AIO Team - 90 Devotions for Kids

90 Devotions for Kids

Copyright 2012 Focus on the Family

A Focus on the Family book published by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188

Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey, and the accompanying logos and designs, are federally registered trademarks of Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.

TYNDALE and Tyndales quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version, NIrV Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. All Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

The poem on page 120 is used by permission of Simple Literature. Copyright 2012 by Simple Literature.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of Focus on the Family.

Editor: Marianne Hering
Cover design by Jacqueline L. Nuez
Cover illustration and interior illustrations of characters by Gary Locke
Interior design by Lexie Rhodes

ISBN: 978-1-58997-682-5

Printed in the United States of America

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Build: 2013-02-06 16:41:26

I ve found that one of the best ways to study the Bible is with friends. Especially my friends in Odyssey. Connie, Eugene, Wooton... wed regularly meet at Whits End to read and talk. The three of them bring unique perspectives that add a lot to my understanding of Scripture and enrich my faith. So I had the idea of putting together a devotional book that brings the Bible and my friends together. Friends like you.

There are thirteen themes in this devotionalbiblical themes we thought were important as we studied our Bibles. Each theme has an introduction, seven devotions, a memory verse, and a challenge for you personally (or to use with your family).

You can work on the themes memory verse for all seven devotionsor you can memorize it the very first day of the theme.

Youll need your Bible for many of the challenges, so you may want to keep it nearby.

Do you have to read a devotion every day? No. This book is here whenever you want to use it. But remember: Spending time in the Bible is a good habit to have. You should try to do it every day. It keeps you connected to Godand helps you grow in your faith.

One last thing: When we use the word story in reference to the Bible, we mean a true historical account from the pages of Scripture. The Bible is not a book of myths, tall tales, or legends. Its true, every word of it.

Well, Eugene, Connie, and Wooton are waiting. Lets get started, shall we?

Salvation Theme Memory Verse

[God] gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. Gods grace has saved you.

I t was as if a bomb went off. The walls and ceiling shook. The prison doors broke open. The chains on Pauls and Silass feet came loose.

It was an earthquake, and the jailer woke to see all the doors wide open. It was his job to keep the doors locked and the prisoners inside. He thought all of the prisoners were gone. He knew that he would be punished if they escaped.

Rather than wait for the punishment, he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted, Dont do it! Were all still here. Just dont kill yourself!

The jailer was moved by their concern for him. The God of Paul and Silasthe One who had caused the earthquakewas also a God of compassion. Gods loving-kindness was the reason Paul and Silas were being compassionate. The jailer wanted this compassionate God for himself. So he asked Paul, What must I do to be saved?

Being saved is the most important decision a person will ever make. Phrases like let Jesus come into your heart, accept Jesus as your Savior, and be born again are all talking about the same thingsalvation.

But what does salvation mean? Why should you accept salvation? And if you decide you want to be saved, how do you go about it? Those topics will be explored all this week. And if you want the God in your life who can create an earthquake and offer undeserved compassionall in the same nightjust ask yourself the question, What must I do to be saved?

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You for the salvation that You offer all of us. Thank You for offering me compassion that I dont deserve. Help me to fully understand this gift.

Amen.

Todays Verse

Gods grace has saved you because of
your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesnt come
from anything you do. It is Gods gift.

T wo boys wanted a drink of water. The first boy mowed someones lawn so that he could earn enough money to buy a shovel. With the shovel, he dug a well in his backyard. Exhausted, he finally hit water, and the well filled up. Then he mowed three more lawns so that he could earn enough money for the rigging that would lower a bucket into the well and pull up water.

Next, he cut down a tree in his backyard, peeled the bark off the thin branches, and braided them together to create his own rope. With the rope, he could lower the bucket into the well and retrieve the water. He also took glass-blowing classes so that he could learn how to make his own drinking glass.

After two weeks of backbreaking work, the boy finally got his glass of water. He lowered the bucket into the ten-foot well he had dug and drew the water out of the well with the rope he had fashioned. He poured the water into the glass he had made, and then he took a very long drink.

The second boy went to a water fountain, turned it on, and drank all the water he wanted.

The first boy worked hard for his glass of water, but salvation cannot be earned by hard work. We cannot earn salvation by going to church, or reading the Bible a lot, or praying a lot, or being nice to people. All of those things are good, but salvation isnt something we can work for.

Salvation is like the water fountain. Its a gift. Jesus has already done the work for us on the cross. Just as the second boy gladly accepted the water from the fountain, all we need to do is accept Gods gift of salvation by putting our faith in Jesus.

Connies Corner

Yesterday, for some reason, Whits End had no customers for hours! So I swept the floor, washed down all the machines twice, and rearranged the menu board so that the ice-cream flavors were in order of popularity. Poor black cherry!

I guess I kept myself busy because I felt guilty for getting paid for doing nothing. It also took me awhile to accept that I did nothing to deserve my salvation either. But I shouldnt feel guilty. Salvation is free.

Daily Challenge

Read John 19, the story about Jesus trial and crucifixion on the cross. That was the work Jesus did for you. Thank God in prayer for His sacrifice.

Salvation Theme Memory VerseEphesians 2:

[God] gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. Gods grace has saved you.