In this 6-day devotional, designed specially for kids between the ages of 8–12, kids will discover how Jesus gives us the courage we need by showing us who God really is—loving, compassionate, and always near. Each day helps kids trade fear for faith as they learn to trust in Christ no matter what they face.
ABS Armed Services Ministry
Day 1
Scriptures: John 11:35, Psalms 30:5, Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
The God We Need
Jesus started crying . . .
John 11:35 (CEV)
What do you need from God? Do you need him to be fair? Powerful? Able to see you at all times and know everything? How about compassion? Do you need him to care about you and the things you love?
When Jesus walked among people on Earth, he showed us all aspects of God. Maybe one of the most shocking was his compassion. Jesus cried with people.
It happened when Jesus’s friend, Lazarus, died. As Jesus spoke with Lazarus’s sisters and walked among the grieving people, he was overwhelmed with sadness. He loved them and hated to see their pain. He also missed his friend dearly, even though he knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew their tears would turn into joy very soon. Still, he felt the pain of separation.
When we go through hard times like the loneliness of losing people we love, we can remember our God is right there with us. He wipes our tears and holds us close. But he also makes the good come. He is the God who is everything we need.
On those hard days, take his hand. Let him hold you while you cry. But then watch him—trust him—while he works it all out for his amazing purpose!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Check out the additional verses from today’s reading. Which one gives you comfort? Write it in a journal or on some paper and highlight it in your Bible so you can remember it when you need it.
PRAY
This world is hard, God! It hurts to be separated from people we love. Thank you for holding me.
Day 2
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalms 130:3-4, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 3:4-5
The Backpack Exchange
Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (CEV)
Imagine having a backpack strapped on and everything you do wrong adds another 10 pounds to your back. Did you bite as a little kid? Add another stone. Steal crayons in elementary school? More weight. Talk back to your parent? Even more weight added.
Even one sin is more weight than you can carry, but an entire life of sin? Crushing! There’s absolutely no way you can get out from under that!
Then Jesus comes along, and he has nothing on his back! He never selfishly grabbed the biggest cookie. Never said a mean thing to his brothers. Never tried to hide anything from his parents. Jesus lived a perfect life.
That may be hard for you to imagine. It’s in our human nature to be selfish, proud, and unloving. It’s impossible to be perfect. But Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven, which is what allows us to have a relationship with him and a future life in heaven.
As sinful people, we could never be that way on our own. But Jesus took the blame for us when he died for our sins. He picked up our backpack of sin, so we can be free from that burden.
So, hand over that bag. Tell Jesus you are sorry for your sins and thank him for carrying it. He will show you how to live like him.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Which words from today’s verse stand out to you? Spend some time journaling about why they are meaningful.
PRAY
Jesus, thank you for taking my heavy load of sin. Please help me live like you.
Day 3
Scriptures: John 10:18, Isaiah 53:4-6, Isaiah 53:11-12, Matthew 26:53-54, Philippians 2:6-8
God’s Volunteer Sheep
No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.
John 10:18 (CEV)
In chapter 10 of John’s Gospel, Jesus talks about his people—the ones who know, understand, and follow him. He compares the people to sheep, and Jesus is the good shepherd who takes care of his sheep and even lays down his life for them.
People often joke about being “volun-told” to do something—we are told we must volunteer. But God sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, and Jesus came to earth willingly. No one made him volunteer.
Why did Jesus choose to die for you? Because he loves his sheep! He knew if he didn’t, we would die as guilty people, forever separated from a holy God. Jesus couldn’t let that happen.
Are you willing to follow the good shepherd, Jesus, who died for you? You will not be “volun-told” by God to be part of his flock. He lets you decide. To be one of his sheep, we must ask for forgiveness for what we’ve done wrong and give him control of our lives. That is the best decision we could ever make.
Let the good shepherd, Jesus, take care of you and watch over you. Give him your life today and become his sheep forever!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Draw a picture of a sheep in a journal or on some paper. As you do, pray for anyone you know who still needs to make the decision to follow Jesus.
