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

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Safe in Every Sky Apr 09, 2025

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Editor’s note: This story may not be suitable for young children.

Asha’s heart was pounding. She walked slowly down the jetway to the plane, clutching her mother’s hand. “It’ll be okay,” Mom told her gently. “I know you’re scared, but everything will be all right.”

Asha looked up at Mom with her big round eyes, then snapped them back to the open door of the plane. Just a week ago, a bomb went off at an airport in another country. Asha shuddered as images of wrecked planes on the news flashed into her mind. She definitely didn’t want anything like that to happen to her and Mom!

They finally crossed from the jetway to the plane, and the flight attendant greeted them with a warm smile as they began shuffling down the aisle. Mom pointed out their seats. “Row 27, seat F. That’s you, Asha. I’ll be in the seat right in front of you.”

Asha’s stomach lurched. “But Mom, I want you right next to me! I can’t ride the whole way by myself. What if I lose you?”

“Don’t worry, honey,” Mom said as she slid into her row and pointed to the seat behind her. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with you the whole way.”

Asha climbed into her seat, buckled her belt, and stared out the window as the plane rolled into position on the runway. The engines began to roar, and she felt the pressure of the plane building up. She thought about her mother’s words and remembered a Bible verse she had learned in church. “The Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.” She realized that even if flying on a plane seemed really scary to her, Jesus would be there to comfort her, just like Mom was with her on the plane. He would never leave her. Even if something horrible did happen and the plane crashed, He would still be with her, and she’d go to heaven to be with Him there.

She smiled as she sat back in the seat, feeling more comfortable. She spoke up so Mom could hear her. “Thanks for being here with me, Mom. I know Jesus will be with both of us too!”

–Dylan Kraayenbrink

How about you? Do you often see scary things on the news? It’s hard not to worry about the bad things that happen in the world. But remember that if you trust in Jesus, He’ll always be with you to comfort you and carry you through every situation. No matter what happens, Jesus will never leave you. Your future is safe with Him.

Key Verse: The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (CSB) Deuteronomy 31:8

Today's Key Thought: God comforts His children

Leaning Lydia Apr 08, 2025

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Read: Proverbs 3:1-6; Hebrews 12:1-2

"Can you quiz me on some review questions for a test, Dad?” Lydia asked one evening. Dad agreed, so Lydia handed him her study sheet.

Dad asked Lydia several questions on topics she had studied. “Just a few to go,” Dad said finally. “What’s the name of the famous tower in Italy? And why is it famous?”

“The Leaning Tower of Pisa,” Lydia replied. “It was supposed to stand straight, but the ground it was built on was soft and it began to lean during construction.”

“Good,” said Dad, closing the book. “I’ll have to make up some harder questions if I’m going to stump you. Let’s see…what’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning on?”

Lydia had to think about that one. “Is that a trick question? It doesn’t seem to be leaning on anything.” Looking out the window, Lydia saw her little brother wobbling down the driveway on his bike. “Eli’s leaning on something though. Without those training wheels, he’d fall right over!” She grinned. “Is God holding up the tower? Maybe He’s what’s keeping it from falling over.”

“That’s an interesting idea,” said Dad. “Eli, the tower in Pisa, you and me, we all need to have something—or someone—to lean on.” He smiled. “Eventually Eli will learn to ride his bike without leaning on those training wheels. But as Christians, we’ll always need someone to hold us up.”

“You mean Jesus, don’t you?” asked Lydia.

“That’s right,” said Dad. “If we think we can get through life or be a good person by leaning on our own efforts, we’ll just fall right over. Only by leaning on Jesus—trusting in Him—can we be saved from sin and love others the way God calls us to. It’s impossible for us to do it ourselves.” He paused. “I’m not sure what’s holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Some people think it might fall one day. But our foundation—Jesus—will never let us fall. No matter what happens, He will always hold us up.”

Lydia smiled. “So, because I trust in Jesus, I’m Leaning Lydia! I’ll have to remember that.”

“Good,” said Dad. “That’s way more important to remember than anything on your study sheet!”

