Family Devotional

The Pursuit for Kids

A 12-part primer to help your kids understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

FOUNDATIONS

How to Start a Relationship with God

Key Points:

  • We all have a sin problem, both kids and parents! Romans 3:23
  • Jesus fixed the problem when he died on the cross. Romans 5:8
  • Anyone can begin a relationship with God by Jesus (asking him into your heart). Romans 3:22
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Make a list of the stuff you got for your last birthday. How much of it did you pay for with your own money? Who gave you your presents?
  3. Why is sin a problem?
  4. What did Jesus do to fix our sin problem?
  5. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus is God’s gift to us. What do we have to do to get that gift? How much do we have to “pay” God for it?
  6. Have you ever asked Jesus into your heart? Do you want to do it today? Pray a prayer like the one below with your parents or teacher.
  7. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

Asking Jesus into your heart:

“Jesus, I know that I need you to help me. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the grave. Will you come into my heart so I can be saved? Thank you for this free gift. Amen.”

How to Live as a Christian Kid

Key Points:

  • As Christians, we should live to honor God. 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • The Spirit leads from the inside out, helping us honor God every day. Ezekiel 36:26-27
  • The Bible is like a special treasure map, guiding us through life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Other Christians help us stay on the right track. Galatians 6:1-2
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. How can you honor (show thanks) your parents? How about your teachers at school?
  3. Make a list of things that honor God.
  4. Make a list of things that don’t honor God.
  5. How does the Bible help us?
  6. How can other people help us to honor God? How can you help people to honor God?
  7. Read Ephesians 4:21-24. What should we do with our old nature? How does the Spirit help us to live for God?
  8. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
How to Grow as a Christian Kid

Key Points:

  • The world doesn’t actually revolve around you, even though it might feel like it.
  • We start to grow up as Christians by serving and giving.
  • The greatest way to grow is by telling other people about Jesus!
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. How do you feel when people do things for you? How can you serve people in your life?
  3. Why should we give money to God?
  4. Identify a friend you would like to invite to church or talk to about Jesus. Talk with your parents about how best to do that.
  5. Read Romans 12:9-11. What does it look like to really love someone? How can you honor people in your life?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

JESUS STORIES

The Baptism of Jesus

Talking Points:

  • John didn’t want to baptize Jesus, because he didn’t feel worthy. Matthew 3:13-14
  • Jesus wanted to get baptized to be a good example to us. Matthew 3:15
  • When Jesus was baptized, God the Father was really happy. Matthew 3:17
  • Baptism is a very important symbol that helps us remember what Jesus did for us. Romans 6:4
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Have you ever watched someone get baptized? Where were you and what did you notice?
  3. What did Jesus want John to do?
  4. What does baptism symbolize?
  5. Read Colossians 2:13-14. What does it mean to be dead in our sins? What did Jesus do with our sin?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
Loaves & Fishes

Talking Points:

  • There are only two miracles that appear in all 4 gospels.
  • Jesus can do big stuff with little stuff.
  • God does big stuff through little people. Mark 10:27
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Have you ever witnessed something so cool or been saved from danger, it was like a miracle from God? (explain)
  3. The gospels are the first 4 books in the new testament that talk about Jesus’ life. Why do you think this miracle is  repeated in all 4 books?
  4. What do you think the kid thought when Jesus wanted to take his lunch to feed thousands?
  5. What do you think Jesus was trying to communicate performing this miracle?
  6. Read Matthew 9:1-7. Why do you think Jesus first said, “your sins are forgiven” before He healed the man? What point was Jesus trying to make?
  7. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Talking Points:

  • Jesus cares about people who get picked on.
  • The “Sabbath” was the Jewish day of rest.
  • God gave people the Sabbath to help them.
  • God cares more about people than rules. 1 John 4:19
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Have you ever been picked on at school? How did that feel? How did you respond?
  3. Who did Jesus help in the story that was being picked on?
  4. Why did Jesus decide to heal the woman even though it was the Sabbath?
  5. Read Mark 2:27-28. How was the Sabbath supposed to help people? What did the religious leaders do to change it? Why did that anger Jesus?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

BIBLE STORIES

Elijah and the Real God

Talking Points:

  • Elijah was a prophet, which is another word for messenger.
  • God has existed forever.
  • God is the real God.
  • We worship the One True God by singing and obeying.
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Have you ever been in a contest or competition? What was it like? How did you do?
  3. Do you ever sing or pray to your favorite toy or video game? Why or why not?
  4. Read 1 Kings 18:37-39. What did God do to prove that He was the only real God? What would you have done if you were there that day?
  5. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
Jehoshaphat and Prayer

Talking Points:

  • The Moabites, the Ammonites and the Meunites declared war to King Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20:1-2
  • Jehoshaphat prayed to God when he was in trouble. 2 Chronicles 20:6
  • Jehoshaphat knew that God was the only hope for his kingdom.
  • God wants to help you in every situation.
Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? (ex. learn to read, math, play an instrument) How did you get through it? Who helped
  3. What do you do when you are in trouble or when someone makes fun of you?
  4. How does God wants us to pray?
  5. Read Philippians 4:6-7. Why don’t we need to worry when we pray? Who will help us when we’re scared? Why should we tell God what we’re thankful for?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
Josiah the Boy King

Key Points:

  • Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. 2 Kings 22:1-2
  • Idols are things that are not God. 2 Kings 23:2-3
  • Josiah read God’s Word and obeyed it.
  • The Bible has God’s words written on it so you can read it, obey it, and share it! 2 Timothy 3:16
Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Are you an “expert” at something your parents know nothing about? (science, TV show, legos, a sport) Have you tried to teach them? How did it go?
  3. How can you use the Bible in your life?
  4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 Why is the Bible so important to people who love God? How does it help us?
  5. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

KIDS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE

Put God First

Kids, Put God First!

Posted: September 2, 2026

Have you ever tried to build an epic Lego tower, but you kept adding pieces to a wobbly bottom? Eventually, the whole thing crashes right down to the carpet! When we try to build our day, our friendships, and our choices without a solid foundation, everything feels super wobbly and stressful.

Putting God first is like building your day on a giant rock instead of slippery mud. When we make God the very first and most important part of our lives, everything else fits into place much better. It means we stop trying to be the boss of everything and instead trust that God’s way is the absolute best way to win at life.

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

What does seeking God first look like on a normal Tuesday? It means waking up and thanking God for a new day before you even grab your phone or turn on cartoons. It means choosing to be kind to your sibling even when they grab your favorite toy, or telling the truth even when you might get in trouble. Instead of worrying about whether you’ll fit in at school or if you’ll pass a hard test, you can hand those worries right over to God.

Here is your life hack for the week: Try the “First-Minute Rule.” The very first minute you wake up, before your feet even touch the floor, say a quick prayer asking God to help you love others and honor Him today. Let’s show the world what it looks like to let God take the lead!

Talk About It

  1. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
  2. What is the main Bible verse we talked about today, and where can you find it in the Bible?
  3. When was a time you tried to fix a problem all by yourself instead of asking for help?
  4. Why is it sometimes hard to put God first when you really want your own way, and how can Jesus help you choose His way?
  5. What is one specific way your family can put God first together before you leave the house each morning this week?
Obey Your Parents

Kids, Obey Your Parents!

Posted: September 2, 2026

Have you ever been right in the middle of building an epic LEGO tower or playing your favorite video game when you hear, “Hey, it’s time to turn that off and clean up your room”? Instantly, you might feel a little grumpy or want to pretend you didn’t even hear it. It’s super easy to want to do things your own way instead of listening right away.

When God gives us parents, He isn’t trying to ruin our fun—He actually gave them to us as a safe guide to help us grow and keep us safe. Obeying your parents is a big deal to God because it shows that you trust Him and the people He put in charge of you. When you choose to listen and obey right away, you are actually showing love to God and your family, and it makes your whole home a lot more peaceful and happy.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Obeying right away with a good attitude is like a superpower for kids. It means putting down your tablet the very first time you are asked, or cleaning up your toys without complaining or dragging your feet. Doing what you’re asked only when you feel like it isn’t really obeying—true obedience is choosing to listen cheerfully, even when you are having way too much fun doing something else.

Next time you hear a parent or guardian ask you to do a chore, try using the “One-Second Rule”: take a breath, smile, and start moving within one second without grumbling. Remember, every time you obey your parents with a happy heart, you are shining Jesus’ bright love right inside your own home!

Talk About It

  1. If you could instantly make one chore disappear forever, what would it be and why?
  2. What is the Bible verse we talked about today, and where can we find it in the Bible?
  3. When is a time that it felt really hard for you to listen and obey right away?
  4. What can you do when your sibling or friend is complaining about rules, but you want to choose to obey anyway?
  5. What is one specific way our family can practice listening to each other the very first time this week?
Treat Others Right

Kids, Treat Others Right!

Posted: September 2, 2026

Have you ever been playing tag at recess, and somebody tags you way too hard? Ouch! Or maybe someone took the exact toy you were playing with without even asking. Moments like that can instantly ruin a fun day and make you feel angry, frustrated, or sad inside. It’s super easy to want to get payback or act mean right back to them.

But Jesus gives us a total life hack for making our friendships, families, and classrooms awesome! Instead of treating people based on how they treated us, Jesus calls us to treat people the way we want to be treated. When we choose kindness, fairness, and love—even when others aren’t being very nice—we show everyone around us what God’s big love looks like in real life.

Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

So, what does this actually look like in your daily life? It means if you like it when people share their video games or sports equipment with you, you should be the first one to share yours! If you like it when people say encouraging words when you make a mistake, you should cheer on your classmates and siblings when they mess up. It also means stopping yourself before saying something mean, and asking yourself: “Would I want someone to say that to me?”

Here is your mini-challenge for this week: whenever you feel upset or tempted to react, pause and use the “Mirror Rule.” Ask yourself, “How would I want to be treated right now?” Choosing to be kind first isn’t always easy, but every time you choose kindness, you are winning at being a true friend and showing the world Jesus’ heart!

Talk About It

  1. What is the absolute silliest or funniest rule your family could make for one whole day?
  2. What is the main Bible truth Jesus gives us in Luke 6:31, and what is it usually called?
  3. Can you think of a time when someone treated you super kindly at school or home? How did that make you feel inside?
  4. When a sibling or classmate is being super annoying or unkind, why is it so hard to treat them nicely, and how can Jesus help you in that moment?
  5. What is one specific way your family can practice the “Mirror Rule” together at home this week?

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