FamilyDevotionals

“My mom says she doesn’t have favorites,” says Lily, 8. “But I think the dog is winning.” Every kid knows what it feels like when somebody plays favorites. Maybe your brother always gets the biggest slice of pizza. Or your friend always gets picked first for kickball. Or your grandma says all her grandkids are […]

“I want to be famous,” says Ethan, 9. “But only if it looks fun.” We all live for something. Approval. Comfort. Security. Success. Romans 2:8-10 presses a simple but uncomfortable question: What am I really living for? The apostle Paul is explaining that God looks beyond appearances. He sees direction. Some people live for self, […]

“If God gives everybody what they deserve, I’m in trouble,” says Caleb, 9. Aren’t we all! Romans 2:6-7 says that God “will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” That sounds scary at first. Who can say […]

“My dog is kind to me because she licks my face when I’m sad,” says Mia, 7. “If a dog can do that, God must be really kind.” Dogs are great at showing affection, but God’s kindness goes far deeper. In Romans 2:4, Paul writes, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, […]

“My brother thinks he’s the judge of everything,” says Ethan, 8. “Last week he told me I brushed my teeth wrong!” That sounds funny, but the truth is we’ve all been “toothbrush judges” at some point. We point out someone else’s mistakes while ignoring our own. That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul warns against in […]

“If you turn away from God, it’s like unplugging your night-light,” says Joshua, 6. “Then it just gets dark.” Romans 1:24-32 gives us one of the Bible’s clearest pictures of what happens when people reject God. Paul describes how those who push God away end up in confusion, sin, and brokenness. Instead of living in […]

“Creation teaches us that God likes to color outside the lines,” says Mia, 7. “Just look at zebras and jellyfish!” Romans 1:18-23 tells us that God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, are clearly seen in what He has made. Paul says people have no excuse for ignoring God. His fingerprints are everywhere […]

“If you’re not ashamed, it means you’re not afraid to tell people about Jesus, even if they think you’re weird,” says Tyler, 9. In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the […]

“If someone is feeling sad about God, you could give them a brownie and say a Bible verse,” says Jenna, 6. That’s actually not bad advice. Brownies and Bible verses are a strong combination! In Romans 1:8-15, Paul writes to the Christians in Rome by telling them he is thankful for them. He says, “First, […]

“I think God calls people because He doesn’t have a phone, so He has to call them in their hearts,” says Lily, 5. Romans 1:1-7 begins Paul’s letter with a powerful introduction: “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle…” (Romans 1:1). This tells us something important about God’s calling. “Because God […]

“If I told my teacher that a UFO landed on the playground during recess, she’d ask for video proof,” says Logan, 9. “Same thing if someone said Jesus rose from the dead. I’d want to see the evidence.” That’s a fair request. Fortunately, the Bible doesn’t ask us to believe without evidence. The Apostle John […]

“If I messed up like Peter, I’d probably hide under my bed and hope Jesus didn’t notice,” says Ella, 10. “Or maybe I’d bring him cookies first. Then, I would apologize.” That might have been tempting for Peter, too. After all, he had denied knowing Jesus three times on the very night Jesus was arrested. […]