–Nance E. Keyes

How about you? Are you leaning on Jesus? Or are you trying to hold yourself up? Only Jesus can save us from sin and provide us with all we need to live a life that points to His goodness and love. He wants us to lean on Him, and He puts people in our lives we can lean on too in hard times, like friends and family. You can trust that He will never let you fall. (See “Have You Heard the Good News?” on page 104.)

Today's Key Verse Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (NKJV) Proverbs 3:5

Today's Key Thought Lean on Jesus

A Lesson From Tiger Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Read: Acts 9:26-31

That’s enough TV for today, Simon,” Grandma said, turning it off. “Don’t you have homework to do?” Simon shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, Grandma.” He reached down and scooped up Tiger, the stray cat Grandma had rescued. “Even if I do it, Mrs. Stevens still won’t like me.”

“I thought you enjoyed her class. What happened?” Grandma asked.

“I do like it. But I forgot to do my homework a few times, and now she always asks me if I’ve done it.”

“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you, Simon,” Grandma said. “She cares about you and wants to help you be responsible and do your work.”

“But she won’t let me go to the puzzle corner during study hall unless my homework’s done. And if I tell her it’s done, she doesn’t believe me! She makes me show her my work.” Simon stroked the fur on Tiger’s back, making him purr. “She doesn’t make anyone else do that.”

“I see,” said Grandma. “Simon, do you remember when I first got Tiger?”

Simon remembered how skinny Tiger had been. His striped fur was dirty, and one ear was torn. “Tiger hissed and scratched at anyone who came near him,” said Simon.

Grandma nodded. “Tiger had been mistreated. It was hard for him to trust people again. I spoke gently to him and offered him his favorite foods for many days. Then one morning Tiger stepped away from his dish and brushed against my legs. More time went by before he trusted me enough to let me pet him.”

“But he’s okay now,” Simon said as he gently petted the purring cat. “I guess he figured out we’re not going to hurt him.”

“Sometimes when we make mistakes, it takes people a while to trust us again, just like Tiger,” Grandma said. “But that doesn’t mean we should give up. Jesus always forgives our wrongs and gives us the strength to do what’s right. He’ll help us show others we can be trusted again. But it can take time.”

“You mean, if I continue to do my homework, eventually Mrs. Stevens won’t need to remind me anymore?”

“Not only that, Simon,” said Grandma. “You’ll also show her—and yourself—that because of Jesus, you have the power to change.”

–Heidi J. Schmidt

How about you? Have you lost someone’s trust because of a mistake you made? Have you felt like giving up showing you’ve changed? Remember that God works through people who make mistakes. The apostle Paul made some big mistakes before Jesus saved him. Depend on Jesus for the strength to do what is right, and ask Him to help others notice the change.

Today's Key Verse: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. (NLT) Luke 16:10

Today's Key Thought: Trust takes time

Time Capsule Apr 06, 2025

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Bible reading: Matthew 6:19

Story

How About You

Key Thought

Key Verse

Butterflies Apr 05, 2025

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The Best Glasses Apr 04, 2025

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Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

“What are you reading?” asked Dr. Trent as he entered the examination room and saw Alisha with an open book on her lap.

“It’s the Bible,” said Alisha.

“The Bible? Why are you reading that?” Dr. Trent asked. “With all the exciting books out there, I would think you’d find an old book like that pretty boring.”

“Oh no,” Alisha said. “It’s not like that at all. I’m on a Bible quiz team, and our next contest is coming up, so I’ve been studying whenever I get a chance. I think the stories in the Bible are really interesting.” She closed her Bible. “Besides, reading the Bible helps me—well—I don’t know.” Alisha sighed, frustrated she couldn’t express what she was thinking.

“I have something for you,” said Dr. Trent. He held up a new pair of glasses.

“Oh good,” said Alisha as she removed her old ones. The doctor placed the new glasses on Alisha’s face, checking behind her ears to see how they fit. “Wow!” Alisha said, looking around.

Dr. Trent smiled. “You didn’t realize how much you were missing with your old glasses, did you?”

“No,” said Alisha. “Everything is so much clearer now.” As she looked around the room, she glanced at her Bible, and suddenly she had an idea. “That’s why I read the Bible, Dr. Trent.” The doctor raised his eyebrows. “Reading the Bible is kind of like getting glasses,” Alisha explained. “It helps me see things more clearly. Actually, it’s even better than glasses because the Bible helps me see things like who God is and how much He loves me—so much that Jesus died for my sins! It shows me how God wants me to live and reminds me that I can always trust Him, no matter what.”

