Volume 2

Paul J. Loth

Illustrated by Daniel J. Hochstatter

The Bible Tells Me So, Volume 2 Copyright © 1993, 2012 Educational Publishing Concepts, Wheaton, IL 60189

All rights Reserved.

The Bible version used is the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1991, by the American Bible Society. Scripture noted NKJV is from the THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION, Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Table of Contents

An Open Letter to Parents

The Bible Lasts Forever

God Is Faithful

God Is Just

God Is Our Father

God Is Three in One

God Never Changes

God Is Everywhere

Jesus Is God

Jesus Is Our Friend

Jesus Is the Lord

Jesus Is God’s Son

The Holy Spirit Helped Write the Bible

The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray

Satan Is Captain of the Other Team

The Battle Inside

Jesus Helps Us Stop Sinning

Faith Is Believing

Jesus Makes Us Children of God

We Are Chosen

We Are Saints

We Are the Church

God Will Separate the Good and the Bad

Here Comes the Judge

Jesus Will Bring Us to Heaven

Waiting for Our Reward

An Open Letter to Parents

One of the favorite times of the day with our children is our time of family devotions. It is during this time that we can talk about God and His Word. We can listen to our children talk about their concerns as well and can answer questions about the Lord. The Bible Tells Me So seeks to provide an opportunity to help our children understand the basic beliefs of our faith as presented in the Bible.

Quality time with our children is difficult to have in today’s fast-paced world. That is why the family devotional time must include listening as well as talking.

Perhaps the greatest key to the success of family devotions is having a consistent time. Find a time that is free from distractions and scheduling conflicts. The length of time is not nearly so significant as its frequency and consistency.

The Bible Tells Me So is a unique family devotional. It is for families with young children desiring a family devotional time that includes time for talking about the Lord. Children have many questions about God. And the Bible has many answers. The family devotions in this book will not only provide instruction about what the Bible teaches about God but will also provide the framework for family discussions, questions, and further explanations.

This is done in four steps:

The Thinking Step

If young children are to appreciate what the Bible says to them, they must identify its application to their lives right now. This time in your family devotions allows your family opportunity to explore your life today.

The Listening Step

Beliefs in the Christian life must come from the Bible. This step presents the biblical teachings about our basic beliefs as Christians.

The Talking Step

Talking together as a family is perhaps the most significant part of family devotions. This step provides questions to guide family discussions. It is at this time that the biblical teachings can be reinforced and applied to specific life situations and applications.

The Praying Step

As the saying goes, “The family that prays together, stays together.” Teaching our children to pray to their heavenly Father should be a special emphasis of every parent.

At the conclusion of each family devotional time is a Scripture verse which summarizes the teaching of the lesson. Many families will work with their children to memorize these verses. They will keep the focus of the lesson clearly upon God’s Word.

May you and your children find these devotionals helpful in enlarging your understanding of our beliefs as members of the household of faith. And may they be used to draw your family closer together around His throne.

Paul J. Loth, Ed.D.

The Bible Lasts Forever

Isaiah 40:1-8

The Thinking Step

What is the oldest book you have ever seen?

Why would an old book be special?

The Listening Step

Isaiah loved God. God thought Isaiah was special. He was God’s messenger. He told people what God wanted them to know. God first told Isaiah. Then Isaiah told the people.

One day God said to Isaiah, “Cry out to the people!”

“What shall I tell the people?” Isaiah asked God.

“Tell them that flowers fade and grass dies, but God’s Word lasts forever,” God said.

The Bible was written a long time ago. Many people have tried to destroy the Bible. Others have tried to prove that the Bible is not true. But everything in the Bible has come true. Books have passed on. People have died. What the Bible says remains. The Bible really does last forever.

The Talking Step

Do you think your grandparents read the Bible?

Do you think your grandchildren will read the Bible?

Why does the Bible last forever?

The Praying Step

Things change all the time: People move away or die, plants die, pets die, we all get older. Thank You that Your word never changes. Help me to study Your word and keep it in my heart.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 NKJV

God Is Faithful

Matthew 8:18-27; 14:22-33; 28:16-200

The Thinking Step

Have you ever had friends not keep their promises? What happened?

