Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36 “Muffin!” yelled two-year-old Isabel as she toddled into the living room. She plunked down on the floor next to Muffin, the family dog. Isabel reached out a chubby hand and pulled Muffin’s fluffy brown tail. Muffin didn’t bite or even growl. She just moved away as quickly as she could and…
Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-9 “Rhett makes me so mad!” Emmy told her dad. “He was really mean to me after I fell during my race today. He said I was a total failure! I feel like giving him a good kick and yelling in his face.” “Maybe you should let him know you’re really angry…
Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:1-4 Gemma looked in horror as her chocolate milkshake began to spread over the table. “Why can’t you leave my stuff alone, Elle?” she yelled. “I didn’t mean to spill it,” said Elle. Her lower lip was trembling. “I just wanted a taste.” Mom unrolled some paper towels and took them to…
Bible Reading: Philippians 2:12-18 “James, can you hold the door open for me?” Dad called. But James and Abby were too busy fighting over which video game to play to hear him. “James!” Dad called again. “Please hold the door open so I can bring the ladder in.” “Why do I always have to help…
Bible Reading: Psalm 32:1-5 Austin looked up when he heard a knock at the window. Mom was outside motioning for him to join her. He pressed the pause button on his game controller and ran out to the backyard. Mom was standing behind the garage, looking at the ground. “There’s something here I want you…
Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:10; 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 Thatcher and Mae had given up trying to eat the dry mints at their table at Jessica’s wedding. They had waited a long time already for their cousin and her new husband, Matt, to arrive so the reception could start. As her tummy growled, Mae said, “Food sounds…
Bible Reading: Psalm 143:8-10; Titus 2:11-12</a > Cody’s black Labrador tilted his head to one side and lifted his front paw. “No, not shake! Fetch!” Cody walked over and picked up the ball for what felt like the hundredth time. “Can’t you learn anything? Fetch! Fetch, Baxter. Fetch!” Cody hurled the ball across the yard,…
Bible Reading: John 15:12-15 “I can’t believe Mia would do this to me!” Addy pulled the friendship bracelet off her wrist and dropped it in the trash. “Addy?” her mother asked. “Are you okay? Why are you throwing away your bracelet from Mia?” “I thought she was my friend,” Addison said. She hung her backpack…
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Editor’s note: This story’s subject matter may not be appropriate for young children. Oliver’s teacher walked to the front of the classroom. “For our next activity, I would like everyone to write the names of their parents on a piece of paper. Then turn to your neighbor and see what…
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:44-48; Ephesians 4:32 “No, not Amie! Now we’re really gonna lose!” The entire team sighed in unison as Amie approached the plate and waited for the kickball. She hadn’t felt well all morning, and now the weight of her teammates’ disgust seemed to make her insides churn even more. Just as the…