“It sounds like the Bible means a lot to you,” said Dr. Trent.

Alisha nodded. “It’s changed my life.” She stood up to leave. “You should read it for yourself—it’s better than the best glasses you’ve ever had!”

Dr. Trent smiled. “Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime.”

“I hope so,” said Alisha. “You might realize how much you’ve been missing!”

–Bob Hostetler

The Scratched-up Skateboard Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

"I didn’t mean to hurt your oh-so-special skateboard, Grady!” Jared told his brother. “You don’t have to get so mad!”

“I told you to leave it alone!” shouted Grady.

“Well, a skateboard is meant to jump and ride rails and stuff,” said Jared. “All you do is coast down the street on it. Why don’t you try out this ramp I built?”

Just then Dad came out to the garage. “Dad!” said Grady. “Jared scratched up my new skateboard. I told him not to take it on that ramp, but he did anyway, and now it’s a mess!”

“I couldn’t help it, Grady—I didn’t fall on purpose.” Jared pointed to his chest. “Besides, look what happened to my shirt when I fell off the board. There are grass stains all over it!”

Dad examined the skateboard. “Grady, why don’t you get some of those decals you’ve been collecting and stick them on your skateboard? They should cover most of these scratches, and then the board will look great! I’ll help you with it, okay?” Grady nodded, looking relieved. Then Dad turned to Jared. “Do you want some white paint to put over those stains on your shirt?”

“Paint?” Jared shook his head. “Of course not! These stains will have to be washed out—not covered up.”

“I agree,” said Dad. “Do you know that the wrong things you do shouldn’t be covered up either? You shouldn’t have used your brother’s skateboard when he told you not to, but instead of accepting responsibility and apologizing for scratching it up, you made excuses. You even complained about what your stunt had done to your shirt. You were trying to cover up the wrong thing you did, weren’t you?”

Jared was quiet a moment. “I guess so,” he finally admitted. “I’m sorry, Grady.”

“When we do wrong, we need to confess our sin to Jesus,” said Dad. “And if our wrong has hurt someone else, we need to tell that person we’re sorry and ask for forgiveness.” Dad patted Jared’s shoulder. “We’ll do our best with that shirt, but it might never be quite the same again. But when we confess our sin, Jesus is ready and willing to forgive and completely wash it away.”

–Lyndel F. Walker

Shame Off You Apr 02, 2025

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Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

Casey was sitting on the edge of the deck, shoving a pointy stick into the muddy spring earth, when Grandpa sat down next to him.

“Hey, buddy. You’ve been quiet ever since your parents dropped you off to take your little brother to the hospital. Anything you want to talk about?” Grandpa asked.

Casey thrust the stick harder into the ground, sending the sticky mud splattering onto his feet. “It’s all my fault. It was my idea to race our bikes down the hill. And I was the one who teased him for not wanting to go faster. He wouldn’t have broken his arm if it wasn’t for me.” Casey leaned into Grandpa’s arm and sniffled. “I’m always doing stuff like that—teasing him and trying to get him to do things I know I shouldn’t. I—I’m a horrible person!” Casey buried his face in Grandpa’s chest and let his tears fall freely.

Grandpa put his arm around Casey’s small shoulders. “Casey, I know you feel bad, but that doesn’t mean you are bad.”

Casey lifted his head and looked at Grandpa. “What do you mean?”

“When we make poor choices, we know it’s sin and that we need forgiveness. But we also have to be careful not to allow shame to sneak in and tell us that we’re bad. Look at that stick you’re holding. It’s got mud on it, but it’s still a stick, right?”

“Well, yeah. Of course.”

“Well, shame tries to convince the stick that it’s all mud. But it’s not. It just needs someone to clean the mud off.”

“So if I’m like the stick, then I just need someone to wash my mud away?” A smile came to Casey’s face. “You mean Jesus, right?”

