Bible Reading: Luke 10:25-37

Daniel usually loved going to science club at the library. Since he was homeschooled, it was fun meeting other kids his age and getting to learn with them. But lately, Daniel had been coming home from science club feeling down and irritated.

"Daniel, what's going on?" Mom asked when she picked him up outside the library. "I've noticed that you don't seem to be yourself after club anymore. Is something bothering you?"

"Someone is bothering me, not something!" Daniel replied in frustration. "There's a new boy named Oliver at club who believes that the world and everything in it was accidently made by some big explosion, not by God. He talks about it all the time, and I hate it. I wish he wasn't there!"

"That's challenging, Dan, and I can see why you're feeling frustrated. But do you know that Oliver is your neighbor?"

"No, he's not!" Daniel responded. "He lives on the other side of town and goes to the big elementary school there."

"I'm not talking about where Oliver lives, Daniel. In the Bible, Jesus taught His followers to love all people as if they were good neighbors and to show them kindness and respect. And He used a story about a Samaritan man to do it."

"I remember that story. But I never understood what a Samaritan was or why it was important that he helped the man who got robbed."

"In Bible times, Samaritans didn't believe everything that God's people, the Israelites, believed," Mom explained. "Because of this, many of the Israelites looked down on the Samaritan people and didn't want to have anything to do with them. Yet Jesus used a Samaritan man as an example of how to show love to people who are different from us. Like the Samaritan, we need to treat those who are different from us as neighbors because Jesus loves them so much He died for them too. Can you think of some ways you could treat Oliver like a neighbor?"

"Well, I guess I could try talking to him and asking him questions," said Daniel.

"Exactly!" said Mom. "And who knows? Maybe you'll have the opportunity to tell Oliver about who God is and how His creation shows His power and goodness. Let's pray and ask God to help you be a good neighbor to Oliver."

-Ashleigh Awosika

How About You?
Do you find it challenging to be around people who are different from you? If you know Jesus, you can be a good neighbor to all people and show them His love, no matter their backgrounds or beliefs. At His crucifixion, Jesus was able to love and pray for the very people who were hammering nails through His hands and feet. When we struggle with loving others, Jesus will help us. Trust Him to help you love everyone like He does.

Today's Key Verse:
Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself. (ERV) (Luke 10:27 )

Today's Key Thought:
Show God's love to everyone

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Philippians 2:5-8

Dawson scowled as he climbed into the car after basketball practice. "What's wrong, Dawson?" Mom asked. "Did your practice not go well?"

"No!" Dawson responded. "We split into teams for a practice game, and my team won by four, and I scored twenty-eight points! But instead of congratulating me, Coach lectured me after the game. He said I was hogging the ball and taking risky shots. He's going to sit me out half of our game this Friday so the other guys get to play more." Dawson shook his head. "It's not fair, Mom! I'm the best player on our team! I should be on the court."

Mom started driving home. "Do you remember when Dad was offered that high school teaching job last year?" she asked.

"Sure," Dawson replied. "But he turned it down because he likes teaching middle school better, right?"

"Actually, your dad has always wanted to teach high school," Mom explained. "But to take the job, our family would've had to move. You would've had to switch schools in the middle of the year, and I would've had to quit my new job at church. Your dad and I didn't think it would be a good fit for our family, so he turned down the job."

Dawson looked confused. "So Dad turned it down because of us?"

"Yeah," said Mom. "You know, Dad's decision reminds me of a verse in First Corinthians that says not to seek your own good, but the good of many. The Bible tells us that life isn't about making ourselves happy--it's about knowing Jesus and sharing His love with others. Even though He's God, He became human and died for us so we could have eternal life with Him, and He wants to help us show that same kind of love to others. But in order to do that, we have to think about others and how our actions affect them."

Dawson was quiet for a moment. Finally, he sighed. "I guess I could share the ball more with my teammates. Coach thinks it'll help them play better if they have more time handling the ball."

Mom smiled. "Sounds like you're starting to think about the good of many, Dawson. And you know what? That kind of thinking might just make you a better player yourself."

-Amy Tol

How About You?
Do you make decisions based only on what will make you happy? The Bible makes it clear that life isn't all about you--it's about Jesus and sharing His love with others. Friends, family members, neighbors--they all need God's grace, just like you do. And when you make decisions that help them instead of only thinking of yourself, you show them what it's like to be part of God's team.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (NIV) (1 Corinthians 10:31, 33)

Today's Key Thought:
Seek the good of many

Bible Reading: Psalm 62:5-8; Philippians 4:6-7

Thiago wriggled into the little thicket of shrubs behind the garage. It was his own special hiding place where he always went when he was feeling unhappy and wanted to be alone. Today he felt bad because he'd missed a ball in the ninth inning of his baseball game, and the other kids got mad at him. He sighed deeply as he thought about it.

A little bird rustled in the bushes, and the wind sighed softly overhead in the trees. As Thiago listened to the sounds around him, he began to forget his sadness. He always felt better in his hiding place. Then he heard his mother's voice. "Thiago!" she called. "Grandpa's here." Thiago quickly scrambled out. He didn't want to miss Grandpa's visit.

A few minutes later, Thiago and Grandpa were sipping lemonade on the porch. "Where were you just now?" Grandpa asked.

"I was feeling bad about missing a ball in our game this afternoon, so I went to my special hiding place," Thiago replied, knowing Grandpa would never tell anyone. "It's in the bushes over there behind the garage."

"I had a hiding place of my own when I was a boy," said Grandpa. "It was in the hayloft of the barn." He beamed. "I still have a hiding place."

Thiago looked surprised. "You do?" He wondered what kind of place someone Grandpa's age would use to hide out.

Grandpa nodded. "Get your Bible, and I'll show you where I go." Thiago ran to his room and soon returned with his Bible. "Look up Psalm 32:7," said Grandpa.

Thiago found the verse and read it out loud. "You are my hiding place." Thiago frowned. "You mean God is your hiding place?"

"Yep," said Grandpa. "God's presence is the best hiding place of all. I can go to Him wherever I am and tell Him how I feel. When I do, Jesus fills me with comfort and peace, and I know I can trust Him to be with me and work things out for my good." Grandpa smiled and gave Thiago a hug. "Next time you're sad, why not use the same hiding place I do--go to God. You can do that in your secret hiding place or wherever you are."

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
When you're unhappy, do you take your problems and sadness to God? He wants to hear about anything that's bothering you--trouble at school, disappointments with friends, or problems in your family. The next time you need help, go to the best hiding place of all--the Lord! Tell Him how you feel and trust Him to help you.

Today's Key Verse:
You [God] are my hiding place. (NKJV) (Psalm 32:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Go to God for help

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