Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-10

"You and Dad are coming to my band concert tonight, right?" Zane asked at breakfast one day. "I've been practicing so much, I think I know our pieces backwards! And I get to play a special number with a smaller group--a brass ensemble."

"We'll be there," Mom assured him. "We wouldn't miss it."

"Can I go too?" asked Matilda eagerly. Mom assured her that she could go along.

When it was time to get ready for the concert that evening, Zane was a bit nervous. "The timing on some of our pieces is kinda tricky," he said. "What if I mess up?"

"Just watch your conductor carefully and you'll do fine," said Dad.

Zane nodded. "Mr. Liu stopped us in the middle of a piece the other day. Torin, one of the drummers, was really going at it, and he wasn't watching Mr. Liu at all. He played half a line before he realized nobody else was playing. Everybody laughed, even Mr. Liu, but then he gave us all a lecture on how important it is to follow his leading." He paused, then added, "I really like him. He's a good band leader."

"Mine is too," said Matilda.

"You don't have a band leader," said Zane. "You're not in a band."

"Am too!" said Matilda. "I'm a Christian, so I'm in God's band of believers." She looked accusingly at her brother. "You forgot!"

"Good for you, Matilda," said Dad. "You remembered, and I know you want to follow your leader too. Who is that leader?"

"Jesus!" Matilda answered.

"That's right," said Dad. "He's the very best leader of all."

"What happens if I don't follow Him?" asked Matilda.

"Well," said Dad, "Zane's band has to follow their leader to play a beautiful song for other people to hear, and it's the same with Christians too. As we follow Jesus's example and let Him lead us in sharing His love with others, our lives become a beautiful song that helps others hear about Him and what He did to save us. There may be times when we mess up or play out of tune--times when we sin and do things that are selfish and wrong--but all we have to do is confess our sin, and Jesus will forgive us and help us find our place again."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Are you following Jesus? Are you letting Him guide you in how to live your life? If you're a Christian, you're a member of His band of believers--the church--and He is your leader. As you learn more about Him in the Bible, trust Him to lead you in loving others the way He does. There will be times when you mess up and do things that are wrong, but Jesus will forgive you and help you do better. Follow Jesus and trust Him to make your life a beautiful song that points others to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us. (NIV) (Ephesians 5:1-2 )

Today's Key Thought:
Follow Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 12:4-8; Colossians 1:12-18

"Mom!" Zane called as he came into the house. "Guess what? Even though we moved here in the middle of the school year, I can join the band! Mr. Liu, the band leader, says the school has instruments the kids can use, so I'm going to be in the band and play a trumpet."

"That's great!" said Mom. "I'm glad that worked out for you. When do you start?"

"Tomorrow," replied Zane. "I'll get my trumpet and officially belong to the middle school band!"

When Dad heard the big news, he grinned. "So, you finally get to play in a band!" he said, knowing Zane had been disappointed his old school didn't have one.

But Matilda, Zane's little sister, frowned. "I want to be in the band too," she declared.

"You can't. You're too small," Zane told her.

"I can too," she insisted. "All you need is an instrument, and I already have one!" She held up a toy horn she'd been playing with.

"And you have to be big enough," added Zane.

Dad smiled at Matilda. "Zane is right, honey. It will be a few years before you're old enough to play in the school band."

Matilda looked unhappy. "Can I join a different band then?"

"Well, let's see," said Dad. He snapped his fingers. "I got it! I know of a band anyone can join."

Matilda smiled at that news, but Zane looked doubtful.

"It's not a musical band--it's a different kind of band," said Dad. "It's the band of believers--a group of Christians called the church. Do you know what you need to become a member of that band?"

"I do," said Zane. "You need Jesus."

Dad nodded. "Right. And anyone can become a member, no matter how old they are. When we join God's band of believers, all our sins are forgiven and we become part of God's kingdom forever. He also gives each of us a part to play in helping the world hear about Jesus."

"Kind of like how everyone in a musical band works together to play a song," Zane observed.

Matilda grinned. "See, Zane? I'm big enough to be in a band too--and I'm already in one because I've trusted Jesus to save me!"

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Do you belong to the band of believers--the church? That doesn't just mean the local church you attend each week. It means all believers throughout the whole world--everyone who has trusted Jesus as their Savior. When you become a member of this band, your sins are forgiven and you become part of God's kingdom. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.) Then, as you play your part along with your fellow band members, you can help more people hear about Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV) (Romans 12:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Join the band of believers

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-11

Cleo walked around the room collecting assignments from her classmates. As she reached the end of the last row, she saw Kara staring back at her from the front, waiting. When she reached Kara, Cleo held her hand out, expecting Kara to hand over her assignment. Instead, Kara threw the sheet on the ground for her to pick up. Stunned, Cleo felt her face warming up. Soft laughter rippled through the air like tiny waves in the ocean, quiet and discreet. She didn't know what else to do except bend down and scoop the paper off the ground.

After handing the assignments to her teacher, Cleo made the long trek back to her desk while she felt the room staring at her.

Pathetic, she thought. I should have just left the paper on the ground. Better yet, I should have ripped it into shreds!

She opened up her notebook to bury her face in. But she quickly noticed something was different. Oh, this isn't my math notebook, she thought. This is my prayer journal. She furrowed her brow as she flipped through the pages. I must've brought this one by accident. There, in rich gold ink, was a verse she had memorized at summer camp: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17–18. There it was, written like the golden rule. Cleo couldn't help but think it wasn't a coincidence she had brought the wrong notebook. Suddenly, she felt peace rush over her like still water.