How did you feel about your friends after they let you down?

The Listening Step

Jesus was talking to His friends. He was saying goodbye. He was going to heaven.

Jesus said He would always be with them. The disciples believed Him. They remembered a special time. They were in the middle of a bad storm. Jesus stood up in the boat. Then He looked out over the high waves. “Peace! Be still!” Jesus said. And the storm stopped.

The disciples thought about this. They believed Jesus.

He will always be with us, too. We can always believe Him. God keeps His promises. God is faithful.

The Talking Step

Why are you glad God is faithful?

How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?

In the life of your parents? Your grandparents?

The Praying Step

When I am lonely, I feel better knowing that Jesus is always with me. I am glad that I can always believe what You promise. Thank You for always keeping Your word.

God can be trusted, and he chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God Is Just

Romans 2:1—16

The Thinking Step

Have you ever said, “It’s not fair!”? Why?

Whom do you know who always decides fairly?

Anyone ever say to you, “It’s not fair”?

The Listening Step

It may seem that God is not paying attention. But He is. He sees what is going on. He remembers. A long time ago people were doing many wrong things. Paul told them that God would judge them for what they had done.

“God will judge fairly,” Paul wrote. “Those who do the wrong thing will be punished. Those who do the right thing will be rewarded.” Many people thought that God would give them special treatment. But Paul said no. God will judge everyone according to how they live their lives.

God is fair. He will judge each of us fairly.

The Talking Step

Are you glad God is fair in how He judges people? Why?

Name a time God judged someone fairly. Did He punish or reward that person?

The Praying Step

Things in our world do not always happen fairly. I get discouraged about that. Thank You for always being fair in what You do. That makes the unfairness around me easier to take.

You see that justice is done.

Psalm 7:11

God Is Our Father

Matthew 6:9-13

The Thinking Step

What does a parent do?

Are parents always nice?

Do parents try to do things to help their children?

The Listening Step

The disciples wanted to learn to pray. They wanted Jesus to teach them. Jesus began His prayer in a special way. “Our Father,” Jesus began. The disciples were afraid of God. God was powerful. He made the world. Now Jesus was telling them to call Him Father.

They did not understand. They knew Jesus was the Son of God. But how did that make Him their Father? They were special. Jesus lived inside of them. This made God their father, too.

We are special now. Because of Jesus, God accepts us as His children. And God is our Father. We have a special relationship with God. He is our Father.

The Talking Step

How should we act toward God as our Father?

How does God treat us as His children?

The Praying Step

A father should be obeyed and loved. A father takes care of his children and helps them with their problems. Thank You for being my loving, perfect Father.

You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the all-powerful. I will be a Father to You.

2 Corinthians 6:18

God Is Three in One

Matthew 6:9-13, 28:19; Luke 3:21-22; 2 Corinthians 13:13

The Thinking Step

How many people do you have in your family?

How many families do your mom and dad and your brothers and sisters make? One? Or more?

The Listening Step

God is talked about many times in the Bible. God made the world. And the Spirit of God moved around the earth. Jesus, who is God’s Son, came to earth as a person.

God’s family has three members, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Each member of God’s family is God even though there are three of them. Each of them is still God.

We have special jobs in our family. And the Father, Son, and Spirit have special jobs, too. God made us. Jesus died for us. And the Spirit helps us.

It is good that there are three members of God’s family. We need all three of them.

The Talking Step

The next time you read the Bible, look for the three members of God’s family.

Maybe you can find all three in the same verse.

How do all three members of God’s family help us?

The Praying Step

Being part of a family is a special feeling. Thank You that I am part of Your family. Thank You for the three members of Your family who do their special jobs to take care of me.

I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will bless you and be kind to you! May God bless you with his love, and may the Holy Spirit join all your hearts together.

Corinthians 13:13

God Never Changes

Exodus 12:1-36; Luke 2:1-32

The Thinking Step

How have you changed since last year?

