Bible Reading: Luke 11:1-4

"What did you talk about in Sunday school today?" Sienna's dad asked as the family drove home from church.

"We learned that Jesus took time out of his busy day to pray," replied Sienna.

"Yes, He did, and that's a good thing for all of us to do," said Dad.

"Yeah, I know," said Sienna with a sigh. "I'm just so busy these days. I have basketball and gymnastics and Bible club, and I have a lot more homework this year too. I just don't have time to pray very much."

Mom smiled at her. "Sienna, what's the first thing you do when you get home from school?"

Sienna thought about it. "I call Mariana," she answered. "Unless she calls me first."

"And why do you call Mariana?" asked Mom.

"Because she's my friend," replied Sienna.

"If you're so busy, how do you find time to talk to her every day?" asked Mom.

Sienna shrugged. "I don't know--I just do. I make the time. I like talking with her--she's my friend."

"Well, Jesus is our friend too," said Dad. "He wants to be our very best friend. We should spend time talking with Jesus because we love Him--just like you spend time talking with Mariana because you care about her."

"But I never really know what to say when I pray," said Sienna. "It seems like the stuff I want to talk about wouldn't interest God."

"Oh, but it does," said Dad. "Jesus died and rose again so we could have a relationship with Him, and He cares about all our thoughts and feelings. And you can talk to Him anytime and anyplace."

Mom nodded. "Mariana doesn't go to your school, so you're not able to talk to her throughout the day, but Jesus is with you all the time. You can ask Him for help whenever you need it. And He wants to hear about all the ordinary things going on in your life too."

"Cool!" said Sienna. "I never really thought of prayer as talking with a friend."

"God is always available, but don't forget to also make a special time each day to talk with Him for a few minutes," said Dad. "He wants to hear all you have to say."

–Anna Somers

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

"We have to defeat the monsters!" Max shouted, swinging his imaginary sword. "Let's go get them!" Max and his dad started charging across their backyard toward the imaginary monster lair, swinging their swords and shouting their war cries as they played heroes.

"But wait!" Max's dad stopped short. "We have to put on armor first!"

"Oh yes, you're right. To protect us!"

"Yes! What armor do you think we'll need?"

"A helmet!" Max declared. "And a breastplate!"

"That's exactly right! And don't forget a shield."

Max and his dad started putting on their imaginary armor, making sure their breastplates fit them well and their helmets were securely fastened.

"Now we have our full armor on!" Max said when they were ready.

"You know," Dad said, "the Bible talks about putting on the full armor of God."

"What does that mean?" Max asked.

"It means we should protect ourselves against the devil. Satan wants to lead us away from God, but the Bible gives us ways to stand against him. It says to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness."

"What about our shields and helmets?" asked Max.

"Great point. The Bible talks about taking up the shield of faith, which is faith in Jesus, and putting on the helmet of salvation. Our salvation comes from God when we place our faith in Jesus. Because of Jesus's death and resurrection, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life when we trust Jesus as our Savior, and we receive Jesus's righteousness--His goodness. The Bible also talks about taking up the sword of the Spirit"--Max's dad held up his imaginary sword--"which is the Word of God."

"Is that the Bible?" asked Max.

"Yes!" said Dad. "Putting on our armor helps us remember the truth and power we have in Jesus so we can stand against the devil's lies."

"Well, I want to put on the armor of God!" Max said. "Let's finish defeating these monsters with our pretend swords and then we can go inside and take up the sword of the Spirit by reading the Bible!"

"That sounds like a great idea, Max!" Dad smiled as they started charging toward the imaginary monster lair again.

–Elizabeth Cooper

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-22, 27

Mason's uncle, who raised sled dogs, had harnessed his team, and they were ready for action. "Now, Mason, which dog do you think is most important in getting this sled to the finish line?" asked Uncle Sean.

"The one in front," answered Mason.

Uncle Sean smiled. "That's Silver. He's called the lead dog. Now, which one do you think is least needed?"

"Well, I guess the one way in the back. He probably can't even see where he's going."

Without a word, Uncle Sean unbuckled the harness of the last dog. "Now which is least needed?" When Mason pointed to one of the smaller dogs, Uncle Sean unharnessed that one and asked the question again.

"You're not going to unharness them all, are you?" asked Mason as he pointed to another dog.

Uncle Sean grinned as he went to unharness that one. "I'll certainly leave the lead dog. You already said Silver was important. Now, which is next?"

"But Silver needs the other dogs to help pull the sled!" said Mason. "He can't do it alone. The other dogs might not be as important as the leader, but he needs their help."

"Yes, he does," said Uncle Sean. "But if the others are needed, doesn't that make them just as important as the lead dog?"

"I…I guess so," said Mason thoughtfully. "It seemed like the one in front would be more important than the others, but I guess he really isn't."

"He seemed more important because he's in a more prominent position," Uncle Sean explained. "But always remember that the smallest or least noticed member of a team is just as important as the one who gets the most attention. They all work together." Uncle Sean began harnessing the dogs again. "People are a lot like that. Sometimes we think the leaders are the only ones needed, but that's not true."

"Our sermon last week was about that," said Mason. "Pastor Donovan said God's church is like a body and every part is needed."

"That's right," said Uncle Sean. "In God's sight, what you do for Him is just as important as what anyone else does. We all need to work together as a team to show the world how good it is to know Jesus."

–Deborah S. Marett