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. 3h ago

    More Than Words

    Read: James 1:22-25 After a delicious lunch on Father’s Day, Ophelia joined the rest of her family to watch Dad open his presents. “Open mine first, Daddy,” Evelyn said eagerly. “I made you a picture.” “Don’t tell,” said Ophelia, but everyone laughed as Evelyn insisted on helping her father open the package containing the picture she had drawn for him. Then they watched while he opened the rest of his gifts. Every family member had bought or made something for Dad—everyone, that is, except for Ophelia. “These gifts are wonderful!” said Dad. “I can hardly wait to use them. Thank you all very much!” “You didn’t open Ophelia’s present,” Evelyn said. “Where is it, Ophelia?” Ophelia was embarrassed. Everyone was waiting to see what she had for Dad. “I—I love you, Dad, and I was going to buy or make you something, but I’ve been so busy,” she said, blushing. Dad was very gracious. “I know,” he assured her, “and I have enough presents. Come on, let’s have some of that great-looking cake!” That night Mom found Ophelia crying in her room. “I didn’t have a present for Dad,” she said, tears spilling onto her pillow. “It’s okay, Ophelia. You couldn’t help it if you didn’t have time or money to get something for Dad,” Mom told her. “I know, but…I could have taken time to make something for him,” Ophelia admitted. “You even offered to help me make him some cookies, but I just didn’t get around to it.” “It would have been nice to do something to show your love,” Mom said. “It’s so easy to say we love someone, but love is more than words. It’s action—like God showing how much He loved us by sending Jesus to save us.” Ophelia nodded. “I’m going to make tomorrow another Father’s Day for Dad!” she said. “I’ll, uh—oh, I know! I’ll show him I love him by cleaning out his car.” “I’m sure He’ll love that,” Mom said. “And let’s not forget to let our actions show our love for our heavenly Father too.” –Jan L. Hansen How about you? Do your actions show your love for your parents and others who are important to you? It’s important to tell people you love them, but those words need to be backed up with actions. God showed us His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to die to save us from sin. We can show our love for Him in return by obeying and serving Him. Today's key verse: Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 (NLT) Today's key thought: Put love into action

    5 min

  2. 1d ago

    Training Baxter

    Read: Psalm 143:8-10; Titus 2:11-14 Austin’s black Labrador tilted his head to one side and lifted his front paw. “No, not shake! Lie down! Can’t you learn anything?” Austin sighed. “Let’s try something else. Fetch, Baxter! Fetch!” Austin hurled a ball across the yard, and Baxter raced after it. Before it dropped to the ground, Baxter leaped into the air and caught it in his mouth. “Wow! Good dog!” Austin called, clapping his hands. “Now bring it here, Baxter!” Baxter’s wagging tail stopped and pointed into the air. He perked his ears and stared at the other side of the yard. Then he dropped the ball and dashed after a squirrel. “This is hopeless,” Austin said, letting himself drop to the ground. “What’s hopeless?” asked Austin’s older sister, Makenna. She sat on the grass next to him. “I’m trying to train Baxter. I’ve been trying to teach him how to sit and shake and lie down and fetch, but I’m about ready to give up. Sometimes it seems like he’s getting the hang of it, then, out of the blue, he runs off and chases a squirrel or something.” “Baxter’s a hunting dog, so it’s in his nature to do that,” said Makenna. She glanced at her brother. “Kind of like it’s in our nature to do the wrong thing sometimes. That’s what Pastor Pham’s sermon was about, remember?” “Yeah, thanks for the reminder,” Austin said, thinking of something mean he’d said to Makenna the day before. He hoped God didn’t give up on him as easily as he gave up on Baxter. “Do you suppose God thinks we’re hopeless?” he asked. “Of course not,” said Makenna. “When we were hopelessly lost in sin, God sent Jesus to save us! He promises to train us and make us grow to be more like Jesus by helping us understand and obey what He says in the Bible. And though there will be many times when we wander away from Him and do something wrong—like Baxter going after those squirrels—He never gives up on us and will always forgive us.” Something pawed at Austin’s back. He turned to find Baxter holding the ball in his mouth. Austin smiled and patted Baxter’s head. “Want to try again?” He threw the ball, and Baxter bounced away after it. –Debra VanDyke How about you? Do you feel like a hopeless case—like you’ll never be able to stop doing things that are wrong? Struggling against sin is part of every Christian’s life, but don’t give up on yourself, because God never will! He sent Jesus to save you from sin and will always forgive you, no matter how many times you do something wrong. Trust Him to train you and make you more like Him—He is all the hope you need. Today's key verse: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 (CSB) Today's key thought: God trains Christians