PRAY
Jesus, thank you for volunteering to die for me. I want to be one of your sheep.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 10:39, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:12, Romans 6:13, 1 John 3:16
First, Love Jesus
“If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.”
Matthew 10:39 (CEV)
I’ll give my life to Jesus . . . after I do all the things I want.
I’ll get the stuff I like first . . . and then I’ll help others.
I’ll go to church . . . after I play with my friends.
Many people think this way. They believe being a Christ-follower means no fun, no nice things, no easy life. And truthfully, it is not easy to be a Christian. Jesus said we must be willing to give up our life—to love him more than anything and to follow him. But there’s great reward in following Jesus—salvation and eternal life!
Jesus had given up his life in Heaven with all the glory, power, and beauty. He bravely came to Earth to serve us. He knew what it meant to give up everything to obey God. And as he sent out his disciples to preach about him, with no money, destination, or promise of success, he asked them to be willing to give up everything and obey him.
When Jesus did the ultimate loving thing of dying a painful death to pay for our sins, God brought him back to life and saved us through him.
And he wants us to trust him with our lives, too. The path might not look like what we want. But the reward is better than anything we could imagine.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Highlight or write down the words from today’s Scripture verse that stand out to you as you think about Jesus’s great love for you.
PRAY
Jesus, thank you for living on Earth and dying for me. Help me give my life to you.
Day 5
Scriptures: Matthew 9:36, Psalms 147:3, Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 28:20
Who Cares?
When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36 (CEV)
Who cares anyway?
Sometimes it feels like no one does. Maybe your friends only want to talk about their stuff. Your parents are gone long hours and are too tired when they get home. And your siblings have their own troubles to deal with.
So, who cares about you when it seems like others don’t? Jesus does. When he was on Earth, he cared for people every day. He taught and healed people and then travelled to the next town so he could do it all again. Many people didn’t understand him. They made fun of him, even hated him, but still he gave his life and rose from death to save them and us. And Jesus still loves everyone—including you.
It takes courage to care. It’s hard work to not worry about our own problems and be more concerned with others. That was Jesus’s life’s work, and he asks us to do the same. With his help, we can see people through his eyes—with compassion. That means pausing to reflect on what they are going through and trying to understand. Having compassion will help us take action to help them…for the right reasons.
Jesus is concerned about every detail of your life. He wants to hear your thoughts, talk about your dreams, dry your tears. And he helps us care for others in the same way.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
It’s normal to want things for ourselves. But Jesus wants us to be different— to put other people before our own wants and desires. How can you do that this week? Think of some different ideas and write them in a journal or on some paper. Then try them out this week and see how God uses you to care for others!
PRAY
Jesus, help me love others more than myself. Help me love them like you do!
Day 6
Scriptures: John 10:10, Psalms 23:1-4, Ezekiel 34:15-16, John 15:9-10, Revelation 7:17
The Good Life
I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.
John 10:10b (CEV)
Do you feel like being a Christian is just a bunch of rules? Do this, don’t do that. And if you mess up—you are out!
That’s not what Jesus said. One day, after healing a blind man, Jesus started talking about being a shepherd. A good shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. He makes sure they have food. He protects them. He helps them heal. The sheep have a great life because the shepherd is looking out for them.
Jesus said he is the good shepherd, and we are his sheep. He even gives his life for the sheep. Sure, he directs his sheep, but his instructions are for our good, like when a shepherd keeps his flock from going off a cliff or eating poisonous weeds.
The sheep who is loved is content and secure. Life still may be hard, but they know someone is taking care of them. And that’s the good life we can have as we follow our shepherd, Jesus. If we are hurt, he heals or helps us. If we are hungry, he feeds us. If we are lost or lonely, he finds us. And always, he loves us.
Now that’s a good life!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Talk to Jesus. As your good shepherd, he loves to spend time with you. Thank him today for your good life and ask him to help you through any hard times you are facing.
PRAY
Jesus, thank you for being my shepherd. You love and care for me every day. I’m glad I’m your sheep!