Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families

Keys for Kids Ministries
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  • Stories for Kids
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Keys for Kids is a daily storytelling show based on the daily Keys for Kids children's devotional. Hosted by Zach, this podcast combines Scripture readings with captivating stories that illustrate essential Biblical principles. With Zach's creative voices bringing characters to life, listeners embark on a faith-filled journey. Tune in to discover the keys to growing in faith and understanding God's love. Produced by Keys for Kids Ministries, this podcast is a treasure trove to help young hearts grow closer to God.

  1. 23 min ago

    Behind the Scenes

    Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Manuel rushed onto the stage, set some props in place, picked up some others, and rushed back off. He was the head prop person for the play the youth group was putting on at church. When the performance ended, Manuel finished what he had to do and picked up his jacket. He sighed loudly as he walked out of the auditorium and started down the church steps. Pastor Weber stopped him as he was coming up the stairs. “Congratulations on the fine job you did on the play!” he said. “But why the big sigh? Are you tired?” “Yeah, I guess so,” Manuel said. “Tired and discouraged about…about some other stuff.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” said the pastor. “Care to talk about it?” Manuel shrugged, but then he decided to share his problem. “It’s my dad,” he said. “Mom and I are saved, but Dad isn’t. I don’t want him to be…” Manuel hesitated. “To be lost for all eternity,” he finished in a trembling voice. “Mom and I have prayed and prayed for Dad, and I know you and the people here at church have too, but it hasn’t done any good. We keep trying to help him understand that Jesus loves him and died for him, but he’s still the same.” “Wait a minute, Manuel,” said Pastor Weber. “How do you know our prayers haven’t done any good? How do you know your dad is the same?” Manuel was surprised. “I sure don’t see any change,” he said. “But you can’t see inside his heart, Manuel,” Pastor Weber reminded him. “It’s a little like the play you just put on. The audience couldn’t see all the behind-the-scenes work that took place to make it a success.” Manuel remembered all the rehearsals and rushing around to set the stage while the curtain was closed. “God often does a lot of behind-the-scenes work too,” Pastor Weber continued. “Our prayers and our testimony of what Jesus has done for us are part of the unseen things that will bring final results.” Manuel nodded. “So we have to keep at it, don’t we?” “Yep,” Pastor Weber said. “Keep at it and trust God to change your dad’s heart.” –A. W. Smith How about you? Are you discouraged because you haven’t seen answers to your prayers? Have you told someone about Jesus, but it hasn’t seemed to make any difference? Don’t quit. You don’t know what God has been doing in that person’s heart. It could take a very long time for them to come to Jesus, but keep praying and showing them His love. Trust God with the results. Today’s key verse: I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT) Today’s key thought: God is working, so keep praying

  2. 1 day ago

    Domino Effect

    Read: Colossians 3:1, 8-11 Dominoes wound their way through a large room in the basement. “Wow! You have quite a domino network here,” said Amelia’s mother as she came down the stairs. She carefully picked her way to where Amelia was and dropped to the floor beside her. “How did your speech go—the one you did with Ellen in history class?” “Fine,” said Amelia. “I did really well.” “And how about math? You said you’ve been doing your homework every night. Is that going better now?” “It’s going great, Mom.” Irritated, Amelia frowned. “Why all the questions?” As she spoke, her cat Penelope ran down the stairs. Before Amelia could grab her, the cat bumped a domino. One after another, they all fell. Amelia watched as her domino design collapsed all the way through the room, then glared at Penelope. Mom cocked her head thoughtfully. “Interesting how, when one domino is tipped, it bumps the next one, isn’t it, Amelia? They all affect one another, and before you can stop them, they all fall. Lies are like that. One lie often leads to another, and each lie not only affects the liar, but often someone else too.” Amelia sighed. “I hope it’s easier to fix lies than domino networks.” “Do you have lies that need fixing?” asked Mom. “I, um…yeah, I do. I didn’t do my math homework, Mom. I’m having trouble with fractions. And speaking in front of people makes my stomach hurt, so I didn’t give my speech. I skipped class, and Ellen is really mad at me. I guess I kind of knocked down some dominoes, huh?” “Yes, you did,” Mom said. “Lying only leads to more lies and hurt, which is why the Bible says it has no place in our lives as Christians. Jesus has given us new life as God’s children, and our words should reflect His truth and love.” Amelia nodded. “I’ll tell Ellen I’m sorry.” “Good.” Mom smiled. “By the way, your math teacher said she’d help you after school tomorrow, and your history teacher said you and Ellen can give the speech on Friday.” Amelia’s mouth fell open. “You knew?” Mom laughed. “I do have a phone! Clean up the mess down here, then come upstairs and call Ellen.” “Okay,” said Amelia. “I’ll be there in a minute.” –Danika Cooley How about you? Can you think of a lie you’ve told? When you lie to try to stay out of trouble, you just create a bigger mess. If you’re a Christian, God says to “take off your old self” so you can live the new life Jesus has given you—and lying is included in the list of things to get rid of. When you make a mistake and do something wrong, be honest and apologize—and ask Jesus to forgive you too. Today’s key verse: Do not lie to one another. Colossians 3:9 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Tell the truth