    5 min

  3. 2d ago

    Image

    Read: Genesis 1:26-31 Layna held her position as she landed a pirouette, the final move in the dance. She pushed her bellybutton as far back to her spine as she could, gazing at herself in the mirror. Her eyes then followed down the line of girls. She stood a head taller than any of them, and though she tried, she couldn’t get her stomach in far enough. “Nice job,” said Miss Susan, the instructor at her dance school, when class ended. Layna shook her head, disagreeing with her teacher. Miss Susan raised her eyebrows. “What’s wrong? You nailed that turn.” Layna’s eyes followed the other dancers as they filed out of the studio. She waited until the room had emptied to speak. “I’m the biggest person here, and I’m not even the oldest. I feel so weird, like everyone must be pointing at that big girl and laughing whenever I dance.” Layna studied her reflection some more. “Layna, you’re a beautiful dancer,” said Miss Susan. “Don’t let anyone speak lies and tell you any different. Besides, I wouldn’t want all my dancers to look the same.” Layna didn’t answer, but she stopped staring at herself in the mirror to look at Miss Susan. “Did you know humans are the only ones created in God’s image?” Miss Susan asked. “No animals or even the angels reflect God the way we do. And when God finished creating everything, He saw it was good. Imagine God patting Himself on the back and saying, ‘Wow, look at Layna. I did good!’” “God thought He had done good by creating me?” Layna asked. She tried to picture God forming Adam out of the dust. “When He made Adam, did He know He’d make me one day too?” Miss Susan nodded. “Yes, He did. And He loves you, Layna—so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you so you could be saved from sin. And He gave you a wonderful body that can do amazing things—like think and talk and do pirouettes!” Layna smiled as she picked up her dance bag. God created her, loved her, and sent His Son to die for her. She’d heard the words before, but she had never let them sink in until now. –Joanna Bair How about you? Do you ever find yourself staring in the mirror worrying about how you look? Remember that God made all people in His own image—including you! He made each one of us unique and loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us. Instead of comparing yourself to others, remember that you’re created in God’s image and loved by Him, and that makes you truly special. Today's Key Verse: So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. Genesis 1:27 (ERV) Today's Key Thought: You are made in God’s image

    5 min

  4. 3d ago

    Caden’s Gift

    Read: Acts 11:27-30 Caden tugged his mom’s sleeve in the church hallway. “I need some money for our offering.” “Okay,” Mom said, opening her purse. Caden took the money she held out and dashed off to class. “I’m guessing many of you get your offering money from your parents,” Mrs. Hallman said after the class had taken the offering. “I have a suggestion. For the next month, why don’t you only put your own money in the offering? Missionaries will be using it to set up a school. You’ll be giving your money to the Lord so those kids can hear about Jesus.” Caden didn’t like the idea of giving away his own money. “I don’t see what difference it makes whether we give the money ourselves or our parents help us,” he said on the way home from church. “The difference is you don’t get any real joy out of giving to the Lord when the gift doesn’t cost you anything,” Mom said. “Maybe not, but I don’t get much money, and I’ve got to save up for a new bike.” “God doesn’t expect us to give what we don’t have,” Mom said. “No matter how little we have to give, God can use it to bless others in big ways. But giving still requires sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life for us, and we give to Him out of gratitude for all He’s given us. Maybe you can give some of the money you’ve already saved for a new bike—and if you want to give more, you could find ways to earn extra money. Pray about it and ask God what you should do.” Caden prayed about it and decided to give a portion of his bike money to the missionaries. Then, over the next few weeks, he was surprised at how many extra jobs he was able to pick up. He mowed lawns for neighbors and cleaned his grandma’s basement. He actually enjoyed earning money for the missionary offering. “When I’m working for extra money, I pretend I’m a missionary and that I’m doing the work so people can hear about Jesus,” Caden told his mom one day. “Pretend?” Mom smiled. “It isn’t pretend, Caden. Even though you’re not in a far-off place, God is using the work you’re doing to help more people come to Jesus!” –Bernard Palmer How about you? Do you truly give to God, or do you just pass along someone else’s gifts? Remember that giving always costs something. When God gave us His Son, it cost Jesus His life. Ask God to show you how you can give to Him. Maybe it’s by giving your own money or by donating your things or time to show others His love. Whatever it is, give out of gratitude for all He’s done for you. Today's Key Verse: I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Give to God