“You got it,” said Grandpa. “Jesus took the guilt and shame of our sin on Himself when He died on the cross. He washes us clean and makes us right with God. Because you trust in Jesus, that’s who you really are—a child of God whose sins have been washed away. Shame has no place in your life. When you feel bad about something, confess your sin to Jesus and He will forgive you. He died to take your shame off you so you could enjoy a new life with Him.”

–Tannis Oliveri

No Fooling Apr 01, 2025

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Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

Ava yawned as she came into the kitchen. Her brother Jayden glanced at her mischievously, then looked out the window. “Hey, Ava, how’d your bike end up on the roof of the garage?” he asked.

“What?” Ava ran to the window to see for herself. “Where?”

“April fool!” Jayden laughed in delight. “Gotcha!”

Ava grinned and gave her brother a soft punch on the arm as they sat down to eat.

At dinner, Ava and Jayden told their dad about the April Fools’ jokes kids played on each other at school. “It’s fun to have a day where everyone plays jokes like that,” said Jayden.

“As long as no one takes the jokes too far,” Dad said.

“Nobody did,” Ava assured him, “and everyone was expecting it since it was April Fools’ Day.” She paused to take a bite of broccoli. “But then there’s Louise. Today she was all smiles and sweetness to Mrs. Potter during math class but then said mean things about her at recess. Sometimes I don’t know what to make of her. She says she’s a Christian, but there are times when she doesn’t act like one. Like she’s just fooling people.”

Dad frowned. “I can think of three people right here who don’t always act like Christians. Let’s keep that in mind. It’s possible for any one of us to fool others.”

“But I’ve seen Louise do that stuff too,” said Jayden. “She acts one way around the teachers and another when they’re not looking. It’s hard to trust her.”

Ava nodded. “It seems like there’s another side to her that only some of us see.”

“Well, if what you say is true, that doesn’t mean she’s not a Christian,” said Dad. “We all struggle to do what’s right in some areas of our lives. But if any one of us is trying to fool people into thinking we’re Christians when we’re not, there’s someone who can never be fooled. God knows exactly what’s in our hearts. We can’t hide anything from Him, and we don’t have to, because Jesus died for us so all our wrongs could be forgiven. Now, let’s pray for Louise and think of ways we can show her love and support instead of talking about her.”

–Hazel W. Marett

God Made Them All Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

“Rose, look what I found in the woods!” Levi approached his sister carrying a cage. Something was moving inside.

Rose shrieked. “Get that out of here!”

Levi laughed. “It’s only a garden snake,” he said. “It can’t hurt you.”

“Daddy!” Rose dashed behind her father, her eyes filled with fear. “Kill it, Daddy!”

“Don’t be afraid.” Dad put an arm around Rose. “What Levi says is true; garden snakes aren’t poisonous. We don’t kill something for no good reason.”

“Why do people hate snakes?” asked Levi.

“I guess because they can look scary, or they remind us of bad things,” replied Dad. “It started long ago when Satan, in the form of a snake, tempted Eve in the garden of Eden and got her and Adam to sin. These days we sometimes hear about snakes killing other animals, like chickens. And some snakes are poisonous. Their bites can cause illness or even death.”

“If they’d quit biting people, maybe we’d like them better,” said Rose.

“God gives most animals a built-in mechanism for protection from enemies,” Dad explained. “Porcupines have quills, skunks spray, and snakes have venom.”

“But most snakes aren’t poisonous, are they?” asked Levi.

“No,” Dad said. “Actually, they can be very helpful to people. Snakes eat mice and rats that carry germs. Hundreds of years ago, the Bubonic Plague—caused by infected fleas that lived on rats—killed a fourth of Europe’s population. If there had been more snakes, the epidemic might not have been nearly as bad. And today, scientists are learning how to use snake venom to make medicine!”

“See, Rose,” said Levi, “there are lots of good things about snakes.”

Dad nodded. “God created everything—even snakes—to be good. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world, it messed everything up, but God promises to make it right again one day. When Jesus returns and makes everything new, there will be no more pain, sickness, or death, and we’ll never be afraid of any creature ever again.”

Levi and his sister studied their slithering captive in the cage. “Why don’t we measure it,” said Levi.

Rose hesitated. “Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll get a tape measure. But I won’t hold its tail!”

–Janet E. Rhine

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