Bible Reading: Luke 15:4-10; Acts 1:8

"Mom, have you seen my other tennis shoe?" Piper ran from room to room with only one shoe on, desperately looking for the other one. She was supposed to be leaving to spend the night at her friend Aryanna's house.

"No, but I can help you look. Do you remember where you saw it last?" Mom asked.

Piper shook her head, and the two frantically looked for the missing shoe. They looked under beds, in the closet, in the bathroom, and even in Piper's brother's room.

"Are you sure you didn't pack it with your overnight things?" Mom asked.

Piper was about to say she would never do anything silly like that, but she knew Mom would just make her look anyway, so she began pulling out everything from her bag. The last thing she pulled out was her missing shoe. "Oops--here it is!" Piper said, a little embarrassed. "Well, I'm glad it's been found."

"Remember I'm going to pick you up for church tomorrow," Mom said as they got in the car. "Did you invite Aryanna to come?" Piper shook her head. "Did you know that the Bible talks about Jesus wanting us to help Him find what's lost?" Mom asked.

Piper shot her mom a puzzled look. "What could Jesus have lost that He would need our help finding? He's God's Son. He knows everything!"

"The Bible says Jesus wants us to help bring lost sinners to Him. We can do that by praying for them and sharing how He's changed our lives--and even by inviting them to church." Mom turned to look at Piper. "Do you remember how happy and relieved you felt when you found your missing shoe?" Piper nodded. "Well," said Mom, "the Bible says all of heaven rejoices when one sinner is saved. That's how happy God is when one lost person is found. And even though God is the only one who can change a person's heart, He wants us to play a part by praying for others and pointing them to Him so we can rejoice with Him when they're found."

"Okay, Mom. I'll see if Aryanna wants to come to church with us tomorrow," Piper said as they pulled into Aryanna's driveway. "And I'll pray for her too."

–Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Do you know people who don't know Jesus? We can't change people's hearts, but we can play a role in bringing others to Jesus by praying for them, telling them what He did for us on the cross, and inviting them to learn more about Him. Trust God to help you point others to Jesus, and when one of them is found, you can rejoice with all of heaven!

Today's Key Verse:
There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (NKJV) (Luke 15:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Point others to Jesus

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

"There goes Old Faithful!" Corbin said as they watched hot water burst from the ground and shoot high into the air. He and his sister Fiona were showing their aunt a video Corbin had made on their vacation to Yellowstone National Park. "The park ranger said the rock deep underground is so hot it heats the spring water," said Corbin.

"And then it reaches its boiling point and boils up and shoots out of the ground," added Fiona.

After their aunt had left, Fiona and Corbin got out a game. "You lose!" Corbin said after they played a little while. "You're not allowed to make that move!"

"I am too!" said Fiona. But Corbin wouldn't agree, and the two started arguing. Finally, Fiona pushed back her chair. "You make me so mad!"

"What did I do?" Corbin asked.

"Tons of things!" Fiona's voice grew louder. "You cheat, you used my bike without asking, you embarrassed me in front of my friends, and you spilled juice on my homework. I hate you!" She ran to her bedroom and slammed the door. Then she opened it and slammed it again.

Corbin followed Mom to Fiona's room. "You know we don't slam doors," Mom said. "And that angry outburst was not pretty."

"Yeah," said Corbin. "You erupted with more force than Old Faithful." He grinned. "Hey, I know! I'll call you Old Fiona."

"Corbin, go to your room," said Mom. "I'll talk to you later." When he had left, she turned back to Fiona. "Corbin does have a point."

"But he's mean!" said Fiona. "He'd make anybody mad!"

"We all have feelings of anger at times," said Mom. "We need to deal with them, not just let them build up and burst out. One way to deal with your anger is to talk to the person who made you angry and explain what's bothering you. Don't store up angry feelings and grudges. Make an effort to make peace and be friends."

"I don't think Corbin would listen, so why even bother?" asked Fiona.

"Give him a chance," said Mom. "And be willing to forgive. Remember that Jesus has forgiven you for all your wrongs and will help you forgive and love others. A loving relationship with anyone is always worth the effort."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
What do you do with your anger? Do you keep it inside and let it build up into bitterness and resentment? Does it erupt in angry words and hurtful actions? Don't let it do that! Talk with the person who made you angry, and if necessary, tell an adult how you feel. Then trust God to help you deal with your anger and be willing to forgive.

Today's Key Verse:
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:26)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't store up angry feelings

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; John 10:1-12, 27-28

Evening descended swiftly on the French Alps. Chloe snuggled closer to her dad as the two of them and her dad's friend Jules huddled around a fire for warmth. "Another good thing about being a sheep is all that wool to keep you warm," Chloe said.

Jules nodded. "It's almost time to put them in their pen for the night. If I wait until it gets too dark, the wolves come out."

Chloe's eyes widened. "Have you ever had to fight a wolf, Uncle Jules?"

He nodded solemnly. "Fortunately, I was able to save the lamb. The sheep know they are safe when they stay close to me, just like we are safe with Jesus, our shepherd."

"That doesn't mean bad things won't happen to us," Dad interjected. "Everyone goes through darkness and tough times. But our Good Shepherd promises to be with us through every dark valley we encounter."

"So we don't need to fear, just like David wrote in Psalm Twenty-Three," Chloe said softly. "Uncle Jules, what about the verse where David talks about God anointing his head with oil? What does that have to do with sheep?"

Jules grinned. "Do you think Chloe can handle this, John?"

"It's kind of gross, Chloe," Dad warned.

"I can handle it!"

"We have different medicine now, but back in David's day, shepherds used to pour oil over the sheep's heads to protect them from bugs," said Jules.

