WEEKLY CHILDREN S DEVOTIONAL PLAN

WEEKLY CHILDREN S DEVOTIONAL PLAN The following is a plan for a weekly devotional with children using the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook and Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids. Within each outline is a talking point, Bible story, devotional reading, and a key Bible verse. This is intended to be used as a Sunday morning worship moment with children, a devotion for a mid-week children s program, or as a devotional time for any other weekly meeting with your children. WEEK 1: Choose Me WEEK 2: No Need to Pretend Ask the children how they like to spend the time in their day. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 184 185. Read the January 2 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 3. Key Bible verse: Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will never be taken away from her. Luke 10:42 ICB Ask the children which is more important, their outward appearance or their inward appearance. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 96 97. Read the January 14 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 15. Key Bible verse: People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 ICB WEEK 3: I Am Still Here WEEK 4: Hidden Blessings Discuss with the children ways they can seek God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 94 95. Read the January 19 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 20. Key Bible verse: When You said, Seek My face, my heart said to You, Your face, LORD, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 NKJV Discuss with the children how they make good decisions. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 106 107. Read the January 22 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 23. Key Bible verse: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NASB

WEEK 5: Capture Every Thought Discuss with the children how they have the freedom to think many thoughts, make many choices, and dream many dreams. Read the Bible stories from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 22 27. Read the January 29 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 30. Key Bible verse: We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 ICB WEEK 6: I Will Lift You Up Discuss with the children about times they fell down and needed help to get up. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 182 183. Read the February 8 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 41. Key Bible verse: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 NIV WEEK 7: I Am Your Shepherd Ask the children how they take care of pets. Calling Bible Storybook, p. 104. Read the February 15 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 48. Key Bible verse: The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need. Psalm 23:1 ICB WEEK 8: It s Your Choice Discuss with the children how to be thankful and trust God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 64 65. Read the February 21 devotion from 54. Key Bible verse: Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught. And always be thankful. Colossians 2:7 ICB WEEK 9: Worry Worms Discuss with the children what makes them worried. Calling Bible Storybook, p. 163. Read the March 4 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 67. Key Bible verse: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25 NIV WEEK 10: Make Friends With Your Problems Discuss with the children how God can take problems and make something good from them. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 88 91. Read the March 5 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 68. Key Bible verse: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

WEEK 11: A Joy No One Can Steal Discuss with the children how being a Christian doesn t mean you won t have tough times. Read the Bible stories from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 220 223. Read the March 13 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 76. Key Bible verse: Now you are sad. But I will see you again and you will be happy. And no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 ICB WEEK 12: A Joyful Heart Discuss with the children how to rejoice in the Lord. Calling Bible Storybook, p. 105. Read the March 22 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 85. Key Bible verse: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV WEEK 13: Like a Little Child Discuss with the children how much Jesus loves each of them. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 198 199. Read the March 28 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 91. Key Bible verse: I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it. Mark 10:15 ICB WEEK 14: Getting Rid of the Weeds Discuss with the children how to grow a garden. Ask why the weeds in the garden must be pulled. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 166 167. Read the April 2 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 97. Key Bible verse: These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 2 Corinthians 4:17 CEV WEEK 15: Choose to Trust Me Discuss with the children how to always trust God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 68 71. Read the April 12 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 107. Key Bible verse: But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, You are my God. Psalm 31:14 NIV WEEK 16: I Won t Leave You Ever Encourage the children to remember the promise that Jesus will never leave them even when they are afraid. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 206 209. Read the April 20 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 115. Key Bible verse: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

WEEK 17: In the Right Direction Talk with the children about being lost and how sometimes being lost may mean they took their eyes off the adult they were to follow. Read the Bible stories from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 168 Read the April 25 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 120. Key Bible verse: We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. Hebrews 12:2 CEV WEEK 18: Room for Me Explain to the children they are not expected to do everything, and sometimes we all need to ask for help. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 82 83. Read the April 30 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 125. Key Bible verse: The Lord said to me, My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, then my power is made perfect in you. So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ s power can live in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ICB WEEK 19: Defeating Evil Discuss with the children how to trust God when something bad happens. Read the Bible stories from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 54 61. Read the May 7 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 134. Key Bible verse: You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT WEEK 20: I Never Run Out Discuss with the children the local hunger and poverty issues in your community. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 180 181. Read the May 17 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 144. Key Bible verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV WEEK 21: Exactly the Same Discuss with the children how often they change their minds. The crowd honored Jesus on Palm Sunday. Later in the week he was killed. Life is full of change. We can always count on Jesus. He never changes. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 204 205. Read the May 26 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 153. Key Bible verse: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13 NIV WEEK 22: Let Me Stop the Storm Discuss storms with the children weather-related storms as well as stressrelated storms. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 178 179. Read the May 31 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 158. Key Bible verse: Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