  3. 2 days ago

    Losing Sleep

    Read: Matthew 6:31-34 “You look tired,” Mom said when Dylan came into the kitchen for breakfast one morning. He sighed as he sat down for a bowl of cereal. “I am tired. I couldn’t sleep.” “Why not?” Mom carried a glass of orange juice over to him. Dylan thanked her for the juice, then shrugged. Mom pulled out the chair beside him. “Were you thinking about Grandpa?” “Sort of,” Dylan admitted. “It’s hard knowing he’s in the hospital and facing some health issues,” Mom said. “But we need to keep praying that he’ll be okay.” “I tried, but I still couldn’t sleep.” Dylan stirred his cereal around in his bowl. Mom put a hand on his arm. “Sometimes our worries are strong and it feels almost impossible to get over them,” she said. “But God is stronger.” Mom got up and grabbed her phone from the counter. She tapped on the screen a few times before stepping back over to Dylan. “Matthew chapter six talks about worry. It tells us not to worry about tomorrow.” Mom showed him the phone and pointed out the verse. “It’s not always easy to let go of our worries, especially when we’re concerned about someone we love,” she said. “But God is big enough and strong enough to take care of anything. He sent His own Son to save us when we were lost in sin, and He promises to always be with us and take care of us. It doesn’t do any good to worry and lose sleep—it’s much better to trust everything to Him.” Dylan nodded as he glanced at the verse again. “Do you think we could visit Grandpa today?” “I think he’d like that,” said Mom. “And I know he’d tell you the same thing I did. He appreciates your concern and prayers, but he doesn’t want you to worry.” “Yeah, I don’t think Grandpa ever worries about anything,” Dylan said as he finally dug into his cereal. Mom smiled. “It doesn’t seem like it, does it?” she said. “If only we could all learn to be like that.” –Bethany Acker How about you? Are you worried about something? Maybe a loved one is sick or you’re facing another difficult situation and don’t know how it will turn out. Maybe you’ve been so worried that you’ve even lost sleep because of it. Instead of worrying, God wants you to trust Him to take care of things. Worrying won’t change anything, but God is in control of everything, and He loves you and promises to take care of you. You don’t have to worry. Today’s key verse: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Don’t worry

  4. 3 days ago

    The Very Best News

    Read: Psalm 40:9-10 Tyler jumped off the school bus and ran home. He burst into the kitchen. “Mom! Mom! Guess what?” He ran through the house until he found his mom. “I won the spelling bee! I did it!” His eyes shone as he held out a big blue ribbon for her to see. Mom gasped and gave him a hug. “That’s wonderful, Ty!” Tyler nodded. “Now I get to compete in the regionals next month! I’ve got to text Jack and tell him.” He picked up his tablet to send a message to his best friend, who had moved away a few months earlier. “What did Jack say?” Mom asked a while later. “He thought it was great,” said Tyler. He sighed. “I wish we still went to the same school.” “I know,” said Mom. She picked up Tyler’s ribbon and looked at it thoughtfully. “A lot has happened since he moved away, hasn’t it? We weren’t even going to church back then, but now we know Jesus.” She smiled at Tyler. “I can understand why you wanted to tell Jack about winning the spelling bee right away. It’s always fun to share good news, and that’s certainly good news. But you have even better news than that. Have you shared it with Jack?” “Better news?” Tyler asked. Mom nodded. “The best news of all, in fact—about how Jesus died for us and rose again so we could be saved and have a new life with Him.” “Oh, right.” Tyler sat down on the couch and sighed. “I’m a little afraid to come right out and tell him,” he admitted, “but I do want Jack to know Jesus too.” He got up and picked up his tablet. “I’m going to do it right now. I’m going to tell him I’ve got the best news of all!” He paused. “Can I invite him to spend the weekend with us?” he asked eagerly. “I think his mom will let him come. Then he could come to church with us and learn more about Jesus. Would that be okay?” Mom smiled. “Of course!” –Beth R. Terpstra How about you? Have you shared good news with someone lately about something exciting that happened? What about the very best news of all—that Jesus died and rose from the dead so we could be saved? Have you told anyone about that? Share the good news of Jesus with others so they can know Him too! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Share God’s good news

