Bible Reading: Matthew 6:33; 13:44-46

"Well, buddy, tomorrow's your last day of vacation with your grandpa. What would you like to do?" Grandpa asked Everett as they sat on the porch together.

Everett patted Grandpa's dog, Bexley, while he thought. "I know!" he exclaimed. "Let's get some ice cream. You know, Grandpa--the one with jellybeans in it."

"That's certainly special," Grandpa replied. "I haven't seen that in a long time. But we'll try to find it."

The next afternoon, after Everett and Grandpa returned from a fishing trip, they set out to search for the special treat. The ice cream shop in town didn't have it. They asked at a shop in the mall, but it no longer served that dessert.

As the two returned to Grandpa's truck, Everett said, "Grandpa, I really don't want to give up. Can we please keep trying?"

Grandpa smiled. "We're not quitting, buddy. This is important! We'll keep on looking."

Finally, Grandpa suggested they check at the grocery store. There in the frozen food aisle, Everett located his favorite flavor of ice cream filled with colorful jellybeans.

"We did it!" Everett cried.

When they got home, Grandpa served them each a bowl of the sweet treat on the porch while Bexley sat between them.

"Our adventure to find this ice cream reminds me of a Bible story," Grandpa said. "The Bible compares the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure and a fine pearl. In the story Jesus tells, the men searching for these treasures sold all they had to get them."

"Kind of like how we were willing to visit so many places to find special ice cream," Everett added.

Grandpa nodded. "Knowing Jesus and being part of His kingdom is a treasure worth more than anything else. Since you've trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, Everett, you have found that treasure. Now you're on a journey for more than ice cream--a journey of growing to know and love Jesus more and more."

"A journey? Grandpa, I think you mean a treasure hunt! Now, can I please have more ice cream treasure?" Everett asked with a grin.

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Have you ever searched for something you truly wanted? God wants us to seek Him that way. We can trust Him to provide what we need as we set our hearts on seeking Him first--getting to know Him through prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship with other Christ followers. Knowing Jesus is the best treasure of all, and as we seek to grow in our relationship with Him, He fills our lives with the richness of who He is.

Today's Key Verse:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV) (Matthew 6:33 )

Today's Key Thought:
Search for God's treasure

Bible Reading: Luke 11:1-4

"What did you talk about in Sunday school today?" Sienna's dad asked as the family drove home from church.

"We learned that Jesus took time out of his busy day to pray," replied Sienna.

"Yes, He did, and that's a good thing for all of us to do," said Dad.

"Yeah, I know," said Sienna with a sigh. "I'm just so busy these days. I have basketball and gymnastics and Bible club, and I have a lot more homework this year too. I just don't have time to pray very much."

Mom smiled at her. "Sienna, what's the first thing you do when you get home from school?"

Sienna thought about it. "I call Mariana," she answered. "Unless she calls me first."

"And why do you call Mariana?" asked Mom.

"Because she's my friend," replied Sienna.

"If you're so busy, how do you find time to talk to her every day?" asked Mom.

Sienna shrugged. "I don't know--I just do. I make the time. I like talking with her--she's my friend."

"Well, Jesus is our friend too," said Dad. "He wants to be our very best friend. We should spend time talking with Jesus because we love Him--just like you spend time talking with Mariana because you care about her."

"But I never really know what to say when I pray," said Sienna. "It seems like the stuff I want to talk about wouldn't interest God."

"Oh, but it does," said Dad. "Jesus died and rose again so we could have a relationship with Him, and He cares about all our thoughts and feelings. And you can talk to Him anytime and anyplace."

Mom nodded. "Mariana doesn't go to your school, so you're not able to talk to her throughout the day, but Jesus is with you all the time. You can ask Him for help whenever you need it. And He wants to hear about all the ordinary things going on in your life too."

"Cool!" said Sienna. "I never really thought of prayer as talking with a friend."

"God is always available, but don't forget to also make a special time each day to talk with Him for a few minutes," said Dad. "He wants to hear all you have to say."

–Anna Somers

How About You?
Do you like talking with your friends? Did you know that if you're a Christian, Jesus is your friend too? He's always right there with you, and He wants you to tell Him whatever's on your mind--your feelings, problems, questions, joys, and sorrows. Talk to Him throughout the day like you would talk to your best friend, and also set aside a few minutes each day to shut out other things and spend time with Him in prayer.

Today's Key Verse:
You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. (NKJV) (Jeremiah 29:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Prayer is talking with a friend

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

"We have to defeat the monsters!" Max shouted, swinging his imaginary sword. "Let's go get them!" Max and his dad started charging across their backyard toward the imaginary monster lair, swinging their swords and shouting their war cries as they played heroes.

"But wait!" Max's dad stopped short. "We have to put on armor first!"

"Oh yes, you're right. To protect us!"

"Yes! What armor do you think we'll need?"

"A helmet!" Max declared. "And a breastplate!"

"That's exactly right! And don't forget a shield."

Max and his dad started putting on their imaginary armor, making sure their breastplates fit them well and their helmets were securely fastened.

"Now we have our full armor on!" Max said when they were ready.

"You know," Dad said, "the Bible talks about putting on the full armor of God."

"What does that mean?" Max asked.

"It means we should protect ourselves against the devil. Satan wants to lead us away from God, but the Bible gives us ways to stand against him. It says to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness."

"What about our shields and helmets?" asked Max.

