked that you had to save me from Marni’s oppressive rule,” said Arlo.

“And hosanna means just that,” Aunt Lori said. “It’s a word meaning ‘save us’ in the language Jesus spoke.” Marnie nodded in realization. “So we shout it in church on Palm Sunday to remember that God saves us from our sins.”

“And He did just that,” Uncle Damien said. “When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment for sin we deserved. Then when He rose from the grave, He conquered death so we could have eternal life with Him. The moment we trust in Him, He frees us from the oppressive rule of sin and death and makes us right with God.”

“Wow!” Arlo exclaimed. “We should shout hosanna more often!”

–Zoe Brickner

How about you? Have you ever gotten a palm branch at church on Palm Sunday? During Jesus’s time, the leaves and cloaks on the ground showed respect to kings. Jesus was a different King than all the others—He’s the King of kings! He is the most powerful King, yet also the humblest. Jesus became human and died on the cross to save us, and that’s a good reason to shout, “Hosanna!”

Today's Key Verse: The crowds who went ahead of him [Jesus] and those who followed shouted…‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ (CSB) Matthew 21:9

Today's Key Thought: Jesus came to save us

Hosanna! Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

Read: Matthew 21:1-11; John 3:16-18

Arlo giggled as his sister Marni raised her palm branch over his head. “Save me! Aunt Lori, Marni is going to rule over me!”

Aunt Lori called to the kids from the deck. “Quit playing with those. Come on, let’s eat lunch.”

Arlo and Marni groaned. They tossed their palm leaves to the side and trudged up the steps. “Those branches are perfect for sword fighting,” said Marni. “Why can’t we play with them?”

“Yeah,” Arlo added. “We got them in church, but all we did was wave them around and lay them on the floor. It was boring.”

Uncle Damien brought out plates of sandwiches. “Do you even know why you got them?” he asked as he set the food down.

The kids shrugged and said in unison, “Palm Sunday.”’

Marni thought about the church service earlier. “But why did the pastor have us say ‘hosanna’? What does that mean?”

“Actually, it’s kind of like what Arlo exclaimed when you beat him in your game earlier,” said Aunt Lori.

“I joked that you had to save me from Marni’s oppressive rule,” said Arlo.

“Wow!” Arlo exclaimed. “We should shout hosanna more often!”

–Zoe Brickner

Today's Key Verse: The crowds who went ahead of him [Jesus] and those who followed shouted…‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ (CSB) Matthew 21:9

Today's Key Thought: Jesus came to save us

Spring Flowers Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 71:15-17

Jade, Leah, and their little sister, Izzy, joined their mother in the backyard one spring day. “Wow, look at all the flowers!” Jade said, walking over to her mother’s garden. “I love the hyacinths. I think they’re my favorite."

“Not mine. I like those yellow ones,” said Izzy, pointing to the daffodils. “They’re so pretty. Yellow is my favorite color!”

Leah shook her head. “The tulips are the best. They come in lots of colors—they don’t just stick to one!”

Jade looked around at the garden. “There are lots more flowers than there were last year. Did you plant more this year, Mom?”

Mom shook her head. “No, but over the winter, they multiplied.”

“Multiplied?” asked Izzy. “What does that mean?”

“That means there are more of them,” said Jade. “That’s because the bulbs in the ground produced more bulbs, so now there are more flowers for you to see. Right, Mom?”

“Right.” Mom removed a few dead leaves from the base of a daffodil. “You know, these spring flowers are a good example of what Christians should be like.”

“Really?” asked Jade. “How?”

“I know!” said Leah. “Because Jesus gives us new life when we trust Him as our Savior, and we should bloom for Him.”

“Yes,” said Mom. “He puts His love in our hearts, and as we rely on Him to help us show it to others, our lives bloom with the love and beauty of Jesus. That’s how Christians multiply.”

“Oh no!” said Jade, looking at Leah. “You mean there are going to be more Leahs popping up?”

Leah laughed. “Or more Jades?”

Mom smiled. “You girls know what I’m saying—that we should be sharing God’s love with others and praying He puts seeds of faith in their hearts and makes them grow. It’s not more Leahs or Jades we want popping up, but more people who know Jesus and show His love to the world.”

Izzy bent over to look more closely at one of the daffodils. “I hope the whole yard is full of these pretty yellow flowers next year!”

“Yeah,” said Jade. “And I hope the whole world is full of people who love Jesus!”

–Shelley A. Janofski

How about you? Have you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and give you a new life? Then your life should be like a flower and bloom with the love and beauty of Jesus. Show His love to others and let them know about all the wonderful things He’s done—like coming to earth and giving His life to save us from sin. Ask Jesus to use your life to bring others to Him.