  5. 4 days ago

    Kindness to Critters

    Read: Psalm 145:8-21; Luke 6:31 Maylie stroked Chester’s long orange fur. Her cat purred loudly. “Sir Chester Chatterson, would you like a morsel of cake?” Maylie placed a cat treat on a plate and poured water into a teacup for Chester. Mom walked by as Chester lapped water out of the cup. “He let you put that top hat on him?” She laughed. “Just remember to let him leave when he’s had enough tea party time.” After Chester wandered off, Maylie spotted Miss Priss grooming herself in the sunshine. Miss Priss was an older cat and didn’t like to be bothered. Maybe just this one time she won’t mind, Maylie thought. Miss Priss gave a warning growl when Maylie picked her up. At first, a few treats seemed to appease the calico, but when Maylie tried to pull a doll’s dress over her head, Miss Priss had quite enough! Hisssss! Scratch! Maylie looked at her arm and began to cry. Mom darted into the room and untangled Miss Priss from the lace dress before attending to Maylie’s scratch. “Maylie, you know better than to bother Miss Priss!” “She’s a mean cat!” Maylie sobbed. “No, she’s just protecting herself. What you did to her was not kind. Do you remember the Bible verse we’ve been working on?” Maylie stopped sniffling to recite it. “‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’” “Good job! Jesus wants us to care about other people’s feelings and needs the way He cares about ours. When we treat people with kindness, we’re showing them the kind of love He showed us when He gave His life to save us. Even the way we care for animals and their needs shows His love in us, because He cares for everything He created.” Mom finished bandaging Maylie’s arm. “Now, what did Miss Priss need?” “To be left alone. But Mom, Chester doesn’t mind when I dress him up!” “Chester is a younger cat with a different temperament than Miss Priss. Not everyone likes the same thing. Remember when one of your friends tried to force you to put face paint on at her birthday party?” Maylie’s eyes widened. “I do not like stuff on my face!” She walked over to the calico and gently pet her head. “I’m sorry, Prissy. You look better in calico than lace anyhow.” –Savannah Coleman How about you? Do you ever struggle with being kind to animals? Or maybe you want to love them so much that you don’t give them the space they need. While animals aren’t created in God’s image like people are, the Bible says God cares about all His creation, down to the smallest of sparrows (Matthew 10:29). As we show Jesus’s love to other people, we can also display His love in the way we treat animals. How can you care for a critter today? Today’s key verse: The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Being kind to critters matters to God

  6. 5 days ago

    Fearless

    Read: Isaiah 41:8-10 Zoe couldn’t wait to go on her youth group trip to the state park, where there would be camping, hiking, swimming, and bonfires. She packed her duffle bag and was about to zip it up when her mother walked in. “Aren’t you going to pack your Bible?” Mom asked, pointing to the dust-laden book on Zoe’s nightstand. “You might want it.” Zoe reluctantly put it in her bag. “We’re going to be talking about the Bible the whole time! Why do I need it with me?” But her mother just smiled and left. On the first day of her trip, Zoe was finishing her lunch when the head counselor made an announcement. “In twenty minutes, there will be a game of capture the flag. Afterward we’ll have ice cream—and the winning side gets first dibs on toppings!” The group cheered as teams were chosen. Zoe’s team decided that she and a few others would search for the other team’s flag. Once the whistle blew, Zoe raced through the woods to the other side of camp. When she saw an enemy team member coming toward her, she veered off the path and ran in what she thought was the right direction. Ten minutes later, it proved her wrong. She was lost! Sitting on a fallen tree, she tried to think of how to get back to camp, but it was hopeless. So she prayed about it, desperately asking God to help her find her way back. Then one of the Bible verses they’d talked about earlier that day popped into her head. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Zoe thought about what her counselor had said—that God loved her so much He’d sent Jesus to die for her so she could be His child. It gave her peace knowing He was with her. Just then Ezra, a boy from her team, appeared from behind a tree. “Are you lost?” he asked. “I’ll show you the way back to camp.” Zoe thanked him, and they made their way back. That night, as she opened her Bible, Zoe silently thanked God for being with her and for calming her fears with the truth of His Word. –Norah Varner How about you? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt lost or afraid? We can always find peace by remembering the truth God gives us in His Word. So don’t let your Bible get covered with dust! Even in the darkest moments, we can be assured that God loves us and is with us. When you read the Bible and memorize verses, such as today’s key verse, the truth of God’s Word can help you feel His peace. Today’s key verse: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) Today’s key thought: God’s Word brings peace