She kind of regretted not taking revenge on Kara because she had embarrassed her. But isn't that what it meant to be a follower of Jesus--to be humble in the face of challenges? To repay evil with good? When Jesus died on the cross, He died for all our sins, including Kara's, Cleo thought. If He can forgive me, I can forgive Kara. Taking revenge on Kara would've made Cleo feel good, and it surely would've saved face. But then Kara wouldn't get to experience what a true follower of Jesus looks like.

-Toria Keyes

How About You?
Do you have the urge to pay someone back for how they wronged you? Maybe you want to hit your brother back when he hits you or steal your classmate's pencil after they stole your pen and lied about it. Isn't that what they deserve? It may seem like it, but God helps us choose to love instead. He could have given us what we deserve for sinning, but instead Jesus died for us. Instead of revenge, we can choose peace and repay evil with good.

Today's Key Verse:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (NIV) (Matthew 5:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Repay evil with good

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-8

Adelyn frowned at the TV. Wind was whipping around in the news video being shown. She trembled as the wind knocked a tree into a house. The reporter on the TV didn't sound scared, but Adelyn didn't like what she was seeing.

"Oh no…" Adelyn covered her eyes as the reporter moved from talking about the tornado to talking about a robbery.

"Adelyn!" Her grandpa sounded startled. "I didn't know you were in here." She heard the creak of his recliner.

Adelyn pulled her hands down from her face and looked at the TV. It was now blank. She let out a relieved breath.

Grandpa nodded toward the door. "We don't need to watch that. Let's go outside and focus on something good."

Adelyn stepped out into the yard, smiling when Grandpa had her stop to smell his favorite rosebush. Everything seemed happier away from the TV.

"Our neighbors brought home a new baby," Grandpa said. "He looks as small as you when you were born." He pointed down the street. "People have been coming and going at their house, bringing them food and gifts."

Grandpa pointed out a bed of marigolds. "I always thought those looked like little cheery suns."

"They do." Adelyn smiled again.

"I want you to remember something." Grandpa crouched down to pet the neighbor's dog that had run into their yard. "All that stuff you see on TV, all that dark stuff…even as that's going on, there are good things happening too. We shouldn't just focus on the bad and ignore the good."

"But why do they show all that?" asked Adelyn. "Why do you watch it?"

"I like to know what's going on," Grandpa said. "I want to know how I can pray for others who are hurting. But I don't get so caught up in it that I forget God is still good and that He's always blessing us. We need to see the beauty in the world and not just the bad. We need to remember that Jesus loves us and that He died and rose again to save the world. We need to trust that God is working out His plan to make everything right one day." He waved his arms around. "All of this--nature and the people living around me--they remind me that God is good."

-Emily Acker

How About You?
Does watching the news ever make you feel sad or afraid? It can be hard to hear about all the bad things going on in the world, but remember there are good things happening too. God loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us, and He is at work in the world. He fills our lives with good things and promises to end sin and suffering forever one day. Remember that He is good and enjoy His blessings all around you.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (NIV) (Psalm 145:9)

Today's Key Thought:
God is good

Bible Reading: Proverbs 12:15-18; Galatians 5:22-23

Maddie's brother Jason came into the kitchen wearing a frown. "I just met a grizzly bear!" he told his mom as he poured himself some cereal. "Maddie sure is grumpy." Just then there was a knock at the door. "It's for Grizzly," Jason muttered, seeing one of Maddie's friends through the window. He called for his sister.

Maddie came out of her room and scowled at him. "You could have answered the door," she hissed. She pulled the front door open. "Hey, Claire!" she said, smiling.

After Maddie and Claire left for school, Jason shook his head. "How can she be so grumpy one minute and so happy the next? She sure is moody!"

A few days later, Maddie hummed happily as she helped her dad get the grill ready for hamburgers. But when her little sister wanted to help, Maddie angrily shooed her away. Then she checked the grill. "The fire is out," she said and picked up the fuel starter. "I'll squirt some of this on the coals."

"No, don't!" Dad called out, but he was too late. Maddie was tipping the starter can over the hot coals. Immediately, flames shot up at her.

"Oh!" Maddie exclaimed, jumping back.

Dad grabbed her. "Are you okay, Maddie?"

She nodded nervously. "I didn't expect that! The fire was out!"

"You know, honey," Dad said as he flipped hamburgers a few minutes later, "these hot coals remind me of you lately. You're calm one minute and blowing up at someone the next."

Maddie's face flushed. "I…I am?"

Dad nodded. "And the person you snap at doesn't expect it. Just like you jumped to get away from that fire, your moodiness makes people want to avoid you."

"Oh." Maddie sighed. "So what should I do?"

"Well, first you need to remember that Jesus has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can respond to others in love. Trust Him to help you be more even-tempered. Then think about whether there's something you need to talk to someone about. Sometimes, when something is bothering us, it can cause us to have mood swings. Your mom and I are always here to help, and so are the counselors at your school. And you can talk to Jesus about it too."

Maddie nodded. "Okay, Dad." She gave him a small smile. "I'll do that."

-Sara L. Nelson

How About You?
Are you moody? Are you happy one minute and angry the next? We all feel sad, upset, or discouraged at times, but continual moodiness may point to a deeper problem. Talk to Jesus about it, and trust Him to help you control your moods and share His love and joy with others. And don't be afraid to seek help from a trusted adult if your feelings become overwhelming.

Today's Key Verse:
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person holds it in check. (CSB) (Proverbs 29:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Learn self-control