What changes have there been in your life since last year?

What has changed in your family since last year?

The Listening Step

Everything changes. People change the way they look. Things in our life change. But God never changes.

The people of Israel were worried. They knew God loved them. And they knew He promised to save them. But they had waited for Jesus for a long time. Would God ever give them a Savior? They knew God took care of them. God saved them from Egypt. God protected them from the Red Sea. God helped David defeat Goliath. And God protected Israel from their enemies.

Soon an angel gave the good news. Jesus was born. God did keep His promise. He did send a Savior. Now the people of Israel knew for sure. God never changes.

The Talking Step

What is it that never changes about God?

What does that mean to you?

The Praying Step

It seems like so many things around me are changing. Friends move away; people die; friends break promises. Thank You that You never change. I can always trust You.

For I am the LORD, I do not change.

Malachi 3:6 NKJV

God Is Everywhere

Psalm 139

The Thinking Step

Have you ever thought that your mom and dad had “eyes in the back of their heads”? Why?

How would you feel or act if you knew someone was watching you all the time?

The Listening Step

David had a problem. He knew God was everywhere. David was a king of Israel. He knew that God knew everything about him. There was nowhere he could go to hide from God. God was everywhere!

David wrote a song about it. “Where could I go to escape from your Spirit? Or from your sight?” David wrote. David knew that God was there, no matter where he went. God was everywhere.

That meant that God knew everything David did. It also meant that God was there to help David when he needed help. David was glad that God was everywhere.

The Talking Step

How does knowing God is everywhere make you feel?

What does it make you want to do differently?

Explain how you will act and what you will do knowing that God is everywhere.

The Praying Step

It is a little bit scary to know that You know everything I do and think. Help me to remember that every day. Then I can live my life so I won’t be ashamed to have You see me all the time.

Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.

Psalm 139:9-10

Jesus Is God

Mark 2:1-12

The Thinking Step

Have you ever seen God?

What do you think He would look like?

The Listening Step

Jesus had just healed a man. The chief priests were not happy. Jesus had said something which made them angry. “Your sins are forgiven,” Jesus told him. “Only God can forgive sins,” the priests said.

That’s right! That was what Jesus was trying to tell them. “I and the Father are One,” Jesus said. Now they were really mad. But Jesus was only telling the truth. Jesus was God.

“When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father,” Jesus told them.

The Talking Step

Are you glad Jesus is God? Why?

What would you have done if you lived when Jesus did?

The Praying Step

Please forgive my sins. I try not to sin, but sometimes it just happens. Help me to be stronger and to live my life so that others can see You by watching me.

Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the firstborn son, superior to all creation.

Colossians 1:15

Jesus Is Our Friend

John 15:9-17

The Thinking Step

Name your closest friends.

Why are they such good friends?

What makes a good friend?

The Listening Step

The disciples had been with Jesus for a long time. They loved Jesus very much. And Jesus loved them.

“I don’t call you servants any more,” Jesus told the disciples. “I call you My friends. The greatest love a man has is to give his life for his friends.”

The disciples knew they would never have a better friend than Jesus. He was always with them. He always helped them. In the end, He died for them. Jesus was their best friend.

Jesus is our best friend, too. He is always with us. And Jesus will take care of us. It is good to know we have a friend like Jesus.

The Talking Step

What could you do to be better friends with Jesus?

How has Jesus been a good friend to you?

The Praying Step

Thank You, Jesus, that You are always with me, in good times and bad. Since You are my friend, help me to make time to spend with You, talking to You and reading Your word.

And you are my friends, if you obey me.

John 15:14

Jesus Is the Lord

Philippians 1:1

The Thinking Step

Is there someone whom you always obey?

Why?

What would happen if you disobeyed that person?

The Listening Step

A long time ago, slaves helped people. Slaves did not get paid. They belonged to their owners. Slaves had to do what their owners told them to do. Slaves called their owners lord or master.

