Category: Children’s Devotionals

“Jesus Was Hated—But He Still Loved”

📖 “They hated Me without a cause.”
—John 15:25b (NKJV)

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Have you ever had someone not like you—and you didn’t even know why?

That can feel confusing and sad.

Jesus felt that too.

People hated Him, even though He never did anything wrong.
He told the truth. He healed the sick. He showed love.
Still, some people were angry with Him… just because He was different.

But do you know what Jesus did?

He kept loving them.

He didn’t fight back. He didn’t stop helping people.
He kept showing God’s love—even to the people who hated Him.

When people treat us badly for being like Jesus, we can remember:
Jesus understands… and He can help us do what’s right.

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Think About It:

• Why do you think some people didn’t like Jesus?
  
• What can you do when someone is unkind to you?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for loving people—even when they didn’t love You back. Help me love others like You do, even when it’s hard. Amen.

“Jesus Went First”

📖 “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…”
—John 15:20a (NKJV)

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Have you ever been laughed at for doing the right thing?

Maybe someone didn’t want to play with you because you talked about Jesus, or you wouldn’t join in doing something wrong.

That can feel really hard.

But guess what? Jesus went through it first.

People were mean to Him.
They didn’t believe Him.
They said things that weren’t true.

But He kept obeying God—because He loved His Father and He loved you.

And now, He wants to help you do the same.

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Think About It:

• Can you think of a time when doing the right thing felt hard?
  
• What can you remember about Jesus when that happens again?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for going first. You know what it feels like when people are mean or don’t understand. Help me be brave and keep doing what’s right, just like You did. Amen.

“Jesus Chose You”

📖 “…I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
—John 15:19 (NKJV)

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Have you ever played a game where someone picked teams?

It feels so good to be chosen, right?

Well, Jesus says something even more special:
He chose YOU—to be part of His Kingdom.

That means you belong to Him, not the world.
And sometimes, the world won’t like the way you live for Jesus.

But that’s okay.

Because being chosen by Jesus means:

• You are loved
  
• You are never alone
  
• You have a forever family in God’s people
  

So when you feel different for doing what’s right, remember—you’re walking with the One who picked you on His team.

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Think About It:

• What does it mean to belong to Jesus?
  
• How can you live like someone who was chosen by Him?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for choosing me to be Yours. Help me live in a way that shows I belong to You, even when it’s hard. Amen.

“Ask in Jesus’ Name”

📖 “…that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
—John 15:16b (NKJV)

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Have you ever asked for something in someone else’s name?

Jesus tells us something special:
We can ask God the Father in His name—because we belong to Him!

That means when we pray, we’re not just hoping.
We’re talking to God as His children, and Jesus is the reason we can come close.

But praying in Jesus’ name doesn’t mean asking for anything we want.
It means praying for what Jesus would want—like love, truth, kindness, and help for others.

When we ask like that, God listens.

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Think About It:

• What’s something good you can ask God for today—in Jesus’ name?
  
• Can you pray for someone else today?
  

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Prayer:
Father, thank You for letting me talk to You. I want to ask for things that make Jesus happy. Help me remember that I can come to You because I belong to Him. Amen.

“Jesus Chose You!”

📖 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you…”
—John 15:16a (NKJV)

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Have you ever been chosen to be on a team or picked for something special?

It feels really good, doesn’t it?

Jesus says something amazing: “I chose you.”
He didn’t forget about you. He didn’t wait for you to be perfect.
He picked you because He loves you and wants you to be close to Him.

He also wants your life to grow something good—like kindness, love, and truth. That’s called fruit!

You’re not just a kid. You’re someone Jesus chose.
And He wants to grow beautiful things in your heart.

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Think About It:

• How does it make you feel to know that Jesus chose you?
  
• What kind of “fruit” do you want to grow in your life?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for choosing me! Help me grow good things in my heart that make You happy. I want to follow You every day. Amen.

“Jesus Wants to Be Your Friend”

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

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Do you have a best friend?

Jesus wants to be your very best friend—one you can talk to, trust, and follow every day.

But Jesus says something important:
“If you obey Me, then you’re truly My friend.”

That means when we listen to what Jesus teaches us in the Bible—like being kind, telling the truth, and loving others—we show that we really care about Him.

Obeying Jesus isn’t just about rules. It’s about loving Him back.

You’re never too young to be a true friend of Jesus.

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Think About It:

• What is one thing Jesus asks us to do in the Bible?
  
• How can you show Him you’re His friend today?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, I want to be Your friend. Help me listen to You and obey what You say in the Bible. I love You. Amen.

“Stay Close to Jesus”

📖 “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
—John 15:5a (NKJV)

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Have you ever seen a tree branch full of apples or grapes?

That branch can only grow fruit if it stays connected to the tree or vine. If it breaks off, it can’t grow anything.

Jesus says we are like branches, and He is the vine.
When we stay close to Him—by praying, reading the Bible, and obeying—we grow things like love, joy, and kindness.

But when we try to do life without Jesus, we get tired and grumpy.
So stay connected to Him!
Talk to Him. Listen. Trust Him. That’s how you grow.

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Think About It:

• How can you “stay close” to Jesus today?
  
• What kind of fruit do you want to grow in your life?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, help me stay close to You. I want to grow good fruit like love and kindness. Thank You for being with me every day. Amen.

“Don’t Be Afraid”

📖 “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
—John 14:27b (NKJV)

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Do you ever feel worried or scared?

Jesus knew that we would sometimes feel that way. That’s why He said,
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Don’t be afraid.”

When we follow Jesus, we don’t have to stay afraid. We can tell Him how we feel, and the Holy Spirit will help us feel calm again.

It’s okay to feel scared sometimes, but we don’t have to stay that way.
Jesus is with you, and He gives you peace.

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Think About It:

• What do you do when you feel scared?
  
• Can you stop and talk to Jesus in that moment?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, sometimes I feel afraid. Please help my heart feel calm and peaceful. Thank You for being with me. Amen.

“Jesus Gives Us Peace”

📖 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…”
—John 14:27a (NKJV)

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Have you ever been afraid during a storm, before a test, or when you were all alone? Everyone feels afraid sometimes.

But Jesus gives us something special to help when we’re scared: peace.

His peace is like a calm in your heart—even when things around you feel big or scary.
It’s knowing that Jesus is with you, no matter what.

The peace Jesus gives doesn’t go away when life gets hard. It stays because He stays.

So the next time you feel afraid, stop and pray:
“Jesus, please give me Your peace.”
He loves to answer that prayer.

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Think About It:

• What does peace feel like to you?
  
• Is there something you can trust Jesus with today?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for giving me peace that stays. Help me trust You when I feel afraid or worried. I know You’re with me. Amen.