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President: Greg Yoder Editor: Courtney Lasater Design: Warren Kramer Editorial Assistant: Emily Tenter Editorial Intern: Carole Chee Theological review: Chad Bresson, Richard Vaughn, Kevin Zeller Coloring pages: Gina Graham Would you like to receive a free devotional at your house four times a year? US and Canada: Sign up for your free subscription by a. filling in the order form found on the enclosed card and sending it to: Keys for Kids Ministries • P.O. Box 1001 • Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1001 b. calling toll free 888-224-2324 to order c. placing the order on our website: keysforkids.org/getkeys Quantity orders, samples, or books to be sent to other international addresses can be ordered on our website: shop.keysforkids.org (or call for information). Note: Our mailing list is confidential and is not sold or given to others. Free subscriptions are made possible by the generous support of donors who see the value of bringing God’s Word to kids and families. To give, visit keysforkids.org/donate, or call 616-647-4500 or toll free 888-224-2324. Internet radio. Just for kids. keysforkids.net All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked CSB are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked ERV are taken from the Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version © 2014 by Bible League International. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the New Life Version, copyright © 1969 and 2003. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio, 44683. All rights reserved. © 2020 Keys for Kids Ministries, Box 1001, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-1001. Printed quarterly in the USA. 1 JUNE 1 FORGOTTEN COMBINATION READ: PROVERBS 7:1-3 .can’t get my new locker open.” Kadence frowned at the paper in her hand. I “Here, take this and read the numbers to me, will you, Aubree?” “Sure.” Aubree read the directions slowly as Kadence turned the dial, and soon the door opened. “You’d better memorize that combination,” said Aubree. “Nah,” said Kadence. “I’ll just take a picture of it so it’s on my tablet.” She held her tablet over the piece of paper, snapped a picture, then threw the paper away. “We have a new verse for the week,” Mom said when Kadence got home, pointing to a white board on the wall with a Bible verse written on it. “Let’s say it together before each meal and work on memorizing it.” “Oh, Mom,” said Kadence. “Why do we have to learn a verse every week? I hate memorizing! What’s the point? If I ever need to know a verse, I can just look it up.” “It’s hard to look up a verse if you don’t know the words of it,” Mom replied. “And memorizing Scripture isn’t just about having a verse ready when you need it. It’s about treasuring God’s Word and putting it in your heart. When you do that, you carry the truth and promises of Jesus with you, and they affect your decisions and the way you live.” Kadence sighed, then quickly changed the subject. “We have new combination lockers at school.” “What’s your combination?” asked Mom. “I don’t remember, but I took a picture of it with my…” Kadence looked up suddenly. “Tablet.” She quickly rifled through her backpack. “And I set my tablet in my locker when I was getting ready to leave and forgot to take it out!” she wailed. “What am I going to do?” “I’m sure you can get the number at the office,” Mom suggested. “Yeah,” Kadence said. “I guess I’ll have to go in early and get it.” Mom tapped her temple. “Just goes to show why we need to keep some things here and not rely on technology for everything.” She tapped the area over her heart. “And here too.” Kadence smiled. “Okay, Mom. I see your point.” She turned to the white board and read the verse out loud. BARBARA J. WESTBERG MEMORIZE BIBLE VERSES KEY VERSE: LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM. COLOSSIANS 3:16 Does God’s Word “dwell in you richly,” as today’s Key Verse says? In order for it to do that, you need to know what it says. The Bible is precious because it tells us who Jesus is and what He’s done to save us. As you read your Bible and memorize verses, God’s truth and promises will make an impression on your heart and have an effect in your life. You can do it. Start today! 70 ACTIVITY Unlock God’s Word Do you memorize Bible verses? It’s a great way to learn God’s Word. One technique you can use is to split the verse up into bite-sized chunks and learn a little at a time. Here’s a craft to help you do that! 1) Cut out the square below and the arrow dial to the right (or make a copy of this page using a printer). Place the dial over the lock and attach it with a paper fastener so it can spin around. Then put it on your fridge or bulletin board. 2) Choose a verse you want to learn and split it into four “chunks” (today’s Key Verse is already done for you as an example). Place each chunk at one of the numbers around the dial (first chunk at 0, second at 5, etc.). 3) Set the dial to the first number and work on memorizing that chunk. When you know it, set the dial to the next number and work on that part. Keep adding each new bit to the part you already know. (You can even turn the dial as you recite each part of the verse to help you remember.) 4) Once you’ve memorized the whole verse, choose a new one to memorize. Cut out dial, place Put the new verse chunks around the lock (you can use the lines provided over lock with or tape pieces of paper on top if you need more room). See if you can paper fastener memorize one new verse a week—and recite ones you’ve already learned too! FIRST PART OF BIBLE PASSAGE: Let the word of Christ 1____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ FINAL PART OF BIBLE PASSAGE: SECOND PART OF BIBLE PASSAGE: Colossians 3:16 dwell in you richly 4____________________________________ 2____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ THIRD PART OF BIBLE PASSAGE: in all wisdom. 3____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ 71 JUNE 2 AN OLD PIECE OF WOOD READ: ISAIAH 64:6; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 arter was helping his dad pile firewood in the backyard when their next-door Cneighbor came over. “Looks like you’ve got some nice walnut here,” Mr. Stevens remarked as he stooped down and picked up a piece of wood that Carter’s dad had trimmed off a tree. “Mind if I borrow this for a week?” “For a week?” asked Dad. He smiled. “Help yourself—there’s no need to return it. If you see anything else you can use, you’re welcome to it.” “Thanks,” said Mr. Stevens, “but this will do for now.” With a wave, he turned and carried the piece of wood into his garage. “I wonder why Mr. Stevens wants that chunk of wood,” said Carter. Dad shrugged. “I don’t know. I should have asked him.” They found out why a week later when they were grilling burgers in the backyard. Mr. Stevens came over to return the piece of walnut—but now it wasn’t a chunk of firewood anymore. It was a beautifully carved mallard duck. “I know you said I didn’t have to return this,” said Mr. Stevens with a grin, “but I want you to have it.” “It’s beautiful!” said Dad. “Thank you! We’ll put this on our fireplace mantle instead of in the fire.” “Wow!” Carter said. “Look what you did with just an old piece of wood!” The neighbor smiled. “I enjoy carving things. When I see an old piece of wood change into something beautiful, I’m reminded of what Jesus did for me. I was a sinner living a life of selfishness and pride, but Jesus took me and made me a new person!” “Oh?” said Carter’s dad. “Interesting. I know a little about Jesus, but I’ve never heard anyone talk about Him like that before.” “Me neither,” said Carter. “Can Jesus change anyone into a new person?” Mr. Stevens nodded. “He saved me from sin, just like I saved that old piece of wood from the burn pile, and He gave me a new life. And He will do the same for you.” Carter pointed to the carving. “Can I take it in and show Mom?” “Sure.” Dad handed him the duck, then looked at his neighbor. “Thanks again. You’ve given me something to think about.” LINDA M.