Jesus was called Lord and Master, too. In fact, Paul called himself a slave. He was a “slave of Jesus Christ.” Paul belonged to Christ. He wanted to obey Him. Jesus was Lord over Paul’s life.

If we love Jesus, He is our Lord as well. We belong to Jesus. We are to obey Him. We are to do whatever He says. Jesus is our Friend. He is our Savior. He is our Lord.

The Talking Step

Is Jesus Lord of your life?

How do you know?

Do you always do whatever Jesus says?

How could you make Jesus Lord of your life, more than He is already?

The Praying Step

It is not easy to obey all the time. Even when it is You I am supposed to obey. Forgive me for not obeying, and give me strength to obey You all the time.

And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!”

Philippians 2:11

Jesus Is God’s Son

Luke 3:7-22; John 17:6-28

The Thinking Step

Whom do you know who is a son?

How does his father feel about him?

Who has a better chance of getting favors from his father—you or his son?

The Listening Step

Jesus is special. He is God’s Son. Jesus is special to God. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened up. God said, “You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Like any son, Jesus can ask God to do things. God will do them. Jesus prayed a prayer for us the night before He died. He asked God to keep us safe. He asked God to help us to always follow Him.

Those who believe in Jesus are able to ask God things. He will do them. We have a special relationship with God’s Son. That means we are special to God as well. Jesus is special because He is the Son of God. If we accept Jesus, then God will accept us.

The Talking Step

Why is it special to you that Jesus is God’s Son?

What can Jesus do for you by being the Son of God?

The Praying Step

Jesus, You are special because You loved me so much that You died for me. I will be able to go to heaven because of what You did. Thank You, Jesus. I love You.

You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

The Holy Spirit Helped Write the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21

The Thinking Step

Have you ever written something?

Did someone tell you what to write?

Have you ever helped someone else write something?

The Listening Step

Many people wrote the Bible. Moses wrote part. David wrote some of the Psalms. Paul wrote much of the New Testament. There were many other writers, too. But the real writer of the Bible is the Holy Spirit.

Peter said the Bible is “God-breathed.” God told the Holy Spirit what to say. The Holy Spirit told the writers of the Bible. Then they wrote what the Holy Spirit told them.

That is why the Bible is God’s words. When we read the Bible, we are reading the words of God. That’s what makes the Bible a special book.

The Talking Step

How much of the Bible have you read?

Why should it be a special book?

How should reading the Bible help you?

The Praying Step

Reading the Bible is the way that I can talk to You. I can learn what You think about just about anything, just by reading it. Thank You for giving us the Bible.

The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but they were guided by the Spirit of God.

2 Peter 1:21

The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray

Romans 8:18-30

The Thinking Step

When have you had trouble getting your friends to understand what you’re saying?

The Listening Step

Different things concern us. What worries your friends may not worry you. And what worries you may not worry your friends. But God is concerned about each of us.

Sometimes it is hard to explain how we feel. We may understand how we feel. We may not be able to explain it. That is why God gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is inside each of us. He knows how we feel. We don’t have to explain it.

When we pray, the Holy Spirit tells God how we feel. He can explain it better. He can help us pray.

The Talking Step

What would you like the Holy Spirit to help you pray for today?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray.

The Praying Step

I don’t always know what to pray for, or how to pray about some things. Thank You for the help I can get from the Holy Spirit.

In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.

Romans 8:26

Satan Is Captain of the Other Team

Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:10-20

The Thinking Step

Do you know someone who scares you?

What do you do when you see this person coming?

The Listening Step

Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus very much. Jesus has the power of God.

Jesus went into the desert. Satan tried to get Jesus to disobey God. Satan tried to trick Jesus. Satan wanted Jesus to obey him. Satan tried very hard. But Jesus did riot fall for any of the tricks.

Satan is very strong. Many people fall for his tricks. Satan tricked Eve. He got her to disobey God in the Garden of Eden. Only Jesus is stronger than Satan.

Satan still tries to get people to do wrong things. But God is stronger than Satan. God will help us fight against Satan. All we need to do is ask Him.

The Talking Step

Has Satan tried to get you to do wrong things?

