Bible Reading: Philippians 1:20 “Traci, are you really trying out for cheerleading?” asked Jennifer. “Yes!” said Traci. “I’m so excited!” Jennifer laughed. “Cheerleaders are slim, Traci. Not chunky like you. Do your body a favor and sew your mouth shut!” Traci was stunned. She rushed home, bypassing her afterschool snack and going straight to her…
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:22-24, 29-32 Mack’s face burned in the blue-white glare of his tablet. He watched Alex pretend to hobble after a soccer ball, bent arm flapping like a wounded bird’s wing. He had his right ankle turned in, just like Mack’s. Three more “thumbs up” popped up on the screen as his classmate…
Bible Reading: Romans 8:14-18; 1 Peter 2:9 Sarah sat on a bench by the fence with her head down and her arms folded across her chest. Natalie ran past, chasing a soccer ball. She stopped when she saw her friend. “What’s the matter, Sarah?” “Amy and Kirsten were teasing me again. No matter what I…
Bible Reading: Genesis 16:13; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 28:20 Emma wrung her hands as her mom drove to the museum. Going to the art museum was Emma’s favorite thing to do on a rainy day. She just hoped she wouldn’t see anyone from school. Once they arrived, they looked at a few paintings. Emma moved close…
Bible Reading: Romans 12:14-21 Lucinda’s mom was laying logs in the fireplace, but she turned around when she heard the door rattle as it slammed shut. Lucinda sank down onto the couch. Mom sat down next to her. “What happened?” “Jacob called me a blabbermouth. I don’t even want to go back to school,” Lucinda…
Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17 Jackson stepped off the bus and walked toward Dad. “How was your day?” Dad asked as they began walking home. Jackson shrugged. “It was all right,” he said quietly. “Something wrong?” asked Dad. Jackson kicked at a rock on the sidewalk and shoved his hands into his pockets. He was embarrassed…
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 18:1-4 Jenny stooped down to tie her shoe while her class was running a lap for gym. As she knelt, one of her classmates veered and stepped on her hand. “Ow! Hey! You stepped on my hand!” Jenny yelled after the retreating girl. Susan was always bumping into Jenny or stepping…
Bible Reading: Proverbs 16:19-24 “Milo, listen to me say this verse,” Joel said as he helped his little brother learn a memory verse for Sunday school. He recited each word slowly. “Okay, now see if you can repeat it.” Milo tried to repeat the verse, but he stumbled over the unfamiliar words. Joel tried to…
Bible Reading: James 2:1-4, 8-10 “Mom, my new school is awful!” Tommy said, almost in tears. “The kids are so mean! They think that because we’re Navajo, we wear war paint and feathers and say, ‘Ugh! How! Me Big Chief Tommy Hawk.’ It’s humiliating!” “I’m sorry, Tommy,” Mom said. “I know what it’s like when…
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 2:23-24; James 3:5-11 Josie and Peter were silent on the ride home from Grandma’s house. “All right,” said Mom, “I know why Grandma was upset, but I’d like to hear from you two what happened.” Peter hung his head. “Josie and I were making fun of one of our teachers at…
