God's Beloved Community: A 5-Day Reading Plan for KidsSample

Day Five

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”—Matthew 19:14, niv

When you reconcile people to God

and to each other as a diverse family,

you spread the good news of this colorful dream:

God’s beloved community!

Devotion

It takes courage to reach out to people who are different or to speak up when we see something wrong. But you know what? God gives us all the courage we need to do what he calls us to do. And he knows that kids can make a BIG difference in the world. Jesus even said that the kingdom of God belongs to — Do you know who? — Kids! So if you ever wonder if your kind words or smile or courageous actions matter, you can remember that they matter a LOT to God. They are God’s dream of beloved community coming true through you.

Prayer

Dear God,

I am excited that you want to use me to help create your beloved community! Help me see ways to be kind, especially to people who are different from me. Help me see when something is wrong that needs to be made right. Most of all, help me to be color-brave—because the braver I am, the more I get to know you!

Amen.

Activity

Go to the library and pick out a book (or two or three!) about someone who has different color skin than you do. Draw a picture of yourself and a picture of the character in the book. What is similar about you and the character? What is different?