Bible Reading: Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 1:5, 18-19 “I’m hungry!” declared Elle one afternoon. “And you know what, Toby? There’s candy way up on the top shelf of the cupboard. Let’s sneak some before Mom gets back from the store. She’ll never know! I’ve done it lots of times, and she’s never caught me yet!”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 14:1-6 Easton and Cade talked about a complicated football play as they ambled home from school. Suddenly, Easton stopped talking and sniffed the air. “Chocolate chips,” he said. Cade understood immediately. They were nearing Mrs. Jian’s house; she often baked cookies for the neighborhood kids. Even if she didn’t have cookies, they’d… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 12:18-19; Ephesians 4:20-25 Chris had his flashlights ready and the sleeping bags set up before the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it, Mom!” Chris opened the door wide and grinned at his friend Miles. “Want to play a game?” Chris asked. “Sure!” Miles hugged his mom before she left, and the boys headed… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8 Beth and her dad were outside sitting on their half-built treehouse. Beth was hand-sewing a pillow, and Dad was just about to start on the third wall when Beth asked, “Dad, remember what we talked about last week? About nails being perfect for their user to build with, and about how… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 29 Bam! Bam! Bam! Dad’s hammer pounded a nail into the board Beth was holding. “Well,” Dad announced dramatically, “another board has been placed in the custody of the treehouse! Thank you! Thank you very much!” Beth didn’t answer. “Uh, Beth?” Dad smiled sheepishly. “I’m waiting for some applause!” “What?… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 12:17-22 Ravi wound up for the pitch and let the ball fly, but it went too high. It sailed through the air over Logan’s head, and there was an awful sound of breaking glass as it crashed through Mr. Garcia’s store window. Logan gave a quick backward look over his shoulder. “Come… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 3:23; 6:23 Glad that’s over,” said Daniel as he, Matt, and Josh left church. “Let’s go have some fun.” Ten minutes later, they were on the footbridge over the highway. Opening his backpack, Daniel said, “I took these out of the ‘Free Veggies’ box at church. Let’s throw them off the bridge… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:6 Mom, I’m going to bring cookies over to the new neighbors.” Carrie slid the container under her arm. “Dad and I met them yesterday.” “Okay, honey,” Mom said. Carrie was nearly out the door when Mom suddenly stopped her. “Carrie, would you take Brianna with you?” Carrie frowned,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16 Timothy had fallen off his bike and broken his leg. At first it was fun to eat his meals on the sofa and watch cartoons, but now he was bored. He missed playing with his friends. “How are you feeling?” Dad asked when he came home from work. “My leg doesn’t… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-22 Emilia was watching TV with her family when her phone began to ding. It was a post from her friend Anna. Emilia opened it and saw a photo that showed Anna and four of their close friends hanging out. Emilia frowned and turned back to the TV. As the night… Continue Reading…