What did you do?

The next time Satan tries to get you to disobey God, ask God to help you.

The Praying Step

Since Jesus was tempted by Satan, He understands when I am tempted. I don’t want Satan to win in my life. Help me fight against temptation.

Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.

Ephesians 6:11

The Battle Inside

Romans 7:13-25

The Thinking Step

Have you ever tried to be good all the time?

How did you do?

Why do you think it is so hard to always do the right thing?

The Listening Step

The apostle Paul had a problem. He always tried to be good. Paul went to a school that taught him the Bible. He even had one of the best private teachers. But he still had trouble being good.

Later in his life he wrote to the Christians in Rome about his problem. “I want to do the right thing, but I do the wrong thing. And I do what I do not want to do.” Paul was upset. “There is something in me that makes me do the wrong thing,” he writes to the Romans.

That is called a sin nature. It makes us do the wrong thing even if we want to do the right thing. But Paul gave his friends in Rome good news, too. Jesus helps us do the right thing. He helps us to obey God as we want.

The Talking Step

When was the last time you tried to do the right thing but did the wrong thing instead?

Ask God to help you obey Him better.

The Praying Step

I know just how Paul felt. Sometimes I get discouraged that I can’t do the right thing all the time. Please help me to trust You, and to use Your strength to be good, not my own strength.

I know that my selfish desires won’t let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot.

Romans 7:18

Jesus Helps Us Stop Sinning

Romans 7:13-25

The Thinking Step

Have you ever felt that you can’t stop doing the wrong thing?

Has there ever been a time in which you needed help being good?

The Listening Step

It can be hard to do the right thing. Disobeying is sometimes easier than obeying.

Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. We deserved to be punished. But Jesus was punished instead of us. Jesus saved us from being punished for our sins. Jesus also makes it easier for us to obey God.

Paul called himself “the chief of sinners.” He wanted to do the right thing but he couldn’t. The harder he tried to obey God, the more he disobeyed. What could Paul do? Paul wrote letters to his friends about his problem. “Jesus gives me the victory,” Paul wrote. When we become Christians, Jesus changes our lives. We do not want to do bad things. Now we want to obey Jesus. We want to make Him happy.

Jesus will help us do the right thing. He changes us from the inside. Now we want to obey Him all the time.

The Talking Step

Have you asked Jesus to help you obey Him?

How has Jesus helped you do the right thing?

The Praying Step

I want to do right things, but sometimes it is so hard. I start doing wrong things before I even realize it. Please give me strength to stop doing wrong things, help me to obey You.

Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.

Romans 7:24-25

Faith Is Believing

John 20:11-31

The Thinking Step

Have you ever had to have faith in something that was hard to believe?

What was it?

Why was it hard to believe?

The Listening Step

The disciples were happy. Jesus was alive! Thomas did not think it was true. He was sure Jesus was dead. He had to see Jesus with his own eyes. That is why he is called doubting Thomas.

One day Thomas did see Jesus. Jesus was alive! Thomas looked at Jesus. He touched Him. He finally believed.

“You believe in Me because you see Me,” Jesus said. “But others believe when they have not seen Me.” That is faith. The other disciples had faith. They believed in Jesus even though they did not see Him. When we believe in Jesus we have faith. We do not see Him but we know He is real. Jesus likes that. He wants us to believe in Him.

The Talking Step

What would it be like to have faith in Jesus all the time?

Why do we need to have faith to make Jesus happy?

Do you have faith?

When should you have had more faith?

The Praying Step

Sometimes it is hard to have faith. Especially when I don’t see answers to my prayers right away. Thank You for being patient with me when I don’t have as much faith as I should.

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1

Jesus Makes Us Children of God

Galatians 4:1-11

The Thinking Step

Whose child are you?

What does that mean?

Do you get special privileges by being in your family that your friends do not get?

The Listening Step

Paul cared for the Galatians very much. Paul had told them about Jesus. He even helped them start their church. But Paul was worried about them. Jesus had done a lot for these people. Paul wanted them to know this.