    5 min

  5. 4d ago

    The Good Leader

    Read: Psalm 61:1-8 Reid sighed happily at the sound of a mountain stream trickling nearby. “I sure love hiking!” he said. “Me too!” said his twin sister, Nicole. “It’s so pretty out here today!” “Yeah,” said Reid. “I’m so glad school is over for the summer so we can do this again!” “Hey, you two, don’t get too far ahead!” Dad called from further down the mountain. The twins decided to rest and wait for their parents. “Hey, look at that,” Nicole said, pointing to a nearby tree branch. “What’s going on up here?” Mom asked as she and Dad came up the path and sat down on a log. “There’s a trail of ants walking on that branch,” said Reid. Nicole squinted to get a better look. “Why are they all following that ant in front? Why don’t they just walk wherever they want to?” “They’re following the leader,” Dad explained. “He’s probably leading them to some food he discovered.” He thought for a moment. “We’re a lot like ants.” Reid and Nicole looked at each other, confused. “How are we like ants?” Reid asked. “Well,” said Dad, “these ants are trusting their leader to guide them safely, and they go wherever he goes. We need to make sure we’re following our leader with the same trust and obedience.” “You’re talking about Jesus, aren’t you?” said Nicole. “That’s right!” said Dad. “He’s our leader. He died for our sins and rose from the dead to save us, and we need to have faith in Him and follow and obey Him in everything we do.” Mom nodded. “We might be tempted to follow people or chase after things that can lead us away from God and what He tells us in the Bible. But Jesus is the only right path for our lives.” “I don’t want to follow the wrong crowd,” Reid said. “Me neither,” said Nicole. “I want to follow Jesus!” Mom beamed. “I’m very glad to hear you say that.” She stood up. “Let’s finish this hike so we can get some food of our own.” “I know the way to the top,” Reid said, running to the path. “Follow me!” Nicole laughed. “Okay, but only because I know you follow Jesus!” –Elena Ketner How about you? Do you follow Jesus? Do you trust and obey Him? It may seem hard to follow Him when you’re tempted to chase after what the world has to offer or what other people think of you, but Jesus is a good leader who loves you and will lead you on the right path. John 14:6 says He is the way, the truth, and the life. Trust and follow Him. Today's Key Verse: Lead me in the right path, O Lord…Make your way plain for me to follow. Psalm 5:8 (NLT) Today's Key Thought: Follow Jesus

    5 min

  6. 5d ago

    Beyond What You See

    Read: 1 Peter 3:3-4 Luca’s grandfather patted the tire of the four-wheeler he had purchased. “I found this quad online and got a good deal on it,” he said with a smile. Luca wasn’t so sure. The fenders were dented, and the seat had a tear in it. The rack behind the seat was bent, and a headlight was cracked. “It doesn’t look very good,” he said. “Why didn’t you buy a new quad, Grandpa?” “Well, this was much less expensive than a new one, and the engine is in excellent running condition. It also gives us something to work on together. It just needs a little body work, that’s all. We’ll get it all fixed up. You’ll see.” Luca wasn’t convinced. “It looks awfully banged-up to me,” he said as he began to polish a black helmet that had come with the four-wheeler. “You’ve got to learn to see beyond outward appearances,” said Grandpa. “Put on that helmet and hop on. I’ll give you a ride.” Luca slid on behind his grandfather. After a drive through the field across the road, Luca was impressed with the quiet, steady hum of the dented-up quad. “This runs really well!” he said. “Just goes to show that you should never judge things by appearance alone—and that includes people,” said Grandpa. “I didn’t like the looks of this quad myself when I first saw it. But when I heard it run, it was music to my ears!” He grinned. “Know any people like that?” “Well, Aaron, I guess,” Luca replied. “He’s new in my class, and when I first saw him I thought he’d be mean. But we started talking, and now we’re friends.” “We need to see people like God does,” said Grandpa. “He doesn’t judge us by the way we look. He sees way beyond that. He sees what’s in our hearts and what we can become—just like we see what this beat-up quad can become. Jesus can make anyone a new person. He made us new people when we trusted in Him, and He wants us to treat everyone in a way that shows them His love.” “You’re right, Grandpa,” Luca said. “You’re always right!” Grandpa laughed. “You go on inside now and tell that to your grandma!” –Vicki Reinhardt How about you? Do you judge people by the way they look? We often focus on appearance when we look at others, but not God. He looks at our hearts. You can’t see inside hearts like He does, but you can look past a person’s outward appearance and see how much they’re loved by Jesus. Treat everyone in a way that shows them His love. You might even end up with a new friend! Today's Key Verse: People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) Today's Key Thought: Look beyond looks

