Category: Children’s Devotionals

Jesus Teaches Me to Love Others

📖 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
—John 15:12 (NKJV)

Jesus told His disciples to love one another, but He did not leave them wondering what that love should look like. He said, “as I have loved you.” Jesus Himself is our example.

How did Jesus love His disciples? He was patient with them when they did not understand. He taught them the truth. He served them. He forgave them. He cared for them. And He was preparing to show the greatest love of all by giving His life on the cross.

Jesus teaches us that love is more than saying, “I love you.” Love shows up in what we do.

You show love when you share with your brother or sister instead of always wanting things for yourself. You show love when you include someone who feels left out. You show love when you tell the truth, even when telling a lie might be easier. You show love when you forgive someone who has hurt you.

Sometimes loving someone means doing something you would rather not do. Maybe you want the last cookie, but you give it to someone else. Maybe you want to keep playing, but someone needs your help. Love teaches us not to think only about ourselves.

But loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they do. Jesus always loved people, but He never called wrong things right. Sometimes love means kindly telling the truth or refusing to join someone in doing something God says is wrong.

Jesus had just told His disciples to abide in Him. That is important because we need Him to teach us how to love. When we stay close to Jesus, listen to His Word, and obey Him, He changes the way we treat people.

And you do not have to wait until you are older to begin.

Today, look for one person you can encourage, help, forgive, or serve.

Knowing Jesus teaches us how to love because He first shows us what love looks like.

Love does not only ask, “What do I want?”

Love also asks, “How can I care for someone else?”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me what love looks like. Help me love others the way You teach me to love. Teach me to be patient, kind, truthful, forgiving, and willing to help. When I want to think only about myself, remind me of how You loved others. Let Your love be seen in the way I treat people today. Amen.

Jesus Chose Me to Bear Fruit

📖 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…”
—John 15:16a (NKJV)

Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them something very important. He had chosen and appointed them to go and bear fruit. Their lives were supposed to show that they belonged to Him.

What kind of fruit was Jesus talking about? He was not talking about apples, oranges, or grapes! He was talking about the good things that grow from a life that follows Him.

When you love others, obey God, tell the truth, forgive, show kindness, and serve someone who needs help, your life begins to show what it looks like to follow Jesus. Jesus wants His followers to live in ways that honor God.

But remember what Jesus had just taught about the vine and branches. A branch cannot produce fruit by itself. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5, NKJV). We need Him.

That means bearing fruit is not about trying to impress Jesus by showing Him how good you can be. We remain close to Him, listen to His Word, obey what He says, and depend upon Him. He changes us as we follow Him.

Jesus also said the fruit should “remain” (John 15:16, NKJV). He wants our lives to have a lasting impact for His kingdom. A kind word, an act of obedience, telling someone about Jesus, or faithfully praying for another person may seem small, but God can use our obedience in ways we may never see.

You do not have to be grown up before God can use your life. Jesus called children to come to Him, and you can begin following Him faithfully right now.

Knowing Jesus changes the way you live.

Stay close to Him, obey His Word, and let your life show that you belong to Him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling Your followers to bear fruit for You. Help me stay close to You and obey Your Word. Teach me to love others, speak truth, forgive, serve, and do what pleases You. Use even the small things I do in obedience to You, and let my life show others that I belong to You. Amen.

Jesus Calls Me His Friend

📖 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
—John 15:14 (NKJV)

Have you ever thought about what makes someone a good friend? A good friend cares about you, tells you the truth, and wants what is good for you. Jesus told His disciples something wonderful: He called them His friends.

But Jesus did not say friendship with Him means we can simply do whatever we want. He said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Our obedience does not earn His love. Obedience shows that we truly love Him and recognize Him as our Lord.

Jesus had already told His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NKJV). Loving Jesus and obeying Jesus belong together.

Jesus also explained why He called His disciples friends. A servant may simply receive instructions, but Jesus had shared with His disciples what He had heard from His Father. He was teaching them to know God and understand what He was doing.

And Jesus showed them how great His love was. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, NKJV). Soon afterward, Jesus would go to the cross.

What an amazing Friend! Jesus not only said that He loved His disciples. He showed His love through what He did.

When Jesus tells you what is right in His Word, you can trust Him. His commands are not meant to lead you away from what is good. The One commanding you is the One who loves you and gave Himself for sinners.

Sometimes obedience will be easy, and sometimes it will mean choosing what Jesus says when you would rather do something else. That is when you can remember who He is. You are not following a stranger. You are following the Savior who loves you and always speaks truth.

Knowing Jesus means learning to love Him, trust Him, and obey what He says.

There is no better Friend to follow than Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving Your people and showing that love by giving Your life for us. Help me listen to Your Word and obey what You command. When I want my own way, remind me that Your ways are good and that I can trust You. Teach me to know You more and follow You faithfully every day. Amen.

Jesus Teaches Me to Stay Close to Him

📖 “Abide in Me, and I in you.”
—John 15:4a (NKJV)

Jesus once used a grapevine to teach His disciples something very important. He said that He is the vine and those who belong to Him are the branches. A branch cannot grow grapes all by itself. It must stay connected to the vine.

