Read: Ephesians 4:30-32; 1 John 1:9 Mia loved playing foursquare. Every day at recess, she was first to grab the big rubber ball and station herself inside the “king” square of the painted foursquare grid. Thwump! The ball ricocheted out of Tatiana’s square and rolled into the bushes. “You’re out!” called Mia gleefully. “And I’m…
Read: Romans 8:1-9 Jonah sifted through the model airplane parts covering his desk until he found the one he wanted. Almost done! I just have to get this propeller on. His fingers clutched the plane as he tried to attach the propeller. Then he heard a crunch. He had held the plane so tightly that…
Read: 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…
Read: Matthew 7:1-5; James 1:12-15 “I can’t believe it! Andrew says he’s a Christian, but I saw him looking at a bad website on his tablet today,” Zane told his dad. “He must be really weak to look at that kind of stuff.” “So looking at websites like that doesn’t appeal to you at all?”…
Read: Proverbs 15:1-4; Ephesians 4:31-32 “You’re always messing up this room,” Hannah said as she pushed her sister’s things off the dresser. “You’re such a pig!” “You’re the pig. And leave my things alone!” yelled Margo. “Then keep your stuff off my side of the dresser!” Hannah shot back.The fighting escalated, and soon Mom appeared…
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:44-46 Roman stomped into the house and headed for the stairs, not even bothering to say hello to his family. “Hey there, Roman!” Dad called from his place at the counter. Roman mumbled something and then proceeded upstairs and slammed his bedroom door. The house shook. Eva, his sister, entered the house…
Bible Reading: Romans 5:3-5; Galatians 5:22-25 “You take the sword, Leo, and be ready when I storm the castle,” Javier instructed as he slipped on his dragon mask. His little brother nodded, put on his knight helmet, and paced back and forth in front of the tent. Javier ran off and disappeared from Leo’s view,…
Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-14; Hebrews 4:14-16 Editor’s note: This story mentions abuse and may not be suitable for young children. “Everyone, this is Grace,” the teacher told the class. Grace stared at the rows of faces from the front of the room. The teacher had everyone say their names, but Grace didn’t bother listening. No…
Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:1, 4; Ephesians 4:29-32 “Hey, Steve! Check out the progress I’ve made on my coloring book!” Miffed by his little sister’s insistent nudge, Steve barked a quick-tempered, “Not now, Lily! Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep?” “Guys, please try to get along,” Mom chimed in. “We’ll be at our next stop…
Bible Reading: James 3:3-10 “Don’t jerk the reins like that!” Peyton snapped. “How often do I have to tell you?” Her younger cousin Lexi shifted in the saddle. “Sorry,” she murmured. Peyton frowned. “See that you remember after this.” “Come here for a minute, Peyton,” called Mom, who was watching. “Right now? I’m in the…