    5 min

  7. 6d ago

    Peace in the Midst of Noise

    Read: Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 2:1-4 Lisbeth was shocked at the amount of noise that hit her ears when she stepped into the animal shelter behind her best friend. She had never heard so much barking before. “It’s not always like this,” Jenna said. She had been volunteering for a long time, but this was the first time Lisbeth had come with her and her mom. They walked down a hallway lined with cages, and it seemed like every dog was barking. Lisbeth smiled when she saw one dog just lying in her cage. She didn’t look upset or sick or anything like that; she just looked peaceful, like she really wasn’t bothered by all the noise the other dogs were making. “Do you remember what the Bible says about being peaceful?” Jenna’s mom shouted to be heard above the dogs. “It says we should do our part to live in peace with others, even if the world around us isn’t peaceful. I think Miss Ruby got the message.” She pointed toward the dog Lisbeth had noticed. “But we have something she doesn’t,” Jenna’s mom continued. “Since we belong to Jesus, we have His peace and love in our hearts. That’s what allows us to be truly peaceful.” They spent time playing with the dogs and giving them love, then Lisbeth was dropped off at her house. As she walked up to the door, she could hear shouting. Ever since her mom remarried, the house was constantly noisy. Lisbeth opened the front door. Her older brother was arguing with one of their stepbrothers. Her twin sisters were fighting over a doll. One of her stepsisters was screaming. She covered her ears. There were times when Lisbeth would just join in with everyone else. When everyone else was upset, it was hard not to be mad too. But today she wanted to try something different. Lisbeth walked over to her younger stepbrother and sat down beside him. He wasn’t joining in with all the screaming, but he didn’t look happy either. “Do you want to play a game?” Lisbeth asked. “I’ll play with you.” “Outside?” Darren asked, his eyes wide as he looked around the room. Lisbeth laughed. “Sure.” She wanted to help bring peace to their home, but she didn’t have to stay right in the chaos in order to do that. –Emily Acker How about you? When everyone around you is getting loud and grumpy, do you join in? Or do you try to be the one peaceful person in the room? If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can treat others in a peaceful, loving way, even when tempers flare and no one agrees. Trust Him to help you do what you can to keep the peace. Is there anything you can do—with God’s help—to make your home more peaceful? Today's Key Verse: If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (CSB) Today's Key Thought: Live a peaceful life

    5 min

  8. Jun 14

    It’s Not My Job!

    Read: Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 20:28 “Jordan, could you please put Athena’s toys away while I give her a bath?” called Mom as she carried Jordan’s little sister to the bathroom. Jordan groaned. He was right in the middle of a video game. He slammed his controller down and stomped into his baby sister’s room. “This is so unfair!” he said as he threw Athena’s toys into the toybox. “I didn’t make this mess. It’s not my job!” After soccer practice the next day, Coach handed Jordan a big bag of dirty laundry. It was Jordan’s turn to take the soccer uniforms home to be washed. Jordan dumped the bag of filthy clothes in the kitchen. “Hang on a minute,” said Mom. “What’s all this?” Jordan was confused. Mom had washed the soccer uniforms countless times before. “It’s our turn to wash the uniforms,” he replied. Mom tossed the bag back at Jordan. “Well, I don’t play soccer, so why should I wash them? It’s not my job!” All of a sudden, Jordan’s own words came back to him. “But I can’t wash these!” he cried. “I don’t know how!” Dad got up from his chair, a wry smile on his face. “Well then, I’ll show you!” Dad patiently showed Jordan how to operate the washing machine. “You know, families should help one another, Jordan, and sometimes that means cleaning up someone else’s mess.” Jordan sighed. “But cleaning up after Athena is hard!” “Well, so is going to work every single day,” said Dad. Jordan had never thought about that before. “And how about Mom?” Dad continued. “She changes dirty diapers. She washes our clothes and cleans up after people all the time. Imagine if she stopped doing all those things because they weren’t her job?” Jordan laughed. “We’d all stink!” Dad grinned. “It reminds me of what Jesus did to save us. He came to earth and cleaned up the great big mess of sin we had made. Jesus never sinned. Not once. But He was willing to die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. I’m so thankful He saved me and made me clean!” “Me too!” Jordan said as he dumped the dirty uniforms into the washing machine. –Angela Jelf How about you? Do you moan and complain when you’re asked to clean up a mess someone else made? Jesus loves us so much He was willing to save us from the biggest mess of all that none of us were able to clean up—sin. When we trust in Him, He removes our filthy rags of sin and clothes us in garments as white as snow. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today's Key Verse: He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:5 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Jesus makes us clean

    5 min
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About

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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