Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4

"Hi, Grandma!" said Audrey when she arrived at her grandmother's house. "I'm glad I get to spend the weekend with you."

"I am too," said Grandma, giving Audrey a hug. "How is everything at home?"

Audrey frowned. "I thought it was great that Dad got married again, but now Monica and I aren't getting along."

"Oh?" said Grandma. "But, Audrey, Monica is a lovely Christian woman. And the Bible says to honor your parents. That means your stepmother too."

"Well, she doesn't honor my mother, so I don't see why I should honor her."

Grandma raised her eyebrows. "What's the problem?"

"She's changing everything," said Audrey. "Mom had our house just perfect, but Monica moves the furniture and the pictures all around. And she doesn't cook the same food Mom did, and she's even changing some of our house rules! And the worst part is Dad doesn't seem to mind any of this--he agrees with her!" Audrey sighed. "It's not fair. I feel like I'm losing Mom all over again."

After dinner, Grandma took Audrey up to the attic. "Before your mother died, she asked me to give you this when you were old enough," Grandma said, pulling the dust cover off a large object.

"Her doll house! Mom told me how she used to play with it all the time." Audrey bent over to peer into the tiny rooms. "I love it! Can I paint it, Grandma? I want the bedroom to be blue, and the old-fashioned parlor can be a rec room."

"Really?" asked Grandma. "But your mother liked it the way it is. Won't you be dishonoring her by changing everything?"

Audrey looked shocked. "But, I just…I don't see how…" She paused, then looked at Grandma. "You gave me this doll house today because of Monica, didn't you?"

Grandma nodded. "God blessed you with a wonderful Christian stepmother. He loves her and put her in your life because He loves you too, and He wants you to honor and obey her. She isn't dishonoring your mother, even though she doesn't do things exactly the way your mother did."

"I know you're right, Grandma," said Audrey with a sigh. "I'll obey Monica and honor her decisions--just like I did with Mom."

–Ruth McQuilkin

How About You?
Do you have a stepparent or step-grandparent? Does it bother you when they do things differently from how your parent or grandparent would do them? Jesus knows what it's like to have a stepparent. After coming to earth as a baby, He was raised by His mother and His stepfather, Joseph. Trust Him to help you show His love to parents and stepparents by honoring and obeying them.

Today's Key Verse:
Honor your father and your mother. (NKJV) (Exodus 20:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Honor parents and stepparents

Bible Reading: Romans 8:5-14

Jack set the soccer ball on the hash mark and readied himself for the penalty shot. It was his favorite part of soccer practice. When Coach Johnson blew the whistle, Jack kicked a rocket into the top right corner of the net. "GOAAAAAL!" he yelled.

He was about to high-five Coach Johnson on his way to the back of the line when he suddenly stopped and began scratching his arm furiously.

"What's wrong, Jack?" Coach Johnson asked. "Let me have a look."

"These bumps won't stop itching," Jack groaned. "I got poison ivy last weekend."

"Don't scratch it," Coach Johnson said.

"I can't help it!" said Jack. "I have to scratch. It feels so good!" He was about to scratch some more but stopped when he saw Coach Johnson's raised eyebrow.

"It may feel good for the moment, but you're only making it worse. Look how red it's getting," Coach said. "You know, Jack, this reminds me of the sermon my pastor gave at church last week. Your rash is a lot like sin."

"You mean it's a sin to scratch?" said Jack.

Coach Johnson chuckled. "No, it's not a sin to scratch. What I mean is that our sinful nature often urges us to do wrong like your bumps urge you to scratch them. What happened at last Saturday's game when that kid tripped you after you blocked his goal?"

"I went to push him down from behind, but then I stopped and walked away," Jack said.

Coach nodded. "It would have felt good for two seconds to get him back, but then what?"

"I would've gotten kicked out." Jack looked at his coach. "I'm glad I didn't scratch the itch to get even."

Coach smiled. "Our sinful urges will never fully go away until we get to heaven, but because we trust in Jesus, we don't have to give in to them. He's given us the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us and gives us power to follow the desires God puts in our hearts instead--desires to love Him and those around us. We don't have to scratch the itch to do wrong--and even when we do, Jesus promises to forgive us."

"Okay," Jack said. "I won't scratch the itch--whether it's sin or poison ivy!"

–Robert A. Gutierrez

How About You?
Do you sometimes want to do wrong things? Even if you're a Christian, you'll still feel the urge to sin. But guess what? You don't have to give in to those temptations because Jesus freed us from the power of sin when He died and rose from the grave. When we trust Him as our Savior, we get to experience His endless forgiveness and live in freedom knowing He gives us power to say no to sin.

Today's Key Verse:
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. (NLT) (Romans 8:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Say no to sin

Bible Reading: Luke 9:18-20

"Ow!" yelped Avery. "Quit pinching me, Levi!"

"It's St. Patrick's Day, and you're not wearing green," said Levi. "That means you get pinched!"

"I am wearing green!" Avery insisted. "My shirt is green. You just can't see it because my sweater is covering it up." She turned to her mother. "Mom, why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day?"

"It's because he was from Ireland, the Emerald Isle," said Levi. "And St. Patrick found a four-leaf clover, which was green, and he drove all the snakes out of Ireland and--"

"Hold on, Levi," said Mom. "Patrick actually grew up in England but was captured by Irish raiders as a teenager. He was a prisoner for several years and became a Christian during that time. When he finally escaped, he returned to England, but eventually went back to Ireland to tell people about Jesus."