Today's Key Verse: O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. (NLT) Psalm 71:17

Today's Key Thought: Show Jesus’s love to others

Tending William Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Read: Ephesians 4:32-5:2

Wyatt called to Mom as he raced down the stairs and toward the back door. “I’m heading out to my garden to weed.” Wyatt had his own garden in the backyard and was looking forward to caring for his plants.

Mom stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Can you take William with you, please? He’s been wanting to go outside all day.”

Wyatt sighed. Taking William with him would make tending his garden go much slower with all the questions he would ask. Wyatt was tempted to complain, but thought better of it. Mom needed to take care of baby Rose since she was teething and feeling miserable. Besides, William could be cute sometimes.

“William,” Wyatt said, “do you want to come with me to the garden?”

“Yes!” William shrieked with delight. “Will you help me put on my shoes? Why do we have to go to the garden? What are we going to do there?”

Wyatt sighed but smiled as he kneeled down to buckle William’s sandals. “We need to go to the garden to pull weeds and care for the plants.”

William paused a moment, but soon thought of more questions. “How do we care for plants? Why do we pull weeds?”

Wyatt continued to answer William’s questions as they headed outside. “We care for the plants by checking to see what they need. They may need water or extra support. If we don’t pull the weeds, the plants won’t have room to grow.” He knew there would be many more questions before the day was done. Mom and Dad had told him that asking questions was how William learned and that answering them kindly and carefully helped him grow and showed him God’s love. The kind of love Jesus shows us, Wyatt thought. Love that is always patient as He helps us learn and grow.

While William paused to chase a butterfly, Wyatt realized something. Showing patience and kindness to William wasn’t that different from taking care of his plants. He decided he would keep tending William and do what was needed to help him grow.

–Myrical Barton

How about you? Do you get impatient when younger kids ask lots of questions? Does it annoy you when friends or classmates don’t understand something? Remember that Jesus is patient and loving toward you and that you show His love to others by treating them the same way. Be patient with others and do all you can to help them grow.

Today's Key Verse: Be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV) Ephesians 4:2

Today's Key Thought: Be patient and help others grow

The Lesson at the Science Fair Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Read: Psalm 119:65-73

Denver tugged his mother’s hand. “Come on, Mom! I want to find out if my science fair project won a ribbon!”

“Okay, but help me keep an eye on Darcy,” Denver’s mom answered as she motioned for his little sister to follow them.

When they arrived at the table holding Denver’s project, they spotted a red ribbon attached to the board displaying Denver’s research.

“Second place! Cool!” Denver exclaimed. Then he, his mom, and Darcy walked around the gym looking at other projects. Denver congratulated some of his friends on their ribbons too.

“Denver, did you give Darcy a piece of gum?” Mom asked.

“No, I know Darcy’s too little for gum.”

“Well, she’s chewing something.” The three of them sat down on the gym’s bleachers so Mom could ask Darcy about the gum. When they realized Darcy had yanked an old, already-chewed piece of gum from under one of the science fair tables, Denver cried, “Gross!”

Darcy began to whimper.

“Darcy, it’s okay,” Denver consoled his sister. “Mom, why would she do that?”

“She’s little. She saw something that looked good, so she grabbed it. She doesn’t have much experience making wise decisions yet. But she’s not the only one who needs help making good choices.” Mom smiled and shook her head. Then they returned to admiring the science projects set up in the gym.

On the ride home, Denver asked, “Mom, what did you mean about how Darcy’s not the only one who needs help making choices?”

“Well, we all need help choosing what’s best sometimes,” said Mom.

“Because not everything that looks good is actually good for us,” Denver said. “Like Darcy’s gum.”

“Exactly,” Mom replied. “Thankfully, we have a place to turn when we need wisdom. Because you and I trust in Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins and then came back to life so we could have a relationship with God, we can go to our heavenly Father with any need we face, and He’ll give us guidance.”

“Good to know, Mom. I’m going to ask God for guidance about next year’s science project—and about keeping Darcy away from old chewing gum.”

–Allison Wilson Lee

How about you? Have you ever faced a decision and needed help? We all have choices in life to make, and some of them are difficult. But as God’s children, we can ask God for help and trust Him for wisdom in making decisions. As we look to God’s Word, the Bible, for guidance and share our needs with Him, He will help us make wise choices that show others we have a relationship with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (NIV) Psalm 32:8

Today's Key Thought: God helps us make wise choices

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