"That's not so gross--kind of like giving pets flea medicine."

"But these kinds of bugs would eventually make their way into the sheep's brains and destroy them."

"Ewww!" Chloe shuddered. "Good thing they have a shepherd to protect every part of them--even their brains."

"God does the same thing for us," Jules noted. "When we listen to the truth of His Word, it transforms and renews our minds and helps keep us from fixating on what might harm us. Instead of worry, we can feel His peace. That's why reading and memorizing God's Word is important."

Chloe gazed at the sheep thoughtfully. "Uncle Jules, I've learned a lot this week. One thing's for sure--I'm going to listen to my Good Shepherd."

–Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Do you follow Jesus as your shepherd? Jesus says He is the gate for the sheep--trusting Him to save you through His sacrifice on the cross is the only way to have eternal, abundant life. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) As His sheep, we need to listen to Him. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Listen to your Good Shepherd so He can fill your thoughts with His peace.

Today's Key Verse:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. (NIV) (John 10:27)

Today's Key Thought:
Listen to your Good Shepherd

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:4-7

Chloe gasped as the car rounded the mountain road and the French Alps were fully displayed. "I've never seen anything so majestic!"

Dad parked the car next to a rustic cabin. The cabin door opened and a man with dark curly hair and a beard exited with arms outstretched. "John! Come and hug your old friend!"

Chloe hung back, watching the happy reunion until the men turned to her. "Chloe, meet my old college friend, Jules! The last time we got together you were just a baby."

"You can call me Uncle Jules if you wish, Chloe. My, you are growing up quickly!"

"Do we really get to stay a whole week and help you care for your sheep? Dad says you have over a thousand! I read that shepherding is a difficult job. What's your favorite part about it?"

Jules threw up his hands and laughed. "Whoa! I'm not used to all these questions. The sheep aren't nearly as chatty." Jules winked at Chloe. "I'm happy to tell you all about it over a nice cup of coffee."

The next morning, Chloe was bundled and ready for a day of shepherding. After a few hours, she collapsed on the ground dramatically. "How do you not get bored, Uncle Jules?"

Jules chuckled. "It takes a certain type of personality to do this day after day, but I actually enjoy all this stillness. I have plenty of time to memorize God's Word out here and reflect on His goodness."

"Kind of like David did," said Chloe. "He was a shepherd too. Didn't he write that famous psalm about sheep?"

Jules nodded. "Psalm Twenty-Three."

"David compares us to sheep in the psalm," Dad pointed out. "And the Lord is our shepherd. When we had wandered away and were lost in sin, Jesus gave His life to save us, and He promises to guide us and take care of us."

Jules pulled a small, worn Bible out of his coat pocket and opened it to Psalm 23. Chloe read it aloud through verse three. "Today we are living out this psalm!" she said. "This morning you put salt out so the sheep could follow the route you wanted them to take. Just like you lead them on safe terrain, God guides us on the right paths."

–Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Have you ever thought about how much we are like sheep? Just like sheep, we want to go our own way and are prone to getting lost. We need a shepherd to keep us on the right path, and that shepherd is Jesus. He took the punishment for our sins to make us His sheep, and He guides us and provides for us. When we spend time in His presence, He refreshes our souls. How will you choose to follow the Good Shepherd today?

Today's Key Verse:
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. (NIV) (Psalm 23:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is our Good Shepherd

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 8:28-30

Alfie hoisted himself up onto a ledge of crumbling granite and collapsed on a small patch of mossy grass. "That was quite a climb!" he said as he rubbed his aching legs. "Aren't you tired, Uncle Don? We've hiked a long way."

"We'll catch our breath for a few minutes before we head back," said Uncle Don. He took off his backpack and set it down.

Alfie picked up some stones. "Look at this!" he said. Uncle Don knelt beside him, and they looked at the stone Alfie held in his hand. It was shaped like a triangle and came to an unmistakable point. "It's a real arrowhead, isn't it?" said Alfie.

"Sure looks like it to me," said Uncle Don.

Alfie brushed the dirt and dust from the stone and held it up so that the light glinted off its edges.

"You know," said Uncle Don, "the man who made that arrowhead carefully chiseled it, and he knew just how he wanted to use it."

Alfie looked at his uncle. "He would have used it for hunting, wouldn't he?"

Uncle Don nodded. "I imagine so. He would have had a specific purpose for that arrowhead, and I'm quite sure it accomplished its purpose. He probably used it to get food for his family." Uncle Don smiled. "Can you think of any lesson we can learn from that?"

"Hmm--shoot straight when you hunt?" Alfie said with a grin. "Though that's probably not the kind of lesson you're talking about."

Uncle Don laughed. "You're right. I think this arrowhead should remind us that someone made us for a special purpose."

"Yep," said Alfie. "God did!"

"That's right," said Uncle Don. "You're far more important than a simple arrowhead, Alfie, and God has a wonderful plan for your life. He created you with loving care, and He sent His Son to save you from sin and give you eternal life. He's using all your life experiences to shape you to be more like Jesus so you can serve Him the way He wants you to. Whenever you look at your arrowhead, remember that God has a purpose for your life and will be there to guide you every step of the way."

Alfie put the arrowhead in his pocket. "I will."

–Christi B. Kehn

How About You?
Did you know that God has a special plan for your life? God made you and sent His Son, Jesus, to save you from sin, and He has plans for you. Talk with Him every day and ask Him for guidance. Read the Bible to learn more about Him and how He wants you to live. Stop and thank Him for something wonderful in your life. Trust Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be.

Today's Key Verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans…to give you hope and a future." (NIV) (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today's Key Thought:
God has a plan for your life