For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
God told a tiny story about a grapevine to help His people remember something important — a branch is only good for one thing, and it needs to stay connected to do it.
Today's Story
God gave Ezekiel a little riddle about a grapevine. “Think about the wood of a grapevine,” God said. “What is it good for?”
Here is the funny thing about grapevine wood. You cannot build a chair out of it. You cannot make a strong shelf or even a little peg to hang your coat on. The branches are bendy and thin. As wood, they are not good for much at all.
So what makes a grapevine so special? The grapes! When a branch stays joined to the vine, something wonderful happens — sweet, juicy grapes grow right out of it. That is the whole reason a grapevine is so precious.
But a branch that breaks off and lies on the ground all by itself? It cannot grow a single grape. It just dries up.
God was teaching His people a gentle lesson: stay close to Me. A branch only does the beautiful thing it was made for when it stays connected to the vine. And we are like that too — we grow good and beautiful things in our lives when we stay close to God.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- What are some ways you stay close to people you love — hugs, talking, spending time together? How could you stay close to God in ways like that?
- A branch can only grow grapes if it stays joined to the vine. Why do you think good things grow in our lives when we stay close to God?
- A branch all by itself dries up. What helps you remember to stay connected to God even on busy days?