  7. 6 days ago

    Thrown by Waves

    Read: James 1:5-8 Minha sat on the beach watching the waves crash into the shore. It was a windy day, and the waves were huge. Minha had a lot on her mind, and watching the water calmed her. Mom came and sat next to her. After a while of sitting in silence, Mom finally asked, “How are you doing?” “I’m just so scared of making the wrong decision,” Minha said as she fought back tears. Minha and her mom had just come from the doctor, who had told them Minha’s test showed that she had cancer, and he had given them different options for treating it. Mom put her arm around Minha. “Well, this is a huge decision, but we need to pray that God will give us wisdom and guide us in making the right choice.” “But, Mom, all the treatment options could make me even sicker. How can we be sure God will help us make the right decision?” The two sat in silence for a little while, watching the water. They watched as a big stick was thrown from one wave to another. Then a big wave heaved the piece of wood onto the shore, and it finally became still. “Minha, we are definitely going through a struggle right now,” Mom said. “We can either let our emotions get the best of us and throw us around like the waves did that stick, or we can trust God to see us through this. It’s not going to be easy, but we have to remember that Jesus will be with us as we make these tough decisions—and He’s put doctors and other people in our lives who can help guide us in making wise choices. That doesn’t mean everything will go the way we want it to, but we need to remember that God is in control and will work everything out for good, no matter what decision we make. Jesus saved us, and He’ll always be with us, no matter what happens. It may be scary, but we can trust Him.” Minha watched the water for a long time, thinking about what her mom had said. She then said a silent prayer asking God for wisdom and guidance as she and her family made the choices they needed to make. –Melissa Yeagle How about you? Are you going through a hard time right now? Do you have some tough decisions to make? Perhaps you’re dealing with something difficult in your family, at school, or with your health. No matter what it is, remember that Jesus saved you and will work everything out for good, even if things don’t go the way you hoped. Trust Him to be with you and guide you in whatever it is you’re facing. Today’s key verse: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Romans 8:28 (CSB) Today’s key thought: Trust Jesus with tough choices

  8. 13 Sept

    Too Heavy to Carry

    Read: Psalm 38:1-4 Grounded and bored, Mia slouched in the chair as she watched her baby sister play. Little Riley, growing tired of her blocks, made her way to Mia’s backpack that leaned heavily against the brick hearth. Riley picked up the straps and tried to lift the weight of Mia’s bag—an impossible feat, since Riley was barely able to walk on her own. As Riley began to cry in frustration, Mia knelt down to help. Removing the books from her bag, Mia thought her sister would be relieved, but instead she grew angry. She cried harder and tried to return the books to their place. Irritated with her sister, Mia huffed. “You can’t lift it, Riley!” She pulled the bag away, only to be met with an all-out tantrum from Riley. Mom rushed into the room. “What is it now, Mia?” “Why is it my fault?” Mia asked. “I was trying to help.” Mom gathered up Riley in her arms. Once Riley was calm, Mia spoke up. “I don’t want to cause trouble, Mom, but I do. Even when I’m trying to help I end up in trouble.” Mom sat Riley back down to play and turned to look at Mia. “Sometimes I put blame on you when I shouldn’t, Mia, and I’m sorry. I mess up too.” Mia sighed. “I just want to be good enough so you and Jesus and everyone else will be happy with me, but I don’t know how to make that happen.” “Oh, Mia,” Mom said. “Every time you try to be good enough on your own, you’re trying to lift a burden you can never carry.” Mia looked down at her backpack and imagined herself as a baby trying to lift it. “Like Riley trying to lift a bag full of books?” she asked. Mom nodded. “When you trusted Jesus to save you, He made you good in God’s eyes by giving you His righteousness, or goodness. You don’t have to try to be good enough. Instead, the good we do comes from a place of knowing that He loves us just as we are and gives us all we need to show His love to others. Because of Him, you’re always good enough.” –Maggie J. Sifuentes How about you? Do you ever feel like you can never be good enough? Does trying to do everything right feel like a burden you can’t carry? Let Jesus carry the weight for you. When you trust in Him, He gives you His goodness in exchange for your sin. As you rest in His love and depend on Him to help you show it to others, your efforts to help and serve will be a joy, not a burden. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Jesus makes you good enough

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Keys for Kids is a daily storytelling show based on the daily Keys for Kids children's devotional. Hosted by Zach, this podcast combines Scripture readings with captivating stories that illustrate essential Biblical principles. With Zach's creative voices bringing characters to life, listeners embark on a faith-filled journey. Tune in to discover the keys to growing in faith and understanding God's love. Produced by Keys for Kids Ministries, this podcast is a treasure trove to help young hearts grow closer to God.

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