For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Paul keeps writing his long letter to God's family in Rome. He loves them, so he tells them the truth — even the parts that are hard to hear.
Today's Story
Have you ever pointed at someone and said, “Look what THEY did!” — and then a minute later you did almost the same thing yourself? Paul says we all do that.
In his letter, Paul gently says, “Be careful. When you point your finger at other people for doing wrong, you forget that you do wrong things too.”
It is so easy to notice when someone else is unkind. It is much harder to notice when we are unkind. We see other people's mistakes like they are written in big letters, but our own mistakes feel small and hidden.
God is not like that. God is fair. He does not just look at the outside — the way our hair is brushed or our nicest clothes. God looks all the way inside, at our hearts. He sees what we really think and how we really treat people when no one is watching.
And here is the kind part. Paul says God is patient. He is not waiting to catch us being bad. His kindness is gently leading us to turn around and come closer to Him.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Has anyone ever pointed out something you did wrong, when they had done the same thing? How did that feel?
- God looks at our hearts, not just the outside. What is something on the inside of you that you are glad God can see?
- Paul says God's kindness helps us turn back to Him. When have you felt better after saying sorry instead of hiding?