"But what about the stories of him finding four-leaf clovers and driving snakes out of Ireland?" asked Levi.

"Those are fables, though I've read that he used a three-leaf clover to help people understand the Trinity," said Mom. "Just because you hear people say things doesn't mean they're true. The truth often gets covered up by what people want to believe."

"Like how Avery's sweater is hiding her green shirt?" asked Levi.

Mom nodded. "It's not just St. Patrick's story that people get wrong. A lot of people believe wrong things about Jesus too. They think He was just a good man who was killed for standing up for what He believed, but that's not true at all. He was and is God, and He died to take the punishment for our sins and then rose again to give us eternal life. That's what the Bible tells us, and it's the truth."

"And that's what Patrick went to tell the people in Ireland, right?" asked Levi.

"Yes," said Mom. "He didn't go back to the land where he was held captive to tell people about a good man. He went back to tell them about the loving God who became human and died so they could be forgiven--and who helped Patrick forgive those who wronged him so they could know the truth. That's the true story of St. Patrick's day."

–Jennifer Quakenbush

How About You?
What have you heard people say about Jesus? That He was just a good man? Or that He is God's Son who died on the cross for your sins? The Bible tells the true story. Jesus is God, and He loves you so much that He died and rose again to take away your sin and give you eternal life--and that's the truth! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse:
Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them. (ERV) (1 Timothy 1:15 )

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus died for you

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Ellie and Keely had been friends for a long time. They lived on the same street and went to the same school. But now Keely's family was moving away.

On their last day together, the girls played at Ellie's house while Keely's parents packed. "I'm already sad," said Ellie. "I keep thinking about tomorrow and the day after that. Who will I play with then?"

"I wish I didn't have to go," said Keely with a sigh.

Just then Ellie's mom called them to the kitchen for lunch. This is our last lunch together, Ellie thought sadly. Then she had an idea. "I know what we can do," she said, lifting up her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "We both eat a lot of these, right? So whenever we do, let's think of each other and remember all the fun things we did together."

"Good idea!" said Keely. "We'll be peanut butter and jelly friends!"

Ellie's mom smiled at the girls. "Your sandwiches will be reminders of your friendship. Does that make you think of anything you heard at church yesterday?"

"Um…oh, I remember!" said Ellie. "At our Communion service, Pastor Jim read about Jesus eating the Passover supper with His disciples just before He was crucified. Jesus said the bread and wine were reminders of His body and blood."

"Oh yeah!" Keely said. "He told His disciples that when they got together and ate and drank those things, they should think about Him and what He did. And He said they should remember that He'll come back again someday."

"That's right!" said Mom. "Communion is a special time when the church remembers the sacrifice Jesus made when He died on the cross to save us from sin. It's a time to remember what He did for us and look forward to the day when we'll celebrate Communion with Him when He returns."

Ellie smiled. "So now whenever I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I'll remember you, Keely--and look forward to when your family comes back to visit so we can have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches together again!"

"Right," said Keely. "And even better than that, one day we'll have Communion together with Jesus!"

–Myrina D. McCullough

How About You?
Have you thought about the meaning of Communion at church? When the bread is passed, think of Jesus's body and how He was willing to suffer pain and take the punishment you deserve. When the juice is passed, remember that He was willing to shed His blood--to die--so that you could have eternal life. Use this special time to remember how much Jesus loves you and that He's coming again someday.

Today's Key Verse:
This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. (NKJV) (Luke 22:19)

Today's Key Thought:
Think of Jesus during Communion

Bible Reading: Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:34-40

Tyler and his dad were enjoying a quick breakfast at the park before Tyler's baseball game. Dad had picked up a couple extra ham biscuits to save for later.

As Tyler was eating, he noticed a man who appeared to be homeless sitting on a bench on the other side of the park. "Dad, do you see the man sitting over there? I wonder if he's hungry. Would it be okay if we offered him a biscuit?"

"I think that would be a nice thing to do," Dad answered, and they walked across the park.

"Good morning!" Tyler said to the man. "My name is Tyler, and this is my dad. We have some extra ham biscuits. Would you like one?"

The man's eyes lit up. "Thank you!" he said, taking a biscuit. "My name is Chris. Would you like to sit down?" Tyler plopped down next to Chris and Dad sat beside Tyler. "Do you have a game today?" Chris asked, noticing Tyler's baseball uniform.

"Yep, the game starts in an hour. Dad and I like to get here early so I can practice."

"What position do you play?" Chris asked.

"Mainly third base."

They sat and talked for a while longer, and just before they left, Tyler asked Chris if he would like him to pray for him.

Chris smiled. "That would be nice."

After they finished praying, Chris looked at Tyler, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Thank you for sharing your food with me, and thank you for spending time with me and praying for me."

Tyler smiled. "I hope we see you again. Come watch the game if you want."

"I just might do that," Chris replied.

As they walked away, Dad said, "That was a really thoughtful thing you did. You know, the Bible says that when we do good to others and share with those in need, we're doing those things for Jesus. They are sacrifices that please Him because they show others the kind of love He showed us when He sacrificed His life to save us. You were the hands and feet of Jesus this morning." Dad smiled. "Come on, we still have time to practice throwing before the game starts."

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Have you ever helped someone in need? It doesn't have to be a stranger. It could be your grandma, your uncle, or an elderly neighbor. When you give your time and anything else you have to help someone in need, you are showing them the love of Jesus. Let His love shine through you so you can be His hands and feet in the world.

Today's Key Verse:
Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (NLT) (Hebrews 13:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Share with those in need