WEEK 23: Love Takes Care Of It All Discuss with the children how to see others through eyes of Jesus love. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 176 177. Read the June 9 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 168. Key Bible verse: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV WEEK 24: Bubbling Joy Discuss with the children the term Spirit of God. Explain how the Holy Spirit can move in their lives. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 246 247. Read the June 13 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 172. Key Bible verse: Only God s Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don t know where it comes from or where it is going. John 3:8 CEV WEEK 25: A Perfect Plan Discuss with the children how God has a plan for each of them. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 132 135. Read the June 18 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 177. Key Bible verse: In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV WEEK 26: Together Forever Discuss with the children how God is with them at all times. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 244 245. Read the June 29 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 188. Key Bible verse: O God, You are my God; early will I seek You. Psalm 63:1 NKJV WEEK 27: Not Guilty Discuss with the children how they treat others. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 164 165. Read the July 3 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 194. Key Bible verse: Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 NIV WEEK 28: Constantly & Perfectly Loved Discuss with the children how they can love a person even if they don t love what the person does. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 172 175. Read the July 13 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 204. Key Bible verse: Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 NIV

WEEK 29: Dare to Be Different to be a bright and shining star in this dark world. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 124 127. Read the July 20 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 211. Key Bible verse: Then you will be innocent and without anything wrong in you. You will be God s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you. Among them you shine like stars in the dark world. Philippians 2:15 ICB WEEK 30: Be a Light to be a light in the world. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 190 191. Read the July 23 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 214. Key Bible verse: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV WEEK 31: The Way to follow the Way. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 238 239. Read the August 4 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 227. Key Bible verse: Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6 NIV WEEK 32: First, You Must Trust Me Discuss with the children how we all have trouble. Encourage them to always trust God for help. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 108 109. Read the August 6 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 229. Key Bible verse: He makes me like a deer, which does not stumble. He helps me stand on the steep mountains. Psalm 18:33 ICB WEEK 33: Expect the Impossible Discuss with the children how to develop trust in God and to look to Him for guidance. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 114 119. Read the August 18 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 241. Key Bible verse: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV WEEK 34: I ve Got Plans for You to have devotion to God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 156 159. Read the August 21 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 244. Key Bible verse: O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. 1 Kings 8:23 NLT

WEEK 35: Autopilot Discuss with the children the importance of reading the Bible each day. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 248 249. Read the August 27 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 250. Key Bible verse: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV WEEK 36: No Other Friend Like Me Discuss with the children how great a sacrifice Jesus made when He was arrested and died for us. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 210 211. Read the September 5 devotion from 260. Key Bible verse: There is no greater love than to lay down one s life for one s friends. John 15:13 NLT WEEK 37: Your Secret Mission to sacrifice and to live your life for God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 250 251. Read the September 14 devotion from 269. Key Bible verse: Since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him. This is the spiritual way for you to worship. Romans 12:1 ICB WEEK 38: Working for Me Discuss with the children the many ways to work for God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 232 233. Read the September 18 devotion from 273. Key Bible verse: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT WEEK 39: Trust Keeps You Safe that the curtain was torn when Jesus died on the cross. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 214 219. Read the September 26 devotion from 281. Key Bible verse: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. Matthew 27:50-51 NIV WEEK 40: My Spirit in You Discuss with the children who the Holy Spirit is and how the Holy Spirit can work in their lives. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 228 231. Read the October 4 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 291. Key Bible verse: Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. John 14:16 CEV

WEEK 41: Unchanging Discuss with the children how God loves us all with an unfailing love. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 234 235. Read the October 8 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 295. Key Bible verse: I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3 NLT WEEK 42: The Good Shepherd Discuss with the children how they are wonderfully made. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 16-22 Read the October 20 devotion from 307. Key Bible verse: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. Psalm 139:14 NIV WEEK 43: That s Not Fair Discuss what it means when you hear someone say, That s not fair. How are we taught to act? Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 240 241. Read the October 28 devotion from 315. Key Bible verse: If someone does wrong to you, then forgive him. Forgive each other because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 ICB WEEK 44: That Helpless Feeling Discuss with the children how God always wants to be a part of our lives and help us with our struggles. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 78 81. Read the November 2 devotion from Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids, p. 321. Key Bible verse: You are kind, LORD, so good and merciful. You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me and treated me so kindly that I don t need to worry anymore. Psalm 116:5 7 CEV WEEK 45: In Hard Times Discuss with the children how they can be encouragers and help others during difficult times. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 136 137. Read the November 8 devotion from 327. Key Bible verse: By his power we live and move and exist. Acts 17:28 ICB WEEK 46: A Better Way that Jesus defeated the world and why that should give us peace. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 226 227. Read the November 15 devotion from 334. Key Bible verse: In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world! John 16:33 ICB

WEEK 47: Never Stop Praying Discuss with the children how to never stop praying. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 128 131. Read the November 25 devotion from 344. Key Bible verse: Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 18 NLT WEEK 48: Always & Perfectly Discuss with the children the importance of saying thank you. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 192 193. Read the November 28 devotion from 347. Key Bible verse: Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Psalm 107:21 NIV WEEK 49: Every Detail Discuss with the children how God is in control and knows all things. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 120 121. Read the December 7 devotion from 358. Key Bible verse: And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30 NIV WEEK 50: Faith is Knowing to have faith in God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 142 143. Read the December 11 devotion from 362. Key Bible verse: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV WEEK 51: Traveling Discuss with the children how Mary had faith in God. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 140 141. Read the December 21 devotion from 372. Key Bible verse: Jesus replied, Didn t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God? John 11:40 CEV WEEK 52: Celebrate the Gift Discuss with the children how Jesus is the most important Christmas gift. Calling Bible Storybook, pp. 144 147. Read the December 24 devotion from 375. Key Bible verse: Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. Psalm 90:2 NLT