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: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Thomas stretched, yawned, and turned off the alarm. For several minutes he argued with himself. One voice in his head said, Get up. It’s time for church. Another voice said, Why not skip it? Your parents don’t go. Sleep a little longer. In the end, the wrong voice won. “No…
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:11-12, 18-21; Ephesians 4:7, 11-13, 16 “Hi, Mr. Jarvis,” said Shane as he entered the elderly man’s room. His mother, a home health nurse, occasionally brought him and his little sister, Kimmi, with her to visit while she worked. “What puzzle are we putting together today?” Mr. Jarvis smiled. “Well, young…
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:11–18; Matthew 10:30 Noah ran out to meet his father when he saw his car pull into the driveway. “Hey, Dad! Did you see the picture I sent you? Sheba had her puppies!” “Yes, I saw it. That’s great! How many does she have?” asked Dad. “Seven,” replied Noah. “Come see them.”…
Bible Reading: Romans 12:4–8 “Hey, Mom! Look at this weird-looking animal!” exclaimed Manuel as he peered over the fence of the city zoo. He and his mom were enjoying walking through the different zoo exhibits and learning neat facts about animals Manuel had never seen before. “That’s an aardvark,” said Mom. “An aardvark! I think…
Bible Reading: Psalm 127:3–5; Matthew 19:13–14 “Hey, except for you, I’m the only one up!” Emerson said as he ate a bowl of cereal one morning. He grinned at his mother. “Mom, do you ever wish you didn’t have all six of us kids?” Mom looked at him in surprise. “Of course not! Whatever made…
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:10 “You’re still here?” asked Dad, descending the basement stairs to see his son sitting on the floor, surrounded by jigsaw puzzle pieces. “Shouldn’t you be playing basketball?” “I don’t want to play,” answered John. “It’s not a fair game anymore. My friends keep getting taller, but I stay the same. I’d…
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:20–27 “Oh, Mom!” Ryleigh exclaimed as she looked through a box of scrap material. “Just look at this gorgeous blue satin!” “It’s very pretty,” Mom agreed. Ryleigh sighed. “I wish I could use it for something, but there’s not enough material—only a few scraps.” Mom picked a scrap of satin out…
Bible Reading: Romans 5:8; 8:35-39 Sawyer groaned as the bowling ball hooked slowly toward the left and rolled into the gutter. “I bet you wish you’d left me home,” he said, slumping into the seat beside his grandfather. “I didn’t even hit any pins.” Grandpa smiled and picked up his bowling ball. “Some days are…
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…