"Great point. The Bible talks about taking up the shield of faith, which is faith in Jesus, and putting on the helmet of salvation. Our salvation comes from God when we place our faith in Jesus. Because of Jesus's death and resurrection, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life when we trust Jesus as our Savior, and we receive Jesus's righteousness--His goodness. The Bible also talks about taking up the sword of the Spirit"--Max's dad held up his imaginary sword--"which is the Word of God."

"Is that the Bible?" asked Max.

"Yes!" said Dad. "Putting on our armor helps us remember the truth and power we have in Jesus so we can stand against the devil's lies."

"Well, I want to put on the armor of God!" Max said. "Let's finish defeating these monsters with our pretend swords and then we can go inside and take up the sword of the Spirit by reading the Bible!"

"That sounds like a great idea, Max!" Dad smiled as they started charging toward the imaginary monster lair again.

–Elizabeth Cooper

How About You?
Are you wearing the armor of God for protection against the devil? When we place our faith in Jesus, He saves us from sin and Satan and makes us right with God. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Satan has no power over us, but he still tries to get us to stray away from God and His truth. Put on the full armor of God so you can stand firm against Satan's temptations and lies.

Today's Key Verse:
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. (CSB) (Ephesians 6:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Put on the full armor of God

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-22, 27

Mason's uncle, who raised sled dogs, had harnessed his team, and they were ready for action. "Now, Mason, which dog do you think is most important in getting this sled to the finish line?" asked Uncle Sean.

"The one in front," answered Mason.

Uncle Sean smiled. "That's Silver. He's called the lead dog. Now, which one do you think is least needed?"

"Well, I guess the one way in the back. He probably can't even see where he's going."

Without a word, Uncle Sean unbuckled the harness of the last dog. "Now which is least needed?" When Mason pointed to one of the smaller dogs, Uncle Sean unharnessed that one and asked the question again.

"You're not going to unharness them all, are you?" asked Mason as he pointed to another dog.

Uncle Sean grinned as he went to unharness that one. "I'll certainly leave the lead dog. You already said Silver was important. Now, which is next?"

"But Silver needs the other dogs to help pull the sled!" said Mason. "He can't do it alone. The other dogs might not be as important as the leader, but he needs their help."

"Yes, he does," said Uncle Sean. "But if the others are needed, doesn't that make them just as important as the lead dog?"

"I…I guess so," said Mason thoughtfully. "It seemed like the one in front would be more important than the others, but I guess he really isn't."

"He seemed more important because he's in a more prominent position," Uncle Sean explained. "But always remember that the smallest or least noticed member of a team is just as important as the one who gets the most attention. They all work together." Uncle Sean began harnessing the dogs again. "People are a lot like that. Sometimes we think the leaders are the only ones needed, but that's not true."

"Our sermon last week was about that," said Mason. "Pastor Donovan said God's church is like a body and every part is needed."

"That's right," said Uncle Sean. "In God's sight, what you do for Him is just as important as what anyone else does. We all need to work together as a team to show the world how good it is to know Jesus."

–Deborah S. Marett

How About You?
Do you ever feel like what you do isn't as important as what other people do? Even if the things you're asked to do aren't the things people tend to notice, God notices. He gave you the gifts and talents you have so you can serve Him right where He wants you. Trust Him to help you do your part, knowing that your role is just as important as anyone else's.

Today's Key Verse:
Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 12:22)

Today's Key Thought:
Your role is important

Bible Reading: John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; Colossians 3:15

Kristy plopped down on the couch. The wintry sky was gray, and it matched her mood perfectly. She kicked away the plastic ball her baby brother had gotten for Christmas and sighed. If only she had gotten the game she'd been hoping for since her birthday in October. It was bad enough the whole world still seemed drenched in the cheerfulness of the season. Now she had to wait ten whole months before she had any chance of getting the one thing she'd wanted for so long.

She stared as little Jake balanced on his tiny belly, straining with all his might to reach the plug of the lamp that hung just out of reach. Drool dribbled from his toothless mouth as he concentrated. Kristy reached for the ball and rolled it toward him, but he ignored it, still determined to grasp the dangling cord.

"Come on, Jakey," Kristy said, wiggling the ball to distract him. "That cord's not good for you. That heavy lamp could fall." She tried pulling him out of sight of the cord, but he screamed in angry protest. "Shh." She rubbed his back, but it only made him angrier. "You don't understand. You have so many fun things over here in your basket. Why do you cry over the one thing you can't have?"

Suddenly a small voice pierced Kristy's heart, and she winced. She'd been acting no different than Baby Jake. Why do I mope over one thing I can't have? she thought.

Kristy looked around the room. The Bible Grandma had given her still sat in its box. She tugged it out of the packaging and let it fall open. Her eyes fell on a verse that said, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" Her eyes moistened as she pictured Jesus on the cross, arms open wide, loving her as He gave the gift of His life to pay for her unthankfulness and every other sin.

Across the room, Jakey sat watching her, his drooly thumb half sticking out of his mouth. She caught his eye, and he broke into a toothless grin.

Suddenly Kristy felt like the world's richest girl. "Thank you, God, for giving me the gift of all gifts--Your Son, Jesus!"

–Rebekah Love Dorris

How About You?
Have you ever been so focused on what you didn't have that you forgot all that God has given you? It's easy for us to compare what we have with what our friends have, but that doesn't make it right. It's always more satisfying to count your blessings than to write a wish list. This Christmas, thank God for giving you the best gift of all--the gift of Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Be thankful