Happy for the Harvest

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5–11 Mallory walked into the living room and threw her backpack on the floor. She looked up to see her dad watching her and frowned. “I don’t get it!” “Care to talk about it?” asked Dad. Mallory sighed. “It’s about Savanna.” “Savanna,” her dad repeated. “She’s the friend you’ve been praying…

Catch of the Day

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:18–22 Laney helped her dad get the fishing gear together and put it in the car. “All set, Dad! Let’s go!” She was excited about her first fishing trip with her father. As they traveled to the lake, Laney told Dad about a conversation she’d recently had with a friend. “I finally…

A Picky Witness

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 “I’m going to be a pilot when I grow up,” Gavin told his friend Beck as they watched a small plane circling overhead. “I want to be a missionary pilot!” His words were drowned out by the noise of the plane. “That’s an agricultural plane,” Gavin said when he could…

A Good Guide

Bible Reading: Proverbs 1:2-9 Bryn eagerly listened as Mr. Peters, the guest speaker in her class at church, told the kids about a recent trip he had taken to Egypt. “It was my first time in Egypt, and I felt a little lost at first. Everything seemed new and strange to me,” Mr. Peters said….

A Lesson in Mud

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:3-6 “But why can’t I go?” Sky asked when her parents wouldn’t let her go see a movie with a group of girls from school. “Sky, I don’t think that movie is a good one for you to see,” Mom said. “You can see another movie with them sometime.” “But everybody’s going…

But I’m Shy!

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 “So, how was your first day?” Mom asked. Merrie stared out the window at the passing scenery. “Pretty good. A girl named Danielle offered to show me around. If it weren’t for her, I would’ve been pretty helpless. That school is huge!” Mom adjusted the rearview mirror to see her better….

Ringo’s Enemy

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:19-21 Cole’s eyes flashed angrily as he came into the house. “Mr. Wilson kicked at Ringo! He tried to hurt him!” Mom frowned. “Oh dear. Maybe we can talk with him about it tomorrow.” “Yeah,” said Cole, “and show him how wrong he is!” Mom shook her head. “We’re going…

Speaking Up

Bible Reading: Romans 1:14-16 “Happy birthday!” Anne said when she arrived at her friend Rennah’s birthday party. Anne was excited because her family had moved recently, and she had been praying for new friends. Now she had some. But there was a problem at Rennah’s party. “Okay, you guys,” Rennah said when they were ready…

Getting Ready

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:35-51 Amy picked up the tissues and old drawings off the floor and threw them in the trash can. As she was making her bed, her little sister Cindy ran into the room. Amy’s dad followed her. “Grandma’s coming!” Cindy yelled. She had already told all her friends and teachers at preschool,…

The Hidden Gift

Bible Reading: Romans 5:8-15 Christmas was over, and Henry and Nevaeh helped their parents remove the ornaments, lights, and strands of garland from the Christmas tree branches. Soon the shimmering and festive tree looked bare except for the colorful tree skirt surrounding the tree stand. “Hey,” Henry called out. “Look at that!” He pointed to…