Have you ever gone on a really long walk? I like going for hikes along a trail in the woods near my house. The trail is eight kilometres long, so it takes me a few hours to complete.
Imagine you are on a long walk for 40 days. It is hot out and you do not have food or water. Somebody comes up to you and offers you a cold glass of water, but they tell you that to drink it, you must do something that would be hurtful to yourself or others. If you’re thirsty, it would be very hard to say no, wouldn’t it?
This exact thing happened to Jesus once. He was in the desert for 40 days without anything to eat or drink when Satan tempted him to do something wrong. Read this issue of Just for Kids to see how Jesus responded.
Your friend, Abby
Did You Know?
Canada is home to just one desert —the Okanagan Desert in southern British Columbia. The largest town in the area is called Osoyoos. What makes it a desert? Basically, it’s hot, dry and sunny. In the month of August, Osoyoos sees an average of just 12 millimetres of rain.
ISSUE 40
Jesus Resists Temptation
One day, Jesus went to a quiet, lonely place in the desert. Jesus was getting ready to do important work for God. Jesus stayed in the desert for 40 days. He did not eat anything the whole time.
At the end of 40 days, God’s enemy, Satan, came to see Jesus. Satan wanted Jesus to do something that was wrong.
Satan knew Jesus was very hungry.
Satan showed Jesus a stone. “If You want to, You can turn this stone into bread,” Satan said.
“No,” replied Jesus, “God’s Word says: ‘Man does not live
on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Satan did not give up. He took Jesus to the top of a very tall building. “You can prove to everyone You are God’s Son,” Satan said. “If You jump off this building, angels will come and save You.” But Jesus again said no because in God’s Word it says: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Satan still did not give up. He took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain. He showed Jesus the whole world. “If You worship me instead of God, I will give You this whole world,” Satan said to Jesus.
Jesus said: “No! God’s Word says: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Satan tempted Jesus, but Jesus was ready to do the right thing.
Make sure that no one pays back one wrong act with another. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. —1 Thessalonians 5:15
in the Desert
Hi kids!
Every year at Thanksgiving, my family goes around the table and each person says something for which they are thankful. This year, I am thankful for the people in my life who are good—my friends, family, neighbours and church members. They are supportive, friendly and treat others with kindness. I try to always treat people with kindness, too. Someone once asked me, “If someone read a book of everything you have ever said, how would you feel?” and it made me think about how important it is to be good to people. Would your book be filled with good, kind, nice, funny, friendly words? Or would there be words in there that you regret saying?
There’s no way to remember everything we have said and done. But we should always try to say things that are good, loving and kind, because that is what God would do.
This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, be sure to thank all the people in your life who show you kindness.
Your friend, Abby
Word Wizard
Unscramble these Thanksgiving words.
The words of thoughtless people cut like swords. But the tongue of wise people brings healing.
—Proverbs 12:18
What does this mean?
Our words can be used for good, but they can also be used like weapons. If we do not think before we speak, we might say something that we do not mean. This can be hurtful to others. But if we choose our words carefully, we can make sure that they always come from a place of kindness and love.
41-10/12/24
Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368- 626X Congratulations!
What key has legs and can’t open doors? A turkey Why was the turkey the drummer in the band? Because he had the drumsticks
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—Lethbridge Community Church celebrates the enrolment of three junior soldiers and two cradle roll members at a parking lot pizza party. Congratulations to junior soldiers Logan Turcott, Chase Schafer and Brooklynn Turcott, and cradle roll members Bently Schlak and Rhylee Savoie!
Hi kids!
My sister and I are really great friends—but we don’t always get along. Sometimes we disagree or refuse to share things. Other times, one of us might say something that upsets the other. Even when we’re angry, we always remember that we love each other.
Anger is a normal emotion. It’s OK to feel angry! The key is to stop, think and decide how you want to respond. Instead of reacting in anger, you can choose your actions. As you’ll read in this week’s Bible story, David had every reason to be angry with Saul. But when he had the chance to hurt Saul, he said no.
If you find yourself feeling angry this week, pray and ask God to help you be wise and stay calm.
Your friend, Abby
David and Saul Search
David Spares Saul’s Life
SISSUE42
aul was the king of Israel. But God was unhappy with how Saul was ruling. So God decided to make David king instead. But David was still young. God was waiting for the right time to give David the kingdom.
In the meantime, Saul started to hate David and wanted to kill him. David ran away from Saul, but Saul and his soldiers chased after David.
One day, Saul was out looking for David when he came upon a cave. He decided to go inside and have a rest.
David and his friends were near the cave and saw Saul go in.
David’s friends encouraged him to kill Saul while he had the chance. It would be so easy.
David came up close to Saul without being seen. He cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
Later, David felt sorry that he had done this. He said to his friends, “May the Lord keep me from doing a thing like that again to Saul. I promise that I will never lay my hand on him.”
After Saul left the cave, David followed him. He called out to Saul, “Look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut it off. But I didn’t kill you. Even though my friends told me I should.”
“You are a better person than I am,” Saul responded. “May God reward you because of the way you treated me today.”
David promised he wouldn’t kill Saul or any of his family members. And then they both went on their way.
David Finds Saul
Keep Calm and Carry On
Need help keeping your cool when feeling angry? Try these tips:
• Take 10 slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Exercise. Run around outside, do jumping jacks, kick a ball, skip rope. Get some energy out.
• Draw or write. Express your feelings.
Find 10 Differences
When is a piece of
like a king? When it’s a ruler
Hi kids!
One of my favourite treats to bake is banana bread. I like to add chocolate chips to make it extra sweet! I often bake banana bread to give to my friends and family, and I always keep a loaf (or two) for myself. But the last time I made it, I ate way too much. As yummy as it tasted, I didn’t feel too good after.
There is a proverb in the Bible that warns us not to have too much of a good thing—even banana bread! This doesn’t mean that we cannot enjoy things that make us feel happy, such as desserts, video games, TV, shopping or sleeping in. But we should enjoy them in moderation because too much of a good thing can be harmful. I still love banana bread, but as tempting as it might be, I’ll think twice before eating too much!
Your friend, Abby
What is a proverb?
A proverb is a short verse that has an important lesson or teaching, and there are hundreds of them in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. We can use these to guide us, help us learn more about God and understand right from wrong.
Baking Word Search
WINNIPEG—Heritage Park Temple is excited to enrol Oliver Moulton, Ryan MacFarlane, Maxwell Akpan and Rebecca Brown as junior soldiers. Well done!