“You are not a slave any more,” Paul wrote to them. “You are now a child of God. And as a child of God, you receive part of God’s kingdom.” Jesus brought us into His family. It is the family of God. We are one of His children now. God is our father. And we will help run His kingdom.

We should be glad we are part of God’s family!

The Talking Step

Are you one of God’s children? Why?

What does that mean to you?

Whom do you know who is a brother or sister in God’s family? Is your mom or dad?

The Praying Step

Thank You for making me part of Your family. Thank You for loving me so much that You would die for me. Being part of Your family gives me a great inheritance.

Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are.

1 John 3:1

We Are Chosen

John 15:1-17

The Thinking Step

Do you have a pet in your house?

What kind of pet is it?

How did you decide what pet to have?

The Listening Step

The disciples were special to Jesus. And Jesus was special to them. They talked together often. This time Jesus told them things they did not understand.

“You are no longer slaves,” Jesus said. “You are My friends.” This was good. It was special to be a friend of Jesus. They were glad that Jesus was their friend. But Jesus had more to tell them.

“You did not choose Me,” Jesus said. “I chose you even before the world was made.”

A long time ago God knew we would be born. He chose us to be His children! We are special children of God. God wanted us. We were chosen by Him.

The Talking Step

How do you feel knowing that you were chosen by God?

Thank God for choosing you.

Ask Him to help you be a good child.

The Praying Step

It makes me feel very special to know You chose me, and You made me to be just who I am. Thank You for loving me so much. I love You, too.

Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.

Ephesians 1:4

We Are Saints

Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:1

The Thinking Step

Have you ever heard someone say, “You’re no saint”?

What do you think they meant?

Do you know you really are a saint?

The Listening Step

Paul told a lot of people about Jesus. Many of these people became Christians. Then Paul helped start new churches. The new Christians were part of these churches. Later Paul wrote letters to the churches. These letters make up much of the Bible.

Paul wrote interesting letters to these churches. He did not start the letters “Dear....” Paul started his letters “To the saints....” Saint means someone who has done nothing wrong.

We can be saints. We must ask Jesus into our heart. Then He forgives us. It is like we have done no wrong. So we are all saints. When God looks at us, He sees people who are without sin.

The Talking Step

Would your friends think you’re a “saint”? Why? Why not?

How could you better live like a saint?

The Praying Step

I’m glad that You see me as if I have done nothing wrong, because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Help me to live so that my friends will see I am different from others. Help me to tell them why I am different.

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God.

Ephesians 2:19

We Are the Church

1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:11-16

The Thinking Step

Are you or have you ever been on a team?

Who makes up the team?

If one player left your team, would you still have a team?

The Listening Step

Church means different things. It sometimes means a building. And other times church means a program we attend. Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians. He wanted them to know about the church.

Paul told them. To Paul the church is the people. The church is like our body. Every person in the church is a part of the body. The church body is made of people.

We are the church. Each of us is a special part of the church. We and all our friends are the church.

The Talking Step

What would happen to the church if everyone stopped coming?

How would people act if they knew that they were an important part of the church?

What are things you should do as an important part of the church?

The Praying Step

Even though I am young I am important to the church. Help me to know what I can do in the church. Thank You that I can be part of the church team.

Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.

1 Corinthians 12:27

God Will Separate the Good and the Bad

Matthew 25:31-46

The Thinking Step

Have you ever tried to sort your toys?

Do you throw some toys away?

How do you decide which toys to keep?

The Listening Step

One day Jesus will be king. He will return to begin His kingdom on earth. Then He will have special things to do.

He will be like a shepherd. Jesus told the disciples. A shepherd sorts the animals. He puts the sheep on one side. And he puts the goats on the other.

That is what Jesus will do. He will separate everyone. Those of us who believe in Jesus as our Savior will be on one side. Those who did not trust in Jesus as Savior will be on the other side.

The Talking Step

On which side will you be? Why?

Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior?

The Praying Step

Thank You that everything You do is done in love. Thank You for giving us each the chance to choose to trust You as Savior. Help me to tell my friends about You.

Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created.

Matthew 25:34

Here Comes the Judge

Revelation 20:11-15

The Thinking Step

Have you ever been in a courtroom? Have you ever seen a courtroom on television?

What happens?

The Listening Step

John was a special disciple of Jesus. They were close friends. John even wrote a book about Jesus. It is in the Bible. It is called the Gospel of John.

One day God told John what was going to happen. John wrote what God told him. One day Jesus will return, John wrote. He will judge everyone in the world. Jesus will have a big book. This book is called the Book of Life.

Jesus will call the first person up to see Him. Then He will look to see if the person’s name is in the Book of Life. If it is not, he will be punished. But if his name is in the Book of Life, he will join the others with Jesus in heaven.

The Book of Life lists everyone’s name who has trusted in Jesus as Savior. Our names are in that Book!

The Talking Step

Is your name in the Book of Life? Why? Why not?

Are you looking forward to that day? Why? Why not?

The Praying Step

Thank You that my name is in Your Book of Life. I want my friends and family to be with us in heaven. Please help me see times when I can talk to them about You.

We die only once, and then we are judged.

Hebrews 9:27

Jesus Will Bring Us to Heaven

John 14:1-14; Acts 1:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Thinking Step

Have you ever waited for someone to pick you up and take you somewhere special?

How did you feel?

The Listening Step

Jesus had just said goodbye to the disciples. But He would be back. The angel said so.

Jesus had told the disciples the same thing. They would remember this. “I will come again,” Jesus had said, “and receive you to Myself.” Jesus would come again. He would come and get the disciples.

Paul reminded Christians about this. “The trumpet will sound. The Lord will come down. We will meet the Lord in the air.”

Jesus will come again. And He will take us to be with Him. He will bring us to Heaven.

The Talking Step

How do you feel about Jesus coming to get us? Why?

Why do you think Jesus is doing this?

What should we be doing while we wait?

The Praying Step

Thinking about being with You in heaven makes me happy. Thank You for dying for my sins and for coming back to get me. Help me to be ready for Your return.

After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.

John 14:3

Waiting for Our Reward

John 15:18—16:6

The Thinking Step

Have you ever received a reward? What did you do? What reward did you receive?

Did you have to wait for your reward?

The Listening Step

Many people did not believe Jesus. He made many others mad. People did not treat Jesus well. He knew they would treat His helpers badly, too. He warned them.

Soon the disciples knew what Jesus meant. People made fun of them. Some were arrested for talking about Jesus. Some were even killed.

But Jesus told them to keep on going. Keep telling people about Him. If they did, God would reward them. “Your Father who sees in secret,” Jesus said, “will reward you openly.”

God will reward us for what we do.

The Talking Step

For what would God reward you?

What could you do today for which God would reward you?

The Praying Step

I want You to be happy with me and with what I do for You. Help me to live so that others can see Jesus in me. Thank You for the reward of Your love and eternal life with You.

The Son of Man will soon come in the glory of His Father and with His angels to reward all people for what they have done.

Matthew 16:27

Other Books in the First Steps Devotional Series

First Steps

75 Devotions for Families with Young Children

The Bible Tells Me So Volume 1

25 Devotions for Families with Young Children

The Bible Tells Me So Volume 3

25 Devotions for Families with Young Children

Table of Contents

An Open Letter to Parents

The Bible Lasts Forever

God Is Faithful

God Is Just

God Is Our Father

God Is Three in One

God Never Changes

God Is Everywhere

Jesus Is God

Jesus Is Our Friend

Jesus Is the Lord

Jesus Is God’s Son

The Holy Spirit Helped Write the Bible

The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray

Satan Is Captain of the Other Team

The Battle Inside

Jesus Helps Us Stop Sinning

Faith Is Believing

Jesus Makes Us Children of God

We Are Chosen

We Are Saints

We Are the Church

God Will Separate the Good and the Bad

Here Comes the Judge

Jesus Will Bring Us to Heaven

Waiting for Our Reward