52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids: A Devotional
()
About this ebook
Meet the One Who Changed Everything
You've heard the name "Jesus" a bunch of times. Your parents and other grown-ups have talked about Him. And some of your friends have too. You've read about Him in your Bible. But deep down you don't really know who Jesus is.
Now you don't have to feel left out anymore! This book shows you how much Jesus loves you and what it looks like to follow Him. Each week you'll encounter exciting stories, surprising ideas, and a prayer you can pray whenever you want. Throughout the year, you'll learn that Jesus is...
- The Good Shepherd: He helps you find your way.
- The King of all kings: You are part of His royal family.
- The Bread of Life: He is tasty food for your soul.
- The light of the world: No need to be afraid of the dark anymore!
As you discover these truths, Jesus will become more than a name you hear in church. He'll become one of your best friends!
James Merritt
James Merritt (PhD) is a pastor, author, past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and host of the Touching Lives television program, seen nationwide and in 122 countries. As a national voice on faith and leadership, Merritt has been interviewed by Time, Fox News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes. He resides with his family outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Related to 52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids
Related ebooks
Character-Teaching Bedtime Stories for Kids Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Family Project Devotional: Reflecting God's Design In Your Home Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I Am: 40 Bible Stories, Devotions, and Prayers About the Names of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Now What? For Kids Salvation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Basics for Kids: An Awesome Adventure Through God's Word Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bible Is My Best Friend--Family Devotional: 52 Devotions for Families Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCreative Bible Lessons for Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Salvation: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5CSB One-Minute Bible for Students Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Big Story Bible Stories in 5 Minutes: Connecting Christ Throughout God's Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBraving Sorrow Together: The Transformative Power of Faith and Community When Life is Hard Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTogether: Devotions for Young Children and Families Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShine Your Light for Jesus: 52 Heart-to-Heart Devotions for Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings365 Bible Answers for Curious Kids: An If I Could Ask God Anything Devotional Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe One Year Classic Family Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSay Goodbye to the Grand Duchess of Greed Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings100 Galactic Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 365-Day Storybook Bible, ebook: 5-Minute Stories for Every Day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProverbs for Kids And Those Who Love Them: How God Teaches Wisdom Using Parts of the Human Body Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNow What? For Youth Baptism in the Holy Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings52 Weeks with Jesus: Fall in Love with the One Who Changed Everything Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What's So Wonderful About Webster? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In His Footsteps: I Gave My To Do List To God and Got More Done, More Sleep and Less Stress Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Prophecy for Kids: Revelation 1-7 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You Always Have a Friend in Jesus for Boys: A Tween's Guide to Knowing and Following Him Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEveryday Matters Bible Studies for Women—Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLord, Teach Me to Pray for Kids Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5365 Devotions for Boys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Children's Religious For You
First Virtues: 12 Stories for Toddlers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/550 Bedtime Bible Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Learn Hebrew With Stories And Pictures: Dudu Ha Duhg (Dudu The Fish) - includes vocabulary, questions and audio Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRead and Share Bible: More Than 200 Best Loved Bible Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Children's Bible: Illustrated stories from the Old and New Testaments Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's True Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Action Bible Easter Story Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Berenstain Bears, Faithful Cubs: 3 Books in 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids (Boys Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Snug as a Bug Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Blessings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Beginner's Bible The Very First Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's All About Jesus Bible Storybook: 100 Bible Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of The Stranger in the Lifeboat: by Mitch Albom - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/55-Minute Bedtime Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You Go First Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Prince Warriors Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Berenstain Bears and the Forgiving Tree Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We All Need Forgiveness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Moon Shines Down Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everybody, Always for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Deadly Curse Of Toco-Rey Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Night Before Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bronze Bow: A Newbery Award Winner Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Winter War Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas: God's Plan for the Nativity from Creation to Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for 52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids - James Merritt
day.
1
We Are Family!
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
—John 1:12
If you’re like a lot of people, your favorite holiday is Christmas. There’s so much to love about that season, especially celebrating the birth of Jesus with family and friends.
On December 25, we remember that day thousands of years ago when Jesus was born. And while every child’s birth is a very special event, the birth of Jesus was not your typical birth. People had been looking forward to it for more than four thousand years. That’s a long time to be expecting a baby!
Have you ever made a family tree? A family tree lists your parents, your grandparents, your great-grandparents, and all your relatives as far back as you can find them. The very beginning of the New Testament lists the names of everyone in Jesus’s family tree. Way back at the beginning of time, God made a promise that He would one day send a king who would be the Savior of the world.
God doesn’t do anything randomly. He always had a plan and a purpose for Jesus, and He always has a plan and a purpose for us.
If you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart, you’re also a part of God’s family. Jesus’s family tree is your family tree! No matter who your family is and no matter how much of your family tree you can draw, God is happy to welcome you into His family. You’re an important branch on His tree, and He has an amazing plan for your life.
Being a part of the family of God is so awesome that we don’t have to wait until December 25 to celebrate. We can celebrate being a part of His family every day of the year!
Jesus, thank You that I am part of Your family and that I can celebrate You every day of the year!
Take This with You
God’s family tree is the best place to be.
2
God Loves Misfits
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
—Ephesians 2:4-5
You might think someone as amazing as Jesus would have come from a line of rich and famous people who totally followed God and never did anything wrong, but that’s actually not true at all. Some of the people in Jesus’s family tree were poor. Others were thought of as different or strange. Some were big-time sinners. You can even add wicked kings to the bunch. The truth is, Jesus came from a long line of misfits!
Your family doesn’t have a lot of money? No problem! Jesus Himself was born in a stable, the son of a carpenter, not a prince who was born in a palace. You’re not the most popular person in your class? That’s just fine! Jesus wasn’t very popular with His own people. Your best friend isn’t speaking to you? Not to worry! Jesus knew what it was like to have a best friend turn on Him.
Want to know something really crazy? Jesus was a misfit. Totally telling the truth here! No, He didn’t sin. But He did His own thing. He didn’t act the way people expected Him to act. He didn’t hang out with the people others expected Him to hang out with. He may not have even looked the way people expected Him to look. The people were expecting a powerful king, not some carpenter-turned-teacher who was leading around a sketchy group of followers. You might even call Him the misfit Messiah.
That’s good news for us! You can be exactly who you are, and God will love you. You don’t have to look perfect. You don’t have to act perfect. You don’t have to be perfect at all. You just have to believe that Jesus—who was perfect—was the Son of God and that He died for your sins (your imperfections). That’s all that matters to Him!
Jesus, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You that I don’t have to be perfect and that You love me and accept me just the way I am.
Take This with You
Even though I’m not perfect, God still loves me.
3
You Are Royalty!
The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God.
—Isaiah 62:3
Have you ever dreamed of living in a castle and having an entire kingdom to call your own? It would be fun to be royalty, wouldn’t it?
Actually, you probably are royalty! People who study the history of families have figured out that every person on earth is no doubt descended from one royal person or another. You are royalty and don’t even know it! I bet you had no idea you have the blood of some king or queen flowing through your veins.
What’s even better, if you believe in Jesus and are a part of His family, you’re part of the greatest royal family ever. You’re descended not just from any old king but from the King of kings.
It’s pretty amazing to realize you’re part of the royal family of God, isn’t it? And, even better, you can personally know the King himself. Jesus tells us, I love you. I want to be your Savior. I want to save you from your sins. You are important to My heart.