Conflict & Calling: Kid's Devotional

Day 1 – Jesus Really Sees You

Read: Luke 5:27-32

When Jesus walked by Matthew’s tax booth, the Bible says He *saw* him. That doesn’t mean He just glanced at him. It means Jesus really looked at Matthew and knew everything about him—his job, his sin, his secrets, and his hurt.

Everybody else thought Matthew was a bad guy and a traitor. But Jesus didn’t only see Matthew’s mistakes. He saw who Matthew could be if he followed Him.

Jesus sees you the same way. He knows the things you’re proud of and the things you’re ashamed of. He knows the things you try to hide. And He still says, “Follow Me.”

He doesn’t look at you with anger. He looks at you with love and compassion.

Think about it:

- Is there something you feel guilty or embarrassed about?
- Talk to Jesus about it. He already knows—and He still loves you.

Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You that You really see me and still love me. Help me trust that nothing can make You stop loving me. Amen.”

Day 2 – Get Up and Follow!

Read: Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” Matthew got up and left his old life behind. The Bible says he *rose up*. That’s the same kind of word used when Jesus rose from the dead!

Before we know Jesus, the Bible says we are “dead” in our sins on the inside. That means we can’t fix ourselves or save ourselves. But God, because He is so loving, makes us alive with Jesus when we trust in Him.

Matthew didn’t just squeeze Jesus into his old life. He let Jesus *change his life*.

Think about it:

- Are there things you do, say, or watch that you know don’t please Jesus?
- Is there anything you feel like Jesus is asking you to “get up” and leave behind?

Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for making people alive on the inside when they trust You. Show me what I need to leave behind so I can follow You better. Amen.”

Day 3 – A Party for Sinners

Read: Luke 15:11-24

After Matthew followed Jesus, he threw a big dinner and invited all his friends—other tax collectors and sinners—to meet Jesus. It was like a giant “Jesus party”!

In the story of the prodigal son, the father doesn’t shout at his son or send him away when he comes home dirty and ashamed. He runs to him, hugs him, forgives him, and throws a party.

That’s what Jesus is like. He doesn’t say, “Clean yourself up first, then maybe I’ll accept you.” He welcomes us when we come to Him and then He helps us change.

Being a Christian isn’t supposed to be just rules and frowning. It’s like being invited to the happiest celebration ever because you were lost and now you’re found.

Think about it:

- Do you think of following Jesus more like a party or like a chore?
- Is there someone at school or in your neighborhood who seems left out or “too bad” to be loved by God? (Hint: no one is too bad!)

Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You that You welcome sinners—even me. Help me share Your joy with others and invite them to know You too. Amen.”


Day 4 – A Brand-New You

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Jesus said new wine can’t be put in old wineskins. That meant His message wasn’t just a little “fix” to the old way of doing things. It was something totally new.

The Bible says that when someone is in Christ, they are a *new creation*. The old has gone, the new has come. That doesn’t mean you get a new body right away, but it does mean God starts changing your heart, your choices, and even how you treat other people.

God doesn’t want us to just “add” Jesus to our old life and keep living the same way. He wants to give us a new heart that loves what He loves.

Think about it:

- Are you trying to just squeeze Jesus into your life when it’s convenient?
- Or are you asking Him to be in charge of *all* of your life—your words, thoughts, and actions?

Prayer:  
“God, thank You that You make us new in Jesus. Don’t let me just stay the same. Change my heart so I live the way You want me to live. Amen.”


Day 5 – From Secret Shame to Special Story

Read: Revelation 19:6-9

Remember the girl who spilled nail polish on the white couch and tried to hide the stain? At first, the stain made her feel scared and ashamed. But later, it became a *story* she told about her parents’ love and forgiveness.

That’s what God can do with our sins and failures. When we admit them to Him and trust in Jesus, He forgives us and cleans our hearts. Then those things that used to make us ashamed can become part of our *testimony*—our story about how good God is.

One day, everyone who belongs to Jesus will be at a giant celebration in heaven called “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” It’s like the biggest, happiest party ever, celebrating that we are finally with Jesus forever, completely forgiven and made new.

Until that day, every time we talk about what Jesus has done, we are sharing the good news so others can be there too.

Think about it:

- Is there something from your past you wish no one knew about?
- How could God use your story to help someone else know that Jesus forgives and loves them too?

Prayer: 
“Jesus, thank You that You can turn my shame into a story that shows how wonderful You are. Help me not to hide from You, but to trust You and share what You’ve done in my life. Amen.”