Jesus said the same is true for us. He told His disciples, “Abide in Me.” To abide means to remain or stay. Jesus wants those who belong to Him to continue trusting Him, listening to His Word, and following Him.

Think about a branch growing on a grapevine. The branch does not struggle to become the vine. It simply remains connected, and the life of the vine produces fruit through it. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5, NKJV).

The fruit Jesus produces in our lives can be seen as we become more loving, obedient, patient, truthful, and kind. We do not produce this kind of life by trying to live apart from Him. Jesus said plainly, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NKJV).

You can stay close to Jesus by learning His Word, talking with Him in prayer, trusting what He says, and obeying Him. When you sin, do not hide from Him. Come to Him honestly, confess what you have done, and continue walking with Him.

Some days you may feel very close to Jesus, and other days you may not feel anything special at all. But following Jesus is not based only on feelings. You keep trusting His Word and walking with Him because He is faithful.

Knowing Jesus is more than knowing facts about Him. He calls you to remain with Him and follow Him throughout your life.

Stay close to Jesus. Just as a branch needs the vine, you need Him every day.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching me that I need You. Help me remain close to You by trusting Your Word, praying, and obeying what You say. When I am tempted to go my own way, remind me that apart from You I can do nothing. Help my life bear fruit that shows that I belong to You. Amen.

Jesus Gives Me Peace

📖 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NKJV)

Sometimes life can feel scary. Maybe you are worried about school, afraid of the dark, nervous about making new friends, or concerned because someone in your family is sick. Everyone feels afraid sometimes. Even Jesus’ disciples were worried when He told them He would soon leave them.

Jesus knew their hearts were troubled, so He gave them a wonderful promise. He told them that He would give them His peace. This peace is different from anything the world can offer. The world says peace comes when everything is going well. Jesus says His peace can remain in our hearts even when life is difficult because He is always with us.

When we remember that Jesus is in control, we do not have to let fear take over our hearts. We can pray, trust Him, and know that He cares about everything we face. His peace reminds us that no problem is bigger than He is.

Every time you begin to worry, take a moment to talk to Jesus. Tell Him exactly how you feel. Then remember His promise that He will never leave those who belong to Him. As you trust Him, He fills your heart with His peace.

Knowing Jesus means learning to rest in Him, even when life feels uncertain.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me Your peace. When I feel afraid or worried, help me remember that You are always with me. Teach me to trust You each day and to rest in Your loving care. Thank You for loving me and watching over me. Amen.

Jesus Helps Me Forgive Others

📖 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
—Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

Sometimes people may hurt your feelings, say something unkind, or do something wrong. When that happens, it can feel hard to forgive.

But Jesus teaches you to forgive others because He has forgiven you. Forgiveness means choosing not to hold on to anger or to try to hurt someone back.

Forgiving does not mean pretending wrong things never happened. It means giving your hurt to God and choosing love instead of bitterness.

Jesus helps your heart heal and gives you strength to forgive with kindness and grace.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me forgive others when they hurt me. Teach me to let go of anger and choose kindness and love instead. Thank You for forgiving me and helping my heart grow more like Yours. Amen.

Jesus Helps Me Serve Others

📖 “Through love serve one another.”
—Galatians 5:13b (NKJV)

Serving others means helping with a loving and willing heart. Jesus wants you to care for people and look for ways to help them.

You can serve others in simple ways—helping at home, sharing, encouraging someone, cleaning up, or praying for a friend. Small acts of kindness can show God’s love in big ways.

Jesus is the greatest example of serving others. He cared for people, helped them, and showed love wherever He went.

When you serve others with love, you follow the example of Jesus and bring joy to those around you.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me serve others with a loving heart. Teach me to notice when someone needs help and to care for people the way You do. Let my actions show Your love every day. Amen.

Jesus Helps Me Keep My Mind on What Is Good

📖 “Whatever things are true… noble… just… pure… lovely… of good report… meditate on these things.”
—Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

The things you think about are important. Your thoughts can bring peace and joy, or fill your heart with worry, anger, or fear.

God wants you to think about things that are true, good, and pleasing to Him. When you fill your mind with God’s Word and good things, it helps your heart stay peaceful and strong.

Sometimes, wrong thoughts or worries may come to mind. But Jesus helps you turn your thoughts back to what is good and true.

Reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and reflecting on God’s goodness all help keep your mind focused on Him.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me think about things that are true, good, and pleasing to You. Guard my mind from wrong thoughts and help me focus on Your Word and Your goodness every day. Amen.

Jesus Helps Me Be Brave

📖 “Be strong and of good courage… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)

Sometimes you may feel nervous, afraid, or unsure about something new or difficult. But God reminds you that you do not have to face anything alone.

Being brave does not mean you are never afraid. It means trusting God and moving forward even when you feel scared.

Joshua was told to be strong and courageous because God would always be with him. Jesus gives you that same comfort today. He is with you wherever you go.

When you trust Jesus, He strengthens your heart and gives you courage for each day.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me be brave and trust You when I feel afraid or unsure. Remind me that You are always with me and that I never face anything alone. Give me courage to follow You every day. Amen.