Family Devotional
Survival Guide for Kids
You can make it as a kid if you just remember these three simple things.
Kids, Put God First!
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
- If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
- What is the main Bible verse we talked about today, and where can you find it in the Bible?
- When was a time you tried to fix a problem all by yourself instead of asking for help?
- 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?
- What is one specific way your family can put God first together before you leave the house each morning this week?
Kids, Obey Your Parents!
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
- If you could instantly make one chore disappear forever, what would it be and why?
- What is the Bible verse we talked about today, and where can we find it in the Bible?
- When is a time that it felt really hard for you to listen and obey right away?
- What can you do when your sibling or friend is complaining about rules, but you want to choose to obey anyway?
- What is one specific way our family can practice listening to each other the very first time this week?
Kids, Treat Others Right!
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
- What is the absolute silliest or funniest rule your family could make for one whole day?
- What is the main Bible truth Jesus gives us in Luke 6:31, and what is it usually called?
- Can you think of a time when someone treated you super kindly at school or home? How did that make you feel inside?
- 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?
- What is one specific way your family can practice the “Mirror Rule